WHY DIVERSITY AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN ANYWAY? Jason Thompson, M.A.

Transcription

1 WHY DIVERSITY AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN ANYWAY? Jason Thompson, M.A.

2 2 CULTURE WHERE AM I?

3 3 CULTURE, CONT. A training institute in India uses Full House, Frasier, Friends, CNN and Fox News to teach about the American lifestyle. They are also learning the difference between British and US customers. Tell an American that your name is Raja and an f word pops out. Better to use a fake name. At least the Canadians and British are better. We can actually use our real [Indian] names with them. The Canadians were fine, but she didn t want to field any calls from Americans. I was working for Cricket, but the customers were scary. Americans won t calm down, she said, repeating the mantra we d heard from others that US customers are impossible to deal with. culture shock of indias callcenters/

4 4 THE LANGUAGE OF SPORT A game may consist of ten or eight ends Curling These athletes will use a drag suit to train Swimming This sport uses a volleyball but no net Wheelchair Rugby

5 5 "Culture hides much more than it reveals, and strangely enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants. Years of study have convinced me that the real job is not to understand foreign culture, but to understand our own." Edward T. Hall

6 6 USOC DIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Family embraces the spirit of differences for better athletic performance and business results.

7 7 USOC DIVERSITY DEFINITION Diversity is about differences among people, whether they work for, are served by or otherwise have a stake in the organization itself. These differences among stakeholders include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio economic status, age, geographic location, national origin, religious beliefs, language, veteran status and physical abilities. Diversity is invaluable because it generates differing points of view, leads to innovation, fosters an understanding and acceptance of individuals from different backgrounds, and recognizes the contributions that a variety of individuals and groups can make.

8 8 Inclusion is about creating and maintaining an environment in which people are not excluded or marginalized because of their difference. It means promoting an environment in which contributions and strengths are recognized, optimized and valued in a way that generates opportunities for adaptability, problem solving, growth and ultimately increased success. Definition attributed to Diversity Strategic Plan, The PA State System of Higher Education, 2005.

9 9 DIVERSITY Married Men Women Have a Master s degree Starting a second career Military experience Have children Lived in another country Vacationed and did not go to a relatives home?

10 10 PURPOSE Examine your assumptions about diversity and inclusion. Increase your awareness of your own biases. Begin building specific professional skills in the area of cultural competence.

11 11 DEFINITIONS Bias particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question: prejudice (Random House Dictionary, 1993) Prejudice an unfavorable feeling or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason or unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group (Random House Dictionary, 1993)

12 12 HOW DO YOU GET THE JOB OF DRIVING THIS TRUCK?

13 13 MORE DIFFICULT WORDS Discrimination is based on prejudice but is a behavior and not just a feeling and therefore has more serious consequences than prejudice; treatment of a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit (Random House Dictionary, 1993) Homophobia intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality (Random House Dictionary) Racism far more reaching implications than prejudice or discrimination: any attitude, action, or institutional structure which subordinates a person or group because of his or their color (US Commission on Civil Rights, 1970); a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one s own race is superior and has the right to rule others and a policy, system of government, etc. based on or fostering such a doctrine. Adapted from Frances Kendall, Ph.D., 2003)

14 14 STILL MORE DIFFICULT WORDS Privilege usually white or male privilege, but hard for many to see, especially those born with access to power and resources; very visible to those not granted privilege and often very difficult for white people who don t feel powerful or that they have privileges that others do not. It s like asking fish about water or birds about air. Sergio Kevonta(Frances Kendall, Ph.D., 2003) Affirmative Action legislation to ensure that employers take positive steps to attract, promote, and retain women and minorities if underrepresented; not quota filling ; one step in achieving diversity, but not diversity

15 15 AND STILL MORE DIFFICULT WORDS Equal Employment Opportunity legislation enacted to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. EEOC monitors and enforces legislation regarding workplace diversity. Americans with Disabilities Act requires institutions to make reasonable accommodations in work and educational settings for qualified individuals with disabilities; includes people with HIV and AIDS, as well as some older people.

16 16 WHO CARES?

17 17 PROVIDING A PRACTICAL APPLICATION Legal and regulatory requirements Changing demographics Review of decennial census, 2000 & 2010 Systemic Disparities (Health Disparities) Cultural Competence

18 18 LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS Section of the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act requires that the United States Olympic Committee submit a report to Congress every quadrennium detailing its operations for the preceding four years. This report must include information regarding the participation of women, disabled individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities in NGB athletic, governance and management activities. The report must also include descriptions of programs and initiatives that encourage the participation of women, disabled individuals and racial/ethnic minorities within each NGB. This requirement is set forth in the Performance Partnership Agreement with the USOC as well.

19 19 DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES The U.S. population will soar to 438 million by 2050 The Hispanic population will triple, according to projections released by the Pew Research Center. Even if immigration is limited, Hispanics' share of the population will increase because they have higher birth rates than the overall population. That's largely because Hispanic immigrants are younger than the nation's aging baby boom population. The median age of Hispanics is 27.4 compared with 37.9 overall Asians 35.4 Blacks 31.1 Whites 40.8 Births, not immigration, now account for most of the growth in the nation s Hispanic population, a distinct reversal of trends of the past 30 years. The proportion of children under 18 who are minorities will be: 62%, up from 44% today. Two in every five children will be Hispanic. Blacks will remain 13% of the population. Asians will go to 9% from 5%.

20 20 COLLEGE ENROLLMENT Between 2007 and 2018 enrollment is projected to increase by: 4% for students who are White 26% for students who are Black 29% for students who are Asian or Pacific Islander 32% for students who are American Indian or Alaska Native 38% for students who are Hispanic 14% for students who are non resident aliens Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

21 21 HEALTH DISPARITIES What is the number 1 killer of women? Why?

22 22 The majority of Latinos, 53 percent, are lactose intolerant, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

23 23 SYSTEMIC DISPARITIES Uniform vs. Outfit

24 24 LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE Predicting means deciding what will happen next based on what you read and your own experiences. Answer the following questions yes or no to predict what is likely to happen. 1) George has a definite bedtime. He is always in bed by nine o clock. On Monday night, he whines and cries to stay up later. Will his parents let him stay up? NO 2) In the story of The Three Little Pigs, the first little pig built his house of straw, and the wolf blew it down. If he builds a new house of brick, will the wolf blow it down? NO 3) Peggy can run a marathon in slightly under five hours. Yesterday, she fell and sprained her ankle. Will she be able to run today s race in less than five hours? NO 4) I have a sore throat, chills, and a high fever. The last time this happened, my parents took me to the doctor. Will they take me to the doctor this time? NO

25 25 BASIC CULTURAL COMPETENCE Realize the influence of your own culture in relation to other cultures. Willingness to examine components of cross cultural interactions. Willingness to accept and respect cultural differences.

26 THE END