Anti-Racism Task Force
February 21, 2003
Present: Rose Bakke,
Veronica Michael, Ryan Sylvester, Linda Palmer, Donna Rosh, David
Crockett, Judy Peterson, Ben Blair, Tracy Clark, Amy Phillips,
Lester Barahona-Gomez, Steve Pletta, Brian Oxton, Abner Arauza,
Phyllis May-Machunda, Yoke-Sim Gunaratne and Warren Wiese
Guest: Tess Arenas
Upcoming Meetings:
March 7 – CMU 203
April 11 – CMU 203
May 8 – MacLean 268
All meetings are scheduled from 12-2 p.m.
·
Sharing of opinions of “why
antiracism work is important to MSUM.”
·
Review of MCARI Training of the last
two weeks.
-
People enthused and willing to sign
up for sub groups.
-
Written evaluations from training
shared; mixed reviews, but positive in general.
-
Each “class” very different in
personality.
·
Amy Phillips will contact all that
went through training by e-mail for further communication.
·
Sign up for anti-racism training
follow-up discussion for team members.
·
Suggested to make a video
presentation to carry this message to service clubs; elementary
schools, etc.
·
Have information built into FYE.
·
Have Admissions Counselors talking
about this to prospective students to build expectations.
·
Make “Contribution to Diversity” part
of faculty PDP. Dona Rosh will bring issue to IFO Executive
Council.
·
Donna will ask to have assessment
about diversity in departments placed on Meet & Confer schedule.
·
Follow-up sessions – What do we want
them to look like?
·
Lively, informative, build on
training. Questions:
-
Safe, can make mistakes
-
What they liked; problematic areas
-
What worked and what didn’t
-
Value and importance of dialog
·
Reviewed Phyllis’ questions for
further discussion from training.
·
Have specific date and time for
students to attend for themselves.
·
Should set some ground rules for
session:
-
Be open to sharing
-
Speak about your own experiences
-
Don’t put people down
-
Indicate if someone says something
offensive
-
Be trusting
-
Accept people where they are
-
Encourage discussion/dialogue from
all participants
-
“Has anyone else experienced
________? Tell me what you think. Tell me more.
·
What do we want for outcomes?
-
“We cannot change the past only
improve the future”
-
Dispel some myths
·
Tess suggests: Have a series of
informational sessions away from awareness training; i.e., in
Affirmative Action, EEOC, Brown vs. Board of Education,
Race/Ethnic Groups etc.
-
We will be judged on not only what we
say but how we say it.
-
Info/Skill building/political
ideological are 3 components
-
Be open to different points of view.
Paraphrase it back. Let the group address the issue.
-
Don’t run from criticism, embrace it.
-
Structure for continuing dialog
-
Ask participants what they want to
have happen and bring back to this group.
-
Group book – talking sessions
-
Working with individuals regarding
personal growth about racism and what path they will take
-
People to share what are the
potential barriers for not moving forward
-
Get teams going & other people
involved; spread work around
·
Concern over what to do with
individuals that come to TOCAR about their issues in classrooms,
otherwise.
Next meeting, March 7
from 12-2 pm in CMU 203.
cc: President Barden
Cabinet
