Nurturing our own development as allies
Just like science isn't a process of coming to a final answer that negates any future research, being an ally isn't an achievement that absolves anyone of working on identifying and countering their internal biases. Becoming a better ally for people with marginalized identities requires that we enter into an honest iterative process of self-evaluation. This requires humility, a willingness to be wrong, a strong sense of empathy, and an ability to listen and promote voices other than our own.
As someone with several areas of privilege, my words and actions often carry more weight and impact than others. Because of this, it is important that I use that power to work for change in my daily life as well as within my lab, department, and university.
For others interested in working on themselves, there are many sites that can aid you in your own personal development and I'll not attempt to list them all here. Instead, I'll list a few video and print resources that have been personally helpful on my own journey. Next to each, I provide a short and largely inadequate summary.
In no particular order:
Nanette - Hanna Gadsby's masterful comedy special draws you in, and then delivers a powerful dose of marginalized reality (currently on Netflix)
Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond's book and documentary chronicling why the world is so unequal
The Color of Fear - Lee Mun Wah's documentary on race relations in America (most affordable as a rental)
For the Bible Tells Me So - Daniel Karslake's documentary on religion and homosexuality
13th - Ava DuVernay's documentary on the prison system in the United States and racial inequality (currently on Netflix)
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood - Janisse Ray's book on growing up poor & white in the South amidst mental illness while culturing a love of nature
As someone with several areas of privilege, my words and actions often carry more weight and impact than others. Because of this, it is important that I use that power to work for change in my daily life as well as within my lab, department, and university.
For others interested in working on themselves, there are many sites that can aid you in your own personal development and I'll not attempt to list them all here. Instead, I'll list a few video and print resources that have been personally helpful on my own journey. Next to each, I provide a short and largely inadequate summary.
In no particular order:
Nanette - Hanna Gadsby's masterful comedy special draws you in, and then delivers a powerful dose of marginalized reality (currently on Netflix)
Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond's book and documentary chronicling why the world is so unequal
The Color of Fear - Lee Mun Wah's documentary on race relations in America (most affordable as a rental)
For the Bible Tells Me So - Daniel Karslake's documentary on religion and homosexuality
13th - Ava DuVernay's documentary on the prison system in the United States and racial inequality (currently on Netflix)
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood - Janisse Ray's book on growing up poor & white in the South amidst mental illness while culturing a love of nature
Diversify Departmental Seminars & Panels
Whether you are an undergrad or a tenured professor, one of the ways that we can promote equity locally in our own department is to invite a diverse set of speakers/experts for seminars and panels. Below, I've highlighted three sites that can help you add names to suggested speaker lists (add yourself if you are a resource):