2006
New Jersey Diversity Conference
Talking About the Other Sides of Diversity
Small-Group Discussions on the Experience of Privilege
Friday,
November 3, 2006
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Raritan Valley Community College
North Branch, New Jersey
Registration:
$50
Registration Deadline: October 22, 2005
For
more registration information
or to download a registration form, click here.
Explanation
of Conference Theme
Most investigations of cultural diversity focus on the experiences
of marginalized groups, such as Native Americans or persons with disabilities.
This year’s
conference will use small-group discussions to investigate cultural “privilege,” the
advantages of being a member of a mainstream group. Because mainstream
group experiences are often invisible or ignored, individuals have
fewer opportunities to investigate the full breadth of the cultures
and world views around them. By bringing this rarely-discussed topic
to the foreground,
the conference will give participants the opportunity to gain new insights
about diversity. Small-group discussions at the conference will focus
on the experiences of the following groups: men, Americans, white people,
Christians, able people, and heterosexuals.
Keynote Speaker: Valorie Caffee, Director of Organizing, New Jersey
Work Environment Council
Why
Small-Group Discussions?
Small-group discussions are a powerful vehicle for learning about the
experiences of others. Such discussions provide a safe environment for
sharing and gathering new information.
Conference participants will be divided into groups of approximately
ten persons to engage in discussions with the assistance of trained facilitators.
Each group will use a discussion guide to focus the conversation on participant
experiences, either as a member or nonmember of the subject matter group.
Conference registrants will have the opportunity to participate in two
small-group discussions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Conference
Goal
At
the end of the conference, participants will be challenged to use what
they have learned throughout the day to formulate a personal commitment
for action.
Conference
Hosts:
Raritan Valley Community College
Beyond Diversity Resource Center
Conference Sponsors:
Community Diversity Council of Hunterdon County
Monmouth County Human Relations Commission
New Jersey Commission
on Holocaust Education
Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition
Conference Agenda
2006 New Jersey Diversity Conference
Talking About the Other Sides of Diversity
Small-Group Discussions on the
Experience of Privilege
8:00
a.m. Registration and Refreshments
8:30 a.m. Welcome from Conference Hosts
8:45 a.m. Keynote Address: Valorie Caffee, Director of Organizing, New
Jersey Work Environment Council
“Talking About Hidden Privilege: Why It’s Important and How to Do
It.”
9:15 a.m. Morning Break and Movement to Small Groups
9:30 a.m. Morning Small-Group Discussions on the Experiences of
(1) Christians, (2) Men, (3) Americans, (4) White People, (5) Heterosexuals,
and (6) Able People
These unique discussions of cultural privilege will enable participants
to
• better relate to one another across cultural differences
• deepen their understanding about often overlooked cultural experiences
• develop a broader view of diversity
• enhance their perspectives about people who are different from themselves
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. Afternoon Small-Group Discussions (topics repeat)
2:15 p.m. Afternoon Break
2:30 p.m. Summary Session
Conference participants will come together in a facilitated plenary session
for a discussion of insights and declarations of personal commitments for
change.
3:00 p.m. Conference Ends