On Campus
Intergroup Dialogues Discuss Complex, Pressing Issues
As School of International Service senior Stephanie Reed watched news of racial tension, grief, and protests this past year, she felt she needed to do something.
鈥淗aving that be so close to home in Baltimore, that was something I wanted to gain a better understanding of but also help students here have an outlet to discuss those issues,鈥 she said.
That鈥檚 why she decided to facilitate an Intergroup Dialogue, or IGD, this fall. Under the guidance of AU鈥檚 Center for Diversity & Inclusion, she led a dozen students in open conversation for two months around the topic of 鈥淩ace & Ethnicity: How Media Shapes Our Perceptions.鈥
AU staffer Michelle Strange coordinates the dialogues through CDI, which organizes several groups each semester around topics ranging from religion and race to gender identity. She believes students gain a truly distinct learning opportunity in the weekly two-hour, confidential meetings.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so much power and beauty in people being able to dialogue in a small group that I鈥檓 not sure they naturally get in college,鈥 Strange said. 鈥淭hey certainly get those experiences of seeing difference, but I鈥檓 not sure how much space they have to talk about it.鈥
Strange and CDI form the groups themselves to include participants diverse by race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, major, and beyond. That鈥檚 what keeps the discussion intergroup, or between various perspectives.
For SIS grad student and participant Wes Davison, the intergroup nature is particularly important to the program鈥檚 goals鈥攖o highlight different personal experiences and stories.
鈥淓ven in DC, in such a diverse community, you can satellite yourself among people that act like you, especially in schools,鈥 he explained. 鈥淎U is a great place, but it鈥檚 in its own bubble, and you can make bubbles within that bubble. This breaks you out of that a bit.鈥
As students shared their various perspectives, Reed would watch talkative students sit back in their seats or quiet students step forward to speak鈥攂oth proud moments for her, seeing her students truly engaging one another in a respectful atmosphere.
Even as a facilitator, the semester broke Reed from her particular bubble. 鈥淚 definitely had to challenge assumptions that I didn鈥檛 even know I had,鈥 she said.
Davison, a student in AU鈥檚 International Peace & Conflict Resolution program, believes that the ability to listen and empathize will be a true asset for group participants in the future.
鈥淎ny practice of dialogue and listening helps you, whether you realize it or not,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very basic communication skills that you can take into relationships, jobs, business. It carries into so many things in life.鈥
The groups, which wrapped up in November, will begin again in the spring with new topics on equally important and timely topics. In the face of tensions nationwide around social justice issues, Reed sees IGD as way that AU can lead other universities by example.
鈥淭hese groups show that AU has a strong interest in creating a welcoming environment and promoting positive change in students鈥 lives but also off campus, because that鈥檚 where we鈥檒l all be taking this,鈥 she explained. 鈥淚t shows that AU recognizes that education is more than just essays and tests.鈥
As a staff member in CDI, that鈥檚 key for Strange. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for me to know that the university is valuing this ongoing, proactive conversation that鈥檚 about everyone getting together, not just people who think it鈥檚 their issue or not,鈥 she said.
Looking ahead to the spring, both Reed and Davison have applied to facilitate the next wave of groups, and they encourage others to get involved to expand the conversation.
鈥淚 hope that more dialogues pop up on campus or that this program is able to expand. It鈥檚 doing great work,鈥 Reed said.
To that end, Davison issues an invitation to any student who might like to participate, no matter what his or her perspective may be鈥攊n fact, the more diverse the perspectives, the better.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 even just a small part of you that says, 鈥榊ou know, I want a place to share my opinions.鈥 Then, come and bring it,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd don鈥檛 be scared to share what you think.鈥
听
Learn more about participating in an IGD.