Cultural Professionalism , Inclusion & Competency

1. U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service Cultural Professionalism , Inclusion & Competency

2. Our interpersonal skills greatly impact our ability to gain people’s respect and trust. - Anonymous None of us alone can save the nation or world. But each of us can make a positive difference if we commit ourselves to do so. - Cornel West

3. Introduction • Who are we? • CRS 101 • Outline of what our time together will look like

4. Objective of the Training • Not to teach you tolerance • Not to make you love others Instead: • Raise level of awareness • Focus on issues of communication • Understanding • Respect

5. Ice Breaker Exercise • Find someone you do not know that well that interview him/her and vice versa • Name • Something about him/her that people do not know • How he/she identifies him/herself ethnically or racially • Whether that self-identification has caused any problems in the past or present professionally, personally or socially • Introduce your partner to the group and vice versa • Why did we take the time to do this exercise?

6. Break • 10 minutes

7. Culture: What is it to you? What are your expectations of our time together today?

8. Cultural Iceberg

9. Primary Dimensions of Diversity U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs

10. Primary & Secondary Dimensions of Diversity U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs

11. Prejudice and Bias • How many of you think you are prejudice? • How many of you think you are bias?

12. Prejudice • a. an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts • b. a preconceived preference or idea

13. Bias • A prejudice in a general or specific sense, usually in the sense of having a preference to one particular point of view or ideological perspective • However, one is generally only said to be biased if one’s powers of judgment are influenced by the biases one holds, to the extent that one’s views could not be taken as being neutral or objective, but instead as subjective

14. Bias • In practice, accusations of bias often result from a perception of unacknowledged favoritism on the part of any person in a position requiring the careful and disinterested exercise of arbitration or assessment • Any tendency to favor a certain set of values naturally leads to an uneven dispensing of judgment

15. -Prejudice to Microaggressions Today, explicit prejudice is uncommon; rather, prejudice is expressed as a microaggression. Microaggression - brief, common, and usually subtle insult based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. Can be verbal or non-verbal, and is usually unintentional Experienced as disrespecting, demeaning, or insulting. Microassaults - racial slurs Microinsults - making a comment that reflects subtle bias Microinvalidations - being dismissive of someone because of their cultural background

16. Examples of Microaggressions • A White woman clutches her purse as a Black or Latino man approaches or passes them.  • An Asian American, born and raised in the United States, is complimented for speaking "good English.”

17. Stereotypes • Generalizations based on minimal or limited knowledge about a group to which the person doing the stereotyping does not belong • Stereotypes many be positive or negative in tone

18. Exercise on Conditioning • Influenced by culture • Religion • Education • Parents • Experiences • Media • Perceptions • Assumptions • Fear/anxiety

19. Exercise on conditioning Our perceptions of the world are directly related to our senses, i.e., what we see, what we hear and what we feel

20. How to control or minimize issues? • Become a “high self-monitor” • What does that mean? • Know your personal “triggers” or “hot buttons” - statements that get you angry - actions that get you angry - actions that frighten you - statements that hurt you most

21. How to control or minimize issues? • Be aware of self-sabotage: - words you speak - tone of voice - body language - not practicing basic good manners - not smiling

22. How to control or minimize issues? • Build genuine goodwill by being kind to everyone • Understand that people are naturally “wired” to respond most strongly for survival • Learn the equation: E+R = O; to state it differently, the “Event” + “Response” = “Outcome” • It is not the event itself which causes stress, it is the way we respond to the events that cause stress. The event is what is it.

23. How to control or minimize issues Some suggested techniques on dealing with your “triggers” or “hot buttons” • Think about comments, issues and behaviors which may trigger you • Do a mental practice with your “triggers” or “hot buttons” e.g. If_______ happens, I will do/say______. • Be conscious of your normal response to hot buttons and make a conscious effort to break the pattern and respond differently • Acknowledge the person’s comment, e.g. I hear what you are saying; let me share my thoughts/experience • Use “I” statements instead of “You” statements

24. Teaching point • Learn de-escalation techniques • Recognize triggers • “baggage” – we all have some

25. Teaching point When someone is angry and complaining, let him/her vent. Do not interrupt or argue with him/her. *Pre-Vent

26. Teaching point Listen actively to the person. It shows the person • Respect • That he/she is important • That you are interested in what is being said • Provides insight to a perspective on the conflict • Provides date to assist in resolving issues • Helps build relationships

27. Teaching point In appropriate situations, ask: “Is there anything else you would like to add?” Say: “What would make this situation better?”

28. Teaching point Seek clarification of issues (what, how, when, where, and who) avoid asking “why.” Why questions seek mental processes of others and could lead to speculation.

29. Miscellaneous Health and Related Issues • Stress • Not enough sleep • Improper diet • Personal issues (learn how to compartmentalize)

30. Closing thoughts We all live on a small piece of real estate called earth. We must either learn to live and respect each other to survive or we will all perish together. Anonymous What we do today will mark what our children will look back at as our history. Aroostook Band of Micmac You were created as different nations and tribes, not that you should despise one another but that you should know one another. Holy Quran, Sura 49

31. What is the Ultimate Goal? Show & Expect Respect Treat everyone fairly Treat everyone with dignity