Managing Difficult Conversations

• In Event: Culturally Responsive Teaching at Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Abstract

This part of the workshop will discuss teaching for change. Specifically, the idea that when discussing charged topics like immigrants and CJ, systemic racism, the policing of Black and Brown bodies, for example, that frequently facts alone don't seem to matter. We can provide data, statistics etc. but internal change, educational growth is going to occur slowly. So how do we, as educators, promote this growth, remaining open (not necessarily impartial) but permitting discourse and more importantly facilitating difficult conversations that can be triggering? How do we, in effect, create an environment that is cohesive, honest and fosters learning starting at different baselines? Strategies on how to manage difficult conversations about heated topics will be presented. Specifically, how to foster positive and meaningful discourse when opinions are going to vary and background, culture, SES and other characteristics may have already shaped perspectives

Author

• Maria João Lobo Antunes, Towson University