UVU Diversity Dialogue Discussion
Sitting in a room full of strangers can be intimidating, especially if you are all sitting in a circle facing each other. The thought of speaking up or making a comment can be nerve-racking. Everyone has the ability to see your face and it can feel as if everyone is staring at you. On the other hand, this setting can be better for interactions within the group. Everyone can feel as if they are on the same playing field and no one feels left out. This is the goal that has been set when attending a Diversity Dialogue at Utah Valley University (UVU). The purpose of sitting in a circle in one of these sessions is so that everyone is included, has a voice and feels equal. These dialogues were developed as a way for students to come together, from all different backgrounds, to discuss a variety of topics.
For two years I have walked by the Center for Global and Intercultural Engagement office. I have seen events posted and have briefly interacted with a few of the students. I had always wondered about the events they held, but felt that I was not “invited” to these events, as I thought you had to be an “international” student or a “minority” student. During one of my classes, the instructor brought up the Diversity Dialogues and encouraged the students to attend one. I looked up the event calendar and found one that would align with my class schedule.
As if walking into a room full of strangers wasn’t intimidating enough, to do it late was even more embarrassing. I quickly grabbed a seat behind the circle, thinking I could just sit back and observe. However, that wasn’t going to happen. The circle opened up and I was invited by the lady in front of me to scoot my chair into the circle. Everyone was doing introductions and I felt a little bit of relief that I wasn’t going to be required to do so. The introductions finished and the organizer, Cristobal, introduced the topic. He began by reminding everyone that the circle was a neutral zone and all opinions and feelings were welcomed. He then spoke about the importance of personal identity and the groups in which we belonged to. He explained that some of us may belong to religious associations or cultural associations. Some may identify by the color of their skin even. He then asked for volunteers to tell their identities. As I sat back and listened, I began to reflect on my own identity and how I had been asked to do this in many of my classes. Many of the students who spoke connected their identity to the color of their skin, their nationality, and their gender. Many stated they get frustrated with others when asked where they are from, as they feel it is not an appropriate question to be asked. This started a big discussion within the group as many had strong opinions on how it should be asked and when is the appropriate time to do so. As the discussion continued, I started to reflect back on how I have felt when I have been out of the country and have been asked about my own identity.
Typically I am one of the few Caucasian and American’s in my current line of work and I am quite often asked about where I am from. Due to the industry in which I work in, I’ve never felt as if this question could or would be out of line. I just felt like it was part of the industry and could understand why people would as the question, seeing how there are typically 30 different nationalities in which I work with on any given day. As I listened to the discussion, I learned that some felt that the context in which they were asked about their identity was inappropriate. For example, one student was asked where she was from during a job interview. She felt that this question was not relevant to the interview and how it was relevant to her being a candidate for the job. Another student stated how they found it offensive that when someone asked him where he was from, the person would immediately guess where the student was from before he could even say. He found it to be offensive as most often people would guess incorrectly. Listening to the various opinions on the topic, I started to see and understand each student’s view and how the simple question of asking a person where they are from could be offensive. I started to wonder if I had ever offended anyone when asking them and had hoped that I didn’t.
The conversation continued to how we try and mask our own identities. As I wanted to feel more involved, I made a comment. I expressed how I often try to hide what I do for a career as it makes feel awkward at times. I explained that due to my travel experiences, professors and students will often treat me differently in class. I explained that some of my peers, both on and off of campus, have made me feel that I don’t have a “real job” or a “typical Utah job” and how that makes me feel as if I am viewed differently. I also stated how some of my teachers will call on me numerous times to talk about my experiences and there are times that I don’t see how my career is relevant to what is being talked about in the class room. Some students were surprised to hear of my desire to hide my career from others as they found it to be very interesting. However, I felt that was kind of the point of the discussion. I learned that some of us may be intrigued or interested in a person’s identity, therefore asking questions as a way to become closer to the person or connect with them. However, it is the ways in which the “prodding” is done that can be viewed as offensive or inappropriate.
As the dialogue concluded, I felt a sense of relief come over me. I discovered that there were many other students who had feelings the same as mine. I felt as if these students who once were strangers were now my friends. We had all sat down to have a discussion, all coming from different backgrounds and cultures. We were able to do so in a non-judgmental environment. During my drive home, I reflected back to this experience. I wondered what it would be like in this world if we all just sat down occasionally to discuss our differences and various topics. I wondered if in by doing this if we could resolved conflicts easier and if we could all learn to work together more effectively, without judgement or harm.
A circle, although seems to be a simple shape, means so much more! The ability to connect, share and engage with other students was all possible due to this shape. What at first seemed intimidating and fearful, became a symbol for unity and bonding. As we go through our lives, we will encounter diversity. It is important that we embrace it with an open mind and heart, as it is through these experiences that we may learn more about others and ourselves.
For two years I have walked by the Center for Global and Intercultural Engagement office. I have seen events posted and have briefly interacted with a few of the students. I had always wondered about the events they held, but felt that I was not “invited” to these events, as I thought you had to be an “international” student or a “minority” student. During one of my classes, the instructor brought up the Diversity Dialogues and encouraged the students to attend one. I looked up the event calendar and found one that would align with my class schedule.
As if walking into a room full of strangers wasn’t intimidating enough, to do it late was even more embarrassing. I quickly grabbed a seat behind the circle, thinking I could just sit back and observe. However, that wasn’t going to happen. The circle opened up and I was invited by the lady in front of me to scoot my chair into the circle. Everyone was doing introductions and I felt a little bit of relief that I wasn’t going to be required to do so. The introductions finished and the organizer, Cristobal, introduced the topic. He began by reminding everyone that the circle was a neutral zone and all opinions and feelings were welcomed. He then spoke about the importance of personal identity and the groups in which we belonged to. He explained that some of us may belong to religious associations or cultural associations. Some may identify by the color of their skin even. He then asked for volunteers to tell their identities. As I sat back and listened, I began to reflect on my own identity and how I had been asked to do this in many of my classes. Many of the students who spoke connected their identity to the color of their skin, their nationality, and their gender. Many stated they get frustrated with others when asked where they are from, as they feel it is not an appropriate question to be asked. This started a big discussion within the group as many had strong opinions on how it should be asked and when is the appropriate time to do so. As the discussion continued, I started to reflect back on how I have felt when I have been out of the country and have been asked about my own identity.
Typically I am one of the few Caucasian and American’s in my current line of work and I am quite often asked about where I am from. Due to the industry in which I work in, I’ve never felt as if this question could or would be out of line. I just felt like it was part of the industry and could understand why people would as the question, seeing how there are typically 30 different nationalities in which I work with on any given day. As I listened to the discussion, I learned that some felt that the context in which they were asked about their identity was inappropriate. For example, one student was asked where she was from during a job interview. She felt that this question was not relevant to the interview and how it was relevant to her being a candidate for the job. Another student stated how they found it offensive that when someone asked him where he was from, the person would immediately guess where the student was from before he could even say. He found it to be offensive as most often people would guess incorrectly. Listening to the various opinions on the topic, I started to see and understand each student’s view and how the simple question of asking a person where they are from could be offensive. I started to wonder if I had ever offended anyone when asking them and had hoped that I didn’t.
The conversation continued to how we try and mask our own identities. As I wanted to feel more involved, I made a comment. I expressed how I often try to hide what I do for a career as it makes feel awkward at times. I explained that due to my travel experiences, professors and students will often treat me differently in class. I explained that some of my peers, both on and off of campus, have made me feel that I don’t have a “real job” or a “typical Utah job” and how that makes me feel as if I am viewed differently. I also stated how some of my teachers will call on me numerous times to talk about my experiences and there are times that I don’t see how my career is relevant to what is being talked about in the class room. Some students were surprised to hear of my desire to hide my career from others as they found it to be very interesting. However, I felt that was kind of the point of the discussion. I learned that some of us may be intrigued or interested in a person’s identity, therefore asking questions as a way to become closer to the person or connect with them. However, it is the ways in which the “prodding” is done that can be viewed as offensive or inappropriate.
As the dialogue concluded, I felt a sense of relief come over me. I discovered that there were many other students who had feelings the same as mine. I felt as if these students who once were strangers were now my friends. We had all sat down to have a discussion, all coming from different backgrounds and cultures. We were able to do so in a non-judgmental environment. During my drive home, I reflected back to this experience. I wondered what it would be like in this world if we all just sat down occasionally to discuss our differences and various topics. I wondered if in by doing this if we could resolved conflicts easier and if we could all learn to work together more effectively, without judgement or harm.
A circle, although seems to be a simple shape, means so much more! The ability to connect, share and engage with other students was all possible due to this shape. What at first seemed intimidating and fearful, became a symbol for unity and bonding. As we go through our lives, we will encounter diversity. It is important that we embrace it with an open mind and heart, as it is through these experiences that we may learn more about others and ourselves.
