Presentation/Proposal Title
From Chai Time to Difficult Conversations: Encouraging Self and Cultural Reflection in Consultants
Type of Presentation/Proposal
Individual Presentation or Paper
Start Date
5-4-2019 9:45 AM
End Date
5-4-2019 10:45 AM
Keywords
self-awareness, LGBTQ+, mental health, diversity, empathy
Description
There is a complexity to human identity that is often overlooked in favor of grouping people into demographics, making it easier to understand and work by removing the complexity. There are a necessary self and cultural reflection needed to override this impulse to heuristically group individuals, which the work of writing centers depends on.
In order to encourage this self and cultural reflection in consultants, the IUPUI writing center’s Language and Cultural Diversity Committee organizes an event called Difficult Conversations three times every semester. Originally, the events were called Chai Time and were promoted as a time to relax, have tea, and discuss open questions surrounding diversity if those attending felt prompted. In Spring 2018, we transitioned from Chai Time to Difficult Conversations and have become more deliberate with our topics and questions, allowing for the necessary self and cultural reflection that enables the consultants to value each individual and respect the individual and cultural characteristics that might differ from their own.
Last semester we led Difficult Conversations on language diversity, LGBTQ+ identities, and the spectrum of mental health. Each conversation built off a scholarly article and incorporated questions to encourage reflection on how the article expanded the consultants’ knowledge, how it encouraged them to see the complexity within the demographic, and how this knowledge and awareness could influence their consulting practices.
My presentation will discuss the transition from Chai Time to Difficult Conversations, review previous Difficult Conversations topics, and explain the process of creating and leading a Difficult Conversation.
From Chai Time to Difficult Conversations: Encouraging Self and Cultural Reflection in Consultants
Deeds Boardroom
There is a complexity to human identity that is often overlooked in favor of grouping people into demographics, making it easier to understand and work by removing the complexity. There are a necessary self and cultural reflection needed to override this impulse to heuristically group individuals, which the work of writing centers depends on.
In order to encourage this self and cultural reflection in consultants, the IUPUI writing center’s Language and Cultural Diversity Committee organizes an event called Difficult Conversations three times every semester. Originally, the events were called Chai Time and were promoted as a time to relax, have tea, and discuss open questions surrounding diversity if those attending felt prompted. In Spring 2018, we transitioned from Chai Time to Difficult Conversations and have become more deliberate with our topics and questions, allowing for the necessary self and cultural reflection that enables the consultants to value each individual and respect the individual and cultural characteristics that might differ from their own.
Last semester we led Difficult Conversations on language diversity, LGBTQ+ identities, and the spectrum of mental health. Each conversation built off a scholarly article and incorporated questions to encourage reflection on how the article expanded the consultants’ knowledge, how it encouraged them to see the complexity within the demographic, and how this knowledge and awareness could influence their consulting practices.
My presentation will discuss the transition from Chai Time to Difficult Conversations, review previous Difficult Conversations topics, and explain the process of creating and leading a Difficult Conversation.
