So the diversity training went really well and we had lots of fun just being there and listening to our speaker, Eric. He was a very smart man who, instead of talking to us for 3 hours, showed us different things that we have never noticed before. I don't want to go into too much detail because I would love to share with the class if Ms. Estelle will let the small group of us who went share the experience.
Within the first 30 minutes Eric told us that he wasn't trying to make us feel guilty, that this isn't that kind of training (though it wasn't really training, just an opening of the eyes). He told us that those things were the past and this is for how we deal with things for the future. The "activities" (I'm not sure what to call them) each had a purpose that were fun but helped us realize something we'd never noticed before. He helped us experience what others deal with on a daily basis or what they have to feel or put up with during life changing events. Some things hurt even.
During one activity in particular, I felt connected to was one near the end of the session. If Melissa lets us do this in class then we can show you what I'm talking about, but I and many others felt a loss. In this activity we actually felt the loss of something important and dear to us. And the reason for this was to show people what it was like or to give you an idea of what is like for a person who comes out of the closet. At first I was angry at the loss but when he explained the meaning of this game I remembered a while back (6 years ago or so) that I had felt the same thing.
I remember having a few friends walk away from me when I came out as bisexual. I remember the girls who wanted someone to pick on, judging me and call me names for it. They told me I shouldn't even be allowed near the locker room because there were girls changing in there. It was like I became someone completely different. I was lucky though, my family didn't change at all, they still loved me for me and nothing changed that. I didn't even realize that the past bugged me that much until this training session. I hadn't even really thought about it in years. I'm not broken up about it anymore but it made me remember that and made it all the more real for what it was like for others. Others who weren't as lucky as I was.
I look forward to sharing more in class (not about personal experiences don't worry, I won't bore you with that) about the session. He has some very good lessons to teach and it would be great to share them with you all.
Oh sorry, I sort of failed to post my first comment. I kinda forget what I was trying to say. But it was so very interesting that you shared your thoughts and you brought the activity into the class. Althought I could not connect the game to the way teacher teaches. (I remember you guys said what we hear from teacher is in broken pieces) But it did make me think how we learn is more important than how much effort we put.
ReplyDeleteThanks, the one you are talking about was how a person with a learning disability would view a normal class. Things are harder for them because they see it in pieces rather than one whole piece like how a normal student would view a class. The way we learn is very important and if it's too hard many people just don't put the effort in.
ReplyDeleteI thought the "paper activity" was quite a powerful exercise, also. But the one that left the greatest impression on me was the first one with the person sitting on the table. He exsisted undermoppression, anyone of us had the power to help and nobody did. That was profound for me. We must activily think about helping when ever we can, or we may inadvertantly turn a blind eye.
ReplyDeleteI agree, when he told us that we should have helped, it made me think about why we didn't. In my mind I thought "Wow, here I think I'm a very nice and helpful person and I didn't even ask if he needed help". That surprises me, you know? It was an interesting revelation.
ReplyDeleteI went to this too! I thought the paper activity was very powerful as well. It really makes you think about how you would feel if all the people you cared about just left you and you had absolutely no control over it. In the same way, it teaches you not to judge a loved one (or anyone for that matter) for something they have no control over, and that even if you don't agree, it doesn't make them a different person
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