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00:00:00 – 00:15:57
The video highlights the speaker's journey from Akron, Ohio, to becoming the Vice President for inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity at Case Western Reserve University, emphasizing the importance of diversity. Quotations and insights from influential figures like Toni Morrison, bell hooks, and others are shared to underscore the significance of achieving true inclusion. The discussion delves into the complexities of diversity and inclusion, touching on societal perceptions, moral dilemmas, and the need to address unfinished business in promoting diversity. The speaker advocates for active engagement and action in fostering diversity, citing personal experiences and historical contexts to underscore the societal importance and benefits of embracing diversity at all levels.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their background, including being originally from Akron, Ohio, but mispronunciations led them to refer to the city as “near Cleveland.” They talk about their journey from teaching to obtaining a PhD in English, focusing on authors like Toni Morrison. The speaker then highlights their career progression to Vice President for inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity at Case Western Reserve University, emphasizing the importance of diversity in the institution. They express excitement about the university’s focus on diversity, recent achievements in bringing in a diverse student body, and efforts towards internationalization. The speaker also shares their knowledge of and appreciation for Cleveland’s history and the engagement of students in the city through internships and service-learning projects.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of diversity in a city and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true inclusion. They acknowledge the progress made in diversity efforts but emphasize that there is still unfinished business. Quotations by influential figures such as W.B. Tobias and bell hooks are shared to set the context for a dialogue on diversity. The speaker highlights the desire for marginalized groups to be included and recognized in the ‘kingdom of culture.’ The importance of standing in the classroom as a radical space of possibility, as mentioned by bell hooks, is also emphasized. Finally, the speaker, who is a Toni Morrison scholar, quotes Toni Morrison about the complexity and nuances of diversity and inclusion.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the concept of diversity and inclusion, highlighting the various identities individuals possess such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, and organizational roles. They refer to this as a “cultural contact lens” that influences how we perceive the world. The speaker shares a story from Toni Morrison’s short story “Recitatif” about two girls from different racial backgrounds growing up together and the impact of societal views on race. This story prompts reflection on perceptions and assumptions related to race and identity.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses a classroom discussion on a story involving the observation of a woman in distress by two girls. Initially, the focus was on the girls’ races, but a student pointed out the moral crisis of their lack of empathy, shifting the lecture’s direction. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing diversity, citing an example of calling out exclusion of women of color in a skit about the women’s suffrage movement. This highlights the speaker’s stance on unfinished business in addressing issues of diversity and inclusion.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of acknowledging blind spots in gender and racial diversity, sharing a personal experience of feeling marginalized at college. The speaker emphasizes the significance of affinity groups and employee resource groups for fostering a sense of belonging and promoting competitiveness. The speaker’s involvement in diversity work is influenced by their parents’ legacy of activism, including participating in the march on Washington in 1963. The message conveyed is that diversity is vital for societal prosperity and success at all levels.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of diversity and the need to act on it rather than simply acknowledging it. They suggest that paying attention to diversity, valuing it, addressing biases, and implementing best practices are crucial. The speaker also urges viewers to reflect on their own diversity stories and consider how their identity, work, and contributions align with promoting diversity. The message is to not just talk about diversity but to actively engage and act upon it, believing that it is essential for the betterment of communities and society as a whole.