The Keep Educating Yourself manual is a quick reference guide for engaging the various race-related programs offered to the Xavier Community this Spring 2016 semester. Various campus and community partners have come together to create timely experiential learning opportunities to live out our Jesuit values of being in solidarity with and for others. Together we will discuss our historical and current experiences with race in Cincinnati and beyond. While race is not exclusive to black or white, we recognize that majority of these discussions may focus on those two groups. We hope in the future that you can help us make the conversations more inclusive of other racial identities.
The K.E.Y. manual is not just for “in the moment” activities-but for the conversations that happen after the program ends. Our hope is that students who participate will:
· Develop a passion for inclusive excellence at Xavier
· Increase their confidence and willingness to participate in dialogue about diversity, inclusion, and justice in compassionate and honest ways
· Acquire new language, experiences, and skills for cross-cultural solidarity
· Make connections between classroom knowledge and life application
· Name two informed action steps to address the common good
We recognize that individuals are at different levels of awareness, so please feel free to contact the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in Gallagher Student Center, 2nd Floor for a list of resources that are available.
Dialogue calls for an openness to listen, reflect, discern and move toward cura personalis. So here are some guidelines:
Mind your assumptions. Allow yourself to grow.
Embrace your discomfort and discover its origin.
Listen with empathy.
Disagreement is okay. Disrespecting someone’s character is not.
Ask clarifying or critical questions.
Find commonalities. Be ok with differences.
There never were in the world two opinions alike,
no more than two hairs or two grains;
the most universal quality is diversity."
- Michel de Montaigne
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
-MARTIN NIEMÖLLER
Xavier community members
become people of
learning and reflection,
integrity and achievement,
in solidarity for and with others.