9 • Introduction 259

9
Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

Figure 9.1 (Credit John Martinez Pavliga / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY 2.0))

Chapter Outline
9.1 What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It?
9.2 Categories of Diversity
9.3 Navigating the Diversity Landscape
9.4 Inclusivity and Civility: What Role Can I Play?

Introduction
Student Survey
How do you feel about diversity, equity, and inclusion? These questions will help you determine how the
chapter concepts relate to you right now. As you are introduced to new concepts and practices, it can be
informative to reflect on how your understanding changes over time. We’ll revisit these questions at the end of
the chapter to see whether your feelings have changed. Take this quick survey to figure it out, ranking
questions on a scale of 1–4, 1 meaning “least like me” and 4 meaning “most like me.”

1. I'm aware of the different categories of diversity and the various populations I may encounter.
2. I think we sometimes go too far in trying to be sensitive to different groups.
3. I think nearly everybody in our society has equal opportunity.
4. It’s not my role to ensure equity and inclusiveness among my peers or colleagues.

You can also take the Chapter 9 survey (https://openstax.org/l/collegesurvey09) anonymously online.

STUDENT PROFILE

“For the vast majority of my life, I thought being an Asian-American—who went through the Palo Alto
School District—meant that I was supposed to excel in academics. But, in reality, I did the opposite. I
struggled through college, both in classes and in seeking experiences for my future. At first, I thought I was
260 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

unique in not living up to expectations. But as I met more people from all different backgrounds, I realized
my challenges were not unique.

“I began capturing videos of students sharing their educational issues. Like me, many of my peers lack the
study skills required to achieve our academic goals. The more I researched and developed videos
documenting this lack of skill, the more I realized that student identities are often lost as they learn
according to a traditional pedagogy. I began documenting students’ narratives and the specific strategies
they used to overcome difficulty. Once we can celebrate a diverse student body and showcase their
strengths and identities as well as the skills necessary to excel academically, my hope is that students of all
backgrounds can begin to feel that they belong.”

—Henry Fan, Foothill College and San Jose State University

About This Chapter

In this chapter you will learn about diversity and how it plays a role in personal, civic, academic, and
professional aspects of our lives. By the end of the chapter, you should be able to do the following:

• Articulate how diverse voices have been historically ignored or minimized in American civic life, education,
and culture.
• Describe categories of identity and experience that contribute to diverse points of view.
• Acknowledge implicit bias and recognize privilege.
• Evaluate statements and situations based on their inclusion of diverse perspectives.

9.1 What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It?

Estimated completion time: 34 minutes.

Questions to Consider:

• Historically, has diversity always been a concern?

• What does it mean to be civil?
• Why do people argue about diversity?

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 9.1 • What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It? 261

What Would Shakespeare Say?

Figure 9.2 (Credit: Sourced originally from Helmolt, H.F., ed. History of the World. Dodd, Mead and Company, 1902 / Perry-Castañeda
Library, University of Texas at Austin / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain).

In our classroom, everyone is the same…

Consider a classroom containing 25 college students and their instructor. In this particular class, all of the
students and the instructor share the same racial group—White. In fact, everyone in the class is a White
American from the Midwest.

The instructor is leading the class through reading a scene from William Shakespeare’s drama Romeo and
Juliet. As students read their parts, each one is thinking carefully about the role they have been given.

One of the male students wonders what it would be like to read the part of Juliet; after all, men originally
played the part in Shakespeare’s day. The young woman reading Juliet wonders if anyone would object to her
taking the role if they knew she was a lesbian. What would it be like, she wonders, if Romeo, her love interest,
were also played by a woman? One reader strongly identifies as German American, but he is reading the part
of an Italian. Another student has a grandmother who is African American, but he looks like every other White
student in the room. No one recognizes his mixed-race heritage.

After the students finish reading the scene, the instructor announces, “In our classroom, everyone is the same,
but these days when Shakespeare is staged, there is a tendency for nontraditional casting. Romeo could be
Black, Juliet could be Latina, Lady Montague could be Asian. Do you think that kind of casting would disrupt
the experience of seeing the play?”

In this case, the instructor makes the assumption that because everyone in the class looks the same, they are
the same. What did the instructor miss about the potential for diversity in his classroom? Have you ever made
a similar mistake?

Diversity is more than what we can recognize from external clues such as race and gender. Diversity includes
many unseen aspects of identity, like sexual orientation, political point of view, veteran status, and many other
aspects that you may have not considered. To be inclusive and civil within your community, it is essential that
you avoid making assumptions about how other people define or identify themselves.
262 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

In this chapter we will discover that each person is more than the sum of surface clues presented to the world.
Personal experience, social and family history, public policy, and even geography play a role in how diversity is
constructed. We’ll also explore elements of civility and fairness within the college community.

One important objective of civility is to become culturally competent. Culturally competent people understand
the complexity of their own personal identity, values, and culture. In addition, they respect the personal
identities and values of others who may not share their identity and values. Further, culturally competent
people remain open-minded when confronted with new cultural experiences. They learn to relate to and
respect difference; they look beyond the obvious and learn as much as they can about what makes each
person different and appreciated.

These concepts tie closely to Chapter 8, particularly the section on Emotional Intelligence and Overcoming
Barriers to Communication.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY

1. Do you think the diversity of your school’s student body is reflected in course offerings and campus
activities?
a. Yes
b. Somewhat
c. No

2. How comfortable are you when discussing issues of race, sexuality, religion, and other aspects of
civility?
a. Extremely comfortable
b. Somewhat comfortable
c. Somewhat uncomfortable
d. Extremely uncomfortable

3. Do you generally feel welcomed and included on campus?

a. Yes
b. No
c. It varies significantly by class or environment.

You can also take the anonymous What Students Say surveys (https://openstax.org/l/collegesurvey6-12) to
add your voice to this textbook. Your responses will be included in updates.

Students offered their views on these questions, and the results are displayed in the graphs below.

Do you think the diversity of your school’s student body is reflected in course offerings and campus
activities?

Figure 9.3

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 9.1 • What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It? 263

How comfortable are you when discussing issues of race, sexuality, religion, and other aspects of civility?

Figure 9.4

Do you generally feel welcomed and included on campus?

Figure 9.5

Why Diversity Matters

The United States of America is viewed the world over as a leader in democracy and democratic ideals. Our
nation, young by most standards, continues to evolve to make the freedoms and opportunities available to all.
Where the benefits of citizenship have been imperfect, discord over issues related to civil rights and inclusion
have often been at the center of the conflict.

To understand the importance of civility and civil engagement, it is necessary to acknowledge our country’s
history. The United States is a country born out of protest. Colonists protesting what they felt were unfair taxes
under King George III was at the foundation of the Revolutionary War. Over time, many groups have been
given their civil liberties and equal access to all that our country has to offer through that same spirit of
protest and petition.
264 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

Figure 9.6 (Credit: Carl Campbell / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY 2.0))

The United States is often described as a “melting pot,” a rich mixture made up of people of many colors,
religions, abilities, etc. working together to make one great big stew. That is the image generations of
Americans grew up learning, and it is a true one. The United States is a nation of immigrants, and cultural
influences from around the world have added to its strength.

Historically, however, not all contributions and voices have been acknowledged equally or adequately. Some
groups have had to struggle to have their contributions acknowledged, be treated fairly, and be allowed full
participation in the civic life of the country. Entire populations of people have been oppressed as a part of the
nation’s history, something important for Americans to confront and acknowledge. For example, in what is
known as the Trail of Tears, the U.S. government forcibly removed Native Americans from their homelands and
made them walk to reservations; some had to travel more than 1,000 miles, and over 10,000 died on the
journey. Further, in an act of forced assimilation, Native American children were taken from their families and
placed in schools where they were not allowed to practice cultural traditions or speak their Native languages.
This practice continued as late as the 1970s. As a result, many Native American languages have been lost or
are at risk of being lost.

The slavery of Africans occurred in America for close to 250 years. Much of the wealth in the United States
during that time came directly from the labor of enslaved people; however, the enslaved people themselves
did not benefit financially. During World War II, Japanese Americans were placed into internment camps and
considered a danger to our country because our nation was at war with Japan.

For many years, all women and minority men were traditionally left out of public discourse and denied
participation in government, industry, and even cultural institutions such as sports. For example, the United
States Supreme Court was founded in 1789; however, the court’s first female justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, was
not appointed until 1981, almost 200 years later. Jackie Robinson famously became the first African American
major league baseball player in 1947 when he was hired by the Brooklyn Dodgers, although the major leagues
were established in 1869, decades earlier. The absence of White women and minorities was not an accident.
Their exclusion was based on legal discrimination or unfair treatment.

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 9.1 • What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It? 265

These are all examples of mistreatment, inequality, and discrimination, and they didn’t end without incredible
sacrifice and heroism. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s and the equal rights movement for
women’s rights in the 1970s are examples of how public protests work to bring attention to discriminatory
practices and to create change. Because racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, and other forms of bias and
intolerance still exist, civil engagement and protests continue, and policies must be constantly monitored.
Many people still work to ensure the gains these communities have made in acquiring the rights of full
citizenship are not lost.

Diversity refers to differences in the human experience. As different groups have gained in number and
influence, our definition of diversity has evolved to embrace many variables that reflect a multitude of
different backgrounds, experiences, and points of view, not just race and gender. Diversity takes into account
age, socioeconomic factors, ability (such as sight, hearing, and mobility), ethnicity, veteran status, geography,
language, sexual orientation, religion, size, and other factors. At one time or another, each group has had to
make petitions to the government for equal treatment under the law and appeals to society for respect.
Safeguarding these groups’ hard-won rights and public regard maintains diversity and its two closely related
factors, equity and inclusion.

ACTIVITY

Our rights and protections are often acquired through awareness, effort, and, sometimes, protest. Each
one of the following groups has launched protests over discrimination or compromises to their civil rights.
Choose three of the groups below and do a quick search on protests or efforts members of the group
undertook to secure their rights. To expand your knowledge, choose some with which you are not familiar.

Record the name, time frame, and outcomes of the protest or movements you researched.

The groups are as follows:

• Veterans
• Senior citizens
• Blind or visually impaired people
• Muslims
• Christians
• LGBTQ+ community
• Hispanic/Latinos
• People with intellectual disabilities
• Undocumented immigrants
• Little people
• College students
• Jewish Americans
• Farm workers
• Wheelchair users
266 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

The Role of Equity and Inclusion

Equity plays a major part in achieving fairness in a diverse landscape. Equity gives everyone equal access to
opportunity and success. For example, you may have seen interpreters for deaf or hard of hearing people in
situations where a public official is making an announcement about an impending weather emergency.
Providing immediate translation into sign language means that there is no gap between what the public
1
official is saying and when all people receive the information. Simultaneous sign language provides equity.
Similarly, many students have learning differences that require accommodations in the classroom. For
example, a student with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might be given more time to complete
tests or writing assignments. The extra time granted takes into account that students with ADHD process
information differently.

If a student with a learning difference is given more time than other students to complete a test, that is a
matter of equity. The student is not being given an advantage; the extra time gives them an equal chance at
success.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990) is a federal government policy that addresses equity in the
workplace, housing, and public places. The ADA requires “reasonable accommodations” so that people with
disabilities have equal access to the same services as people without disabilities. For example, wheelchair lifts
on public transportation, automatic doors, entrance ramps, and elevators are examples of accommodations
that eliminate barriers of participation for people with certain disabilities.

Without the above accommodations, those with a disability may justly feel like second-class citizens because
their needs were not anticipated. Further, they might have to use their own resources to gain equal access to
services although their tax dollars contribute to providing that same access and service to other citizens.

Equity levels the playing field so that everyone’s needs are anticipated and everyone has an equal starting
point. However, understanding equity is not enough.

Figure 9.7 Equality is a meaningful goal, but it can leave people with unmet needs; equity is more empowering and fair. In equality
portion of the graphic, people all sizes and a person who uses a wheelchair are all given the same bicycle, which is unusable for
most. In the equity portion, each person gets a bicycle specifically designed for them, enabling them to successfully ride it. Credit:
2
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation / Custom License: “May be Produced with Attribution ”)

When equity is properly considered, there is also inclusion. Inclusion means that there are a multiplicity of
voices, skills, and interests represented in any given situation. Inclusion has played a major role in education,
especially in terms of creating inclusion classrooms and inclusive curricula. In an inclusion classroom, students
of different skill levels study together. For example, students with and without developmental disabilities study
in the same classroom. Such an arrangement eliminates the stigma of the “special education classroom” where
students were once segregated. In addition, in inclusion classrooms all students receive support when needed.

1 https://www.nad.org/resources/american-sign-language/community-and-culture-frequently-asked-questions/
2 https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/infographics/visualizing-health-equity.html#/download

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 9.1 • What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It? 267

Students benefit from seeing how others learn. In an inclusive curriculum, a course includes content and
perspectives from underrepresented groups. For example, a college course in psychology might include
consideration of different contexts such as immigration, incarceration, or unemployment in addition to
addressing societal norms.

Inclusion means that these voices of varied background and experience are integrated into discussions,
research, and assignments rather than ignored.

Our Country Is Becoming More Diverse

You may have heard the phrase "majority minority" meaning it is predicted that today’s racial minorities will,
collectively, be the majority of the population in the future. The graph from the Pew Research Center projects
that by the year 2065, U.S. demographics will have shifted significantly. In 2019, the White population made up
just over 60% of the population. In 2065, the Pew Research Center predicts that White people will be
approximately 46% of the population. The majority of Americans will be the non-White majority, 54% Hispanic/
Latino people, Black people, and Asian people.

Figure 9.8 United States demographics (or statistical characteristics of populations) are changing rapidly. In just over 35 years, the
country as a whole will be a “majority minority” nation, with ethnic/racial minorities making up more than half of the population.
(Credit: Based on work by the Pew Research Center.)

What does this mean? It could mean that the United States begins accepting Spanish as a mainstream
language since the Hispanic/Latino population will be significantly larger. It could mean a changing face for
local governments. It could mean that our country will elect its second non-White president. Beyond anything
specific, the shifting demographics of the United States could mean greater attention is paid to diversity
awareness, equity, and inclusion.

ANALYSIS QUESTION

What changes do you think will take place in the United States as its demographics shift?

Education: Equity for All

Education has been one of the most significant arenas for social change related to our rights as Americans.
And the effects of that change have significantly impacted other power dynamics in society. You need look no
further than the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) to see how our nation has
268 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

responded passionately in civil and uncivil ways to appeals for equity and inclusion in public education.

For much of the 20th century, African Americans lived under government-sanctioned separation better known
as segregation. Not only were schools segregated, but Jim Crow laws allowed for legal separation in
transportation, hospitals, parks, restaurants, theaters, and just about every aspect of public life. These laws
enacted that there be “Whites only” water fountains and restrooms. Only White people could enter the front
door of a restaurant or sit on the main level of a movie theater, while African Americans had to enter through
the back door and sit in the balcony. The segregation also included Mexican Americans and Catholics, who
were forced to attend separate schools. Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark Supreme Court case that
challenged the interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The case
involved the father of Linda Brown suing the Topeka, Kansas, board of education for denying his daughter the
right to attend an all-White school. Oliver Brown maintained that segregation left his Black community with
inferior schools, a condition counter to the equal protection clause contained in Section I of the 14th
Amendment:

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are
citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce
any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor
shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor
deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

There was widespread heated opposition to desegregated education across the country. Passions were even
more severe after Brown v. Board of Education was won by the plaintiff on appeal to the United States
Supreme Court. In effect, the case changed the power dynamics in America by leveling the playing field for
education. No longer were White schools (and their better resources) legally segregated. In principal, there
was equity—equal access.

Debates in the courtrooms surrounding Brown were passionate but professional. Protests and debate in those
communities directly affected by the decision, especially in the South, were intense, violent confrontations that
demonstrated the height of incivility. One thing you may notice about uncivil behavior is the difficulty most
have looking back on those actions.

Figure 9.9 After the Brown v Board of Education decision, Americans pursued their rights for equal education in other districts. In
Arkansas, a group of teenagers, which would come to be known as the Little Rock Nine, were blocked from entering a formerly
Whites-only school. Facing angry protestors, the state governor, and even the National Guard, the nine students finally took their
rightful place in the school after a judge ruled in their favor and President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to secure the
situation. (Credit: Courtesy of the National Archives, sourced from The US Army / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY))

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 9.1 • What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It? 269

Educational institutions like colleges and school districts are critically important spaces for equity and
inclusion, and debates around them remain challenging. Transgender students in America’s schools face
discrimination, harrassment, and bullying, which causes nearly 45 percent of LGBTQ+ to feel unsafe because of
their gender expression and 60 percent of to feel unsafe due to their sexual orientation. Many of these
students miss school or experience significant stress, which usually has a negative impact on their grades,
3
participation, and overall success. In essence, this hostility creates inequality. Regardless of individual state or
district laws on bathroom use and overall accommodation, federal law protects all students from
discrimination, especially that based on categories such as gender. But implementation of these federal
protections varies, and, in general, many outside the transgender community do not fully understand,
empathize with, or support transgender rights.

How can the circumstances improve for transgender students? In other societal changes throughout our
nation’s history, court decisions, new legislation, protests, and general public opinion combined to right past
wrongs and provide justice and protection for mistreated people. For example, in 2015, the Supreme Court
upheld the right to same-sex marriage under the 14th Amendment. Just as African Americans publicly debated
and protested educational inequality, the gay community used discussion, protest, and debate to sway public
and legal opinion. Proponents of gay marriage faced fervent argument against their position based on religion
and culture; like other minority groups, they were confronted with name-calling, job insecurity, family division,
religious isolation, and physical confrontation. And as has often been the case, success in achieving marriage
equality eventually came through the courts.

Legal remedies are significant, but can take a very long time. Before they see success in the courts or
legislatures, transgender students in America’s schools will continue to undergo harsh treatment. Their lives
and education will remain very difficult until people from outside their community better understand their
situation.

Debates: Civility vs. Incivility

Healthy debate is a desirable part of a community. In a healthy debate, people are given room to explain their
point of view. In a healthy airing of differences, people on opposing sides of an argument can reach common
ground and compromise or even agree to disagree and move on.

However, incivility occurs when people are not culturally competent. An individual who is not culturally
competent might make negative assumptions about others’ values, lack an open mindset, or be inflexible in
thinking. Instead of being tolerant of different points of view, they may try to shut down communication by not
listening or by keeping someone with a different point of view from being heard at all. Out of frustration, a
person who is uncivil may resort to name-calling or discrediting another person only with the intention of
causing confusion and division within a community. Incivility can also propagate violence. Such uncivil reaction
to difficult issues is what makes many people avoid certain topics at all costs. Instead of seeking out diverse
communities, people retreat to safe spaces where they will not be challenged to hear opposing opinions or
have their beliefs contested.

Debates on difficult or divisive topics surrounding diversity, especially those promoting orchestrated change,
are often passionate. People on each side may base their positions on deeply held beliefs, family traditions,
personal experience, academic expertise, and a desire to orchestrate change. With such a strong foundation,
emotions can be intense, and debates can become uncivil.

Even when the disagreement is based on information rather than personal feelings, discussions can quickly
turn to arguments. For example, in academic environments, it’s common to find extremely well-informed
arguments in direct opposition to each other. Two well-known economics faculty members from your college
could debate for hours on financial policies, with each professor’s position backed by data, research, and
publications. Each person could feel very strongly that they are right and the other person is wrong. They may

3 2017 National School Climate Survey, GLESN. https://www.glsen.org/research/school-climate-survey

270 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

even feel that the approach proposed by their opponent would actually do damage to the country or to certain
groups of people. But for this debate—whether it occurs over lunch or on an auditorium stage—to remain
civil, the participants need to maintain certain standards of behavior.

ACTIVITY

1. Describe a time when you could not reach an agreement with someone on a controversial issue.
2. Did you try to compromise, combining your points of view so that each of you would be partially
satisfied?
3. Did either of you shut down communication? Was ending the conversation a good choice? Why or why
not?

Civility is a valued practice that takes advantage of cultural and political systems we have in place to work
through disagreements while maintaining respect for others’ points of view. Civil behavior allows for a
respectful airing of grievances. The benefit of civil discussion is that members of a community can hear
different sides of an argument, weigh evidence, and decide for themselves which side to support.

You have probably witnessed or taken part in debates in your courses, at social events, or even at family
gatherings. What makes people so passionate about certain issues? First, some may have a personal stake in
an issue, such as abortion rights. Convincing other people to share their beliefs may be intended to create a
community that will protect their rights. Second, others may have deeply held beliefs based on faith or cultural
practices. They argue based on deeply held moral and ethical beliefs. Third, others may be limited in their
background knowledge about an issue but are able to speak from a “script” of conventional points of view.
They may not want to stray from the script because they do not have enough information to extend an
argument.

Rules for Fair Debate

Figure 9.10 You’ll participate in classroom or workplace debate throughout your academic or professional career. Civility is important
to productive discussions, and will lead to worthwhile outcomes. (Credit: Creative Sustainability / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-
BY 2.0))

The courtroom and the public square are not the only places where serious debate takes place. Every day we
tackle tough decisions that involve other people, some of whom have strong opposing points of view. To be
successful in college, you will need to master sound and ethical approaches to argument, whether it be for a
mathematical proof or an essay in a composition class.

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 9.1 • What Is Diversity, and Why Is Everybody Talking About It? 271

You probably already know how to be sensitive and thoughtful when giving feedback to a family member or
friend. You think about their feelings and the best way to confront your disagreement without attacking them.
Of course, sometimes it’s easier to be less sensitive with people who love you no matter what. Still, whether in
a classroom, a workplace, or your family dinner table, there are rules for debating that help people with
opposing points of view get to the heart of an issue while remaining civil:

1. Avoid direct insults and personal attacks—the quickest way to turn someone away from your discussion is
to attack them personally. This is actually a common logical fallacy called ad hominem, which means “to
the person,” and it means to attack the person rather than the issue.
2. Avoid generalizations and extreme examples—these are two more logical fallacies called bandwagon, or
ad populum, and reduction to absurdity, or argumentum ad absurdum. The first is when you argue that
everyone is doing something so it must be right. The second is when you argue that a belief or position
would lead to an absurd or extreme outcome.
3. Avoid appealing to emotions rather than facts—it’s easy to get emotional if you’re debating something
about which you feel passionate. Someone disagreeing with you can feel like a personal affront. This
fallacy, called argument to compassion, appeals to one’s emotions and happens when we mistake feelings
for facts. While strong and motivating, our feelings are not great arbiters of the truth.
4. Avoid irrelevant arguments—sometimes it’s easy to change the subject when we’re debating, especially if
we feel flustered or like we’re not being heard. Irrelevant conclusion is the fallacy of introducing a topic
that may or may not be sound logic but is not about the issue under debate.
5. Avoid appeal to bias—you may not have strong opinions on every topic but, no doubt, you are opinionated
about things that matter to you. This strong view can create a bias, or a leaning toward an idea or belief.
While there’s nothing wrong with having a strong opinion, you must be mindful to ensure that your bias
doesn’t create prejudice. Ask yourself if your biases influence the ways in which you interact with other
people and with ideas that differ from your own.
6. Avoid appeal to tradition—just because something worked in the past or was true in the past does not
necessarily mean that it is true today. It’s easy to commit this fallacy, as we often default to “If it ain’t
broke, don’t fix it.” It’s appealing because it seems to be common sense. However, it ignores questions
such as whether the existing or old policy truly works as well as it could and if new technology or new
ways of thinking can offer an improvement. Old ways can certainly be good ways, but not simply because
they are old.
7. Avoid making assumptions—often, we think we know enough about a topic or maybe even more than the
person talking, so we jump ahead to the outcome. We assume we know what they’re referring to, thinking
about, or even imagining, but this is a dangerous practice because it often leads to misunderstandings. In
fact, most logical fallacies are the result of assuming.
8. Strive for root cause analysis—getting at the root cause of something means to dig deeper and deeper
until you discover why a problem or disagreement occurred. Sometimes, the most obvious or immediate
cause for a problem is not actually the most significant one. Discovering the root cause can help to resolve
the conflict or reveal that there isn’t one at all.
9. Avoid obstinacy—in the heat of a debate, it’s easy to dig in your heels and refuse to acknowledge when
you’re wrong. Your argument is at stake, and so is your ego. However, it’s important to give credit where
it’s due and to say you’re wrong if you are. If you misquoted a fact or made an incorrect assumption, admit
to it and move on.
10. Strive for resolution—while some people like to debate for the sake of debating, in the case of a true
conflict, both parties should seek agreement, or at least a truce. One way to do this is to listen more than
you speak. Listen, listen, listen: you’ll learn and perhaps make better points of your own if you deeply
consider the other point of view.
272 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

ANALYSIS QUESTION

Have you ever witnessed incivility in person or an argument in the news? Briefly describe what happened.
Why do you think individuals are willing to shut down communication over issues they are passionate
about?

Online Civility
The Internet is the watershed innovation of our time. It provides incredible access to information and
resources, helping us to connect in ways inconceivable just a few decades ago. But it also presents risks, and
these risks seem to be changing and increasing at the same rate as technology itself. Because of our regular
access to the Internet, it’s important to create a safe, healthy, and enjoyable online space.

Figure 9.11 Microsoft’s Digital Civility Research survey asked people their opinions on the future of online behavior and
communication. While in some cases, the respondents thought circumstances would improve, predictions about the others, such as
4
harassment and bullying, are more bleak. (Credit: Based on work from Microsoft, “Expectations for Digital Civility 2020.” )

In the survey conducted by Microsoft, “nearly 4 in 10 [respondents] feel unwanted online contact (39%),
bullying (39%) and unwelcome sexual attention (39%) will worsen [in 2020]. A slightly smaller percentage (35%)
expect people’s reputations, both professional and personal, will continue to be attacked online. One-quarter
(25%) of respondents see improvement across each of these risk areas in 2020.”

Digital civility is the practice of leading with empathy and kindness in all online interactions and treating each
other with respect and dignity. This type of civility requires users to fully understand and appreciate potential
harms and to follow the new rules of the digital road. You can find a discussion on best practices for online
communication, often referred to as Netiquette, in Chapter 8 on Communicating. Following, are some basic

4 Expectations for Digital Civility. Note: Link leads to direct download.

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 9.2 • Categories of Diversity 273

guidelines to help exercise digital civility:

• Live the “Golden Rule” and treat others with respect and dignity both online and off.
• Respect differences of culture, geography, and opinion, and when disagreements surface, engage
thoughtfully.
• Pause before replying to comments or posts you disagree with, and ensure responses are considerate
and free of name-calling and abuse.
• Stand up for yourself and others if it’s safe and prudent to do so.

9.2 Categories of Diversity

Estimated completion time: 16 minutes.

Questions to consider:

• What is identity?
• Can a person have more than one identity?
• Can identity be ambiguous?
• What are fluidity and intersectionality?

The multiple roles we play in life—student, sibling, employee, roommate, for example—are only a partial
glimpse into our true identity. Right now, you may think, “I really don’t know what I want to be,” meaning you
don’t know what you want to do for a living, but have you ever tried to define yourself in terms of the sum of
your parts?

Social roles are those identities we assume in relationship to others. Our social roles tend to shift based on
where we are and who we are with. Taking into account your social roles as well as your nationality, ethnicity,
race, friends, gender, sexuality, beliefs, abilities, geography, etc., who are you?

Who Am I?
Popeye, a familiar 20th-century cartoon character, was a sailor-philosopher. He declared his own identity in a
circular manner, landing us right where we started: “I am what I am and that’s all that I am.” Popeye proves his
existence rather than help us identify him. It is his title, “The Sailor Man,” that tells us how Popeye operates in
the social sphere.

According to the American Psychological Association, personal identity is an individual’s sense of self defined
by (a) a set of physical, psychological, and interpersonal characteristics that is not wholly shared with any other
person and (b) a range of affiliations (e.g., ethnicity) and social roles. Your identity is tied to the most dominant
5
aspects of your background and personality. It determines the lens through which you see the world and the
lens through which you receive information.

ACTIVITY

Complete the following statement using no more than four words:

I am _______________________________.

It is difficult to narrow down our identity to just a few options. One way to complete the statement would be
to use gender and geography markers. For example, “I am a male New Englander” or “I am an American

5 APA Dictionary of Psychology https://dictionary.apa.org/identity proper citation to come

274 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

woman.” Assuming they are true, no one can argue against those identities, but do those statements
represent everything or at least most things that identify the speakers? Probably not.

Try finishing the statement again by using as many words as you wish.

I am ____________________________________.

If you ended up with a long string of descriptors that would be hard for a new acquaintance to manage,
don’t worry. Our identities are complex and reflect that we lead interesting and multifaceted lives.

To better understand identity, consider how social psychologists describe it. Social psychologists, those who
study how social interactions take place, often categorize identity into four types: personal identity, role
identity, social identity, and collective identity.

Personal identity captures what distinguishes one person from another based on life experiences. No two
people, even identical twins, live the same life.

Role identity defines how we interact in certain situations. Our roles change from setting to setting, and so do
our identities. At work you may be a supervisor; in the classroom you are a peer working collaboratively; at
home, you may be the parent of a 10-year-old. In each setting, your bubbly personality may be the same, but
how your coworkers, classmates, and family see you is different.

Social identity shapes our public lives by our awareness of how we relate to certain groups. For example, an
individual might relate to or “identify with” Korean Americans, Chicagoans, Methodists, and Lakers fans. These
identities influence our interactions with others. Upon meeting someone, for example, we look for connections
as to how we are the same or different. Our awareness of who we are makes us behave a certain way in
relation to others. If you identify as a hockey fan, you may feel an affinity for someone else who also loves the
game.

Collective identity refers to how groups form around a common cause or belief. For example, individuals may
bond over similar political ideologies or social movements. Their identity is as much a physical formation as a
shared understanding of the issues they believe in. For example, many people consider themselves part of the
collective energy surrounding the #metoo movement. Others may identify as fans of a specific type of
entertainment such as Trekkies, fans of the Star Trek series.

“I am large. I contain multitudes.” Walt Whitman

In his epic poem Song of Myself, Walt Whitman writes, “Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict
myself (I am large. I contain multitudes.).” Whitman was asserting and defending his shifting sense of self and
identity. Those lines importantly point out that our identities may evolve over time. What we do and believe
today may not be the same tomorrow. Further, at any one moment, the identities we claim may seem at odds
with each other. Shifting identities are a part of personal growth. While we are figuring out who we truly are
and what we believe, our sense of self and the image that others have of us may be unclear or ambiguous.

Many people are uncomfortable with identities that do not fit squarely into one category. How do you respond
when someone’s identity or social role is unclear? Such ambiguity may challenge your sense of certainty about
the roles that we all play in relationship to one another. Racial, ethnic, and gender ambiguity, in particular, can
challenge some people’s sense of social order and social identity.

When we force others to choose only one category of identity (race, ethnicity, or gender, for example) to make
ourselves feel comfortable, we do a disservice to the person who identifies with more than one group. For
instance, people with multiracial ancestry are often told that they are too much of one and not enough of
another.

The actor Keanu Reeves has a complex background. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to a White English

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 9.2 • Categories of Diversity 275

mother and a father with Chinese-Hawaiian ancestry. His childhood was spent in Hawaii, Australia, New York,
and Toronto. Reeves considers himself Canadian and has publicly acknowledged influences from all aspects of
his heritage. Would you feel comfortable telling Keanu Reeves how he must identify racially and ethnically?

There is a question many people ask when they meet someone whom they cannot clearly identify by checking
a specific identity box. Inappropriate or not, you have probably heard people ask, “What are you?” Would it
surprise you if someone like Keanu Reeves shrugged and answered, “I’m just me”?

Malcom Gladwell is an author of five New York Times best-sellers and is hailed as one of Foreign Policy’s Top
Global Thinkers. He has spoken on his experience with identity as well. Gladwell has a Black Jamaican mother
and a White Irish father. He often tells the story of how the perception of his hair has allowed him to straddle
racial groups. As long as he kept his hair cut very short, his fair skin obscured his Black ancestry, and he was
most often perceived as White. However, once he let his hair grow long into a curly Afro style, Gladwell says he
began being pulled over for speeding tickets and stopped at airport check-ins. His racial expression carried
serious consequences.

Figure 9.12 Writer Malcolm Gladwell’s racial expression has impacted his treatment by others and his everyday experiences. (Credit:
Kris Krug, Pop!Tech / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY 2.0))

Gender
More and more, gender is also a diversity category that we increasingly understand to be less clearly defined.
Some people identify themselves as gender fluid or non-binary. “Binary” refers to the notion that gender is
only one of two possibilities, male or female. Fluidity suggests that there is a range or continuum of
expression. Gender fluidity acknowledges that a person may vacillate between male and female identity.

Asia Kate Dillon is an American actor and the first non-binary actor to perform in a major television show with
their roles on Orange is the New Black and Billions. In an article about the actor, a reporter conducting the
interview describes his struggle with trying to describe Dillon to the manager of the restaurant where the two
planned to meet. The reporter and the manger struggle with describing someone who does not fit a pre-
defined notion of gender identity. Imagine the situation: You’re meeting someone at a restaurant for the first
time, and you need to describe the person to a manager. Typically, the person’s gender would be a part of the
276 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

description, but what if the person cannot be described as a man or a woman?

Figure 9.13 Asia Kate Dillon is a non-binary actor best known for their roles on Orange Is the New Black and Billions. (Credit: Billions
Official Youtube Channel / Wikimedia Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC-BY 3.0))

Within any group, individuals obviously have a right to define themselves; however, collectively, a group’s self-
determination is also important. The history of Black Americans demonstrates a progression of self-
determined labels: Negro, Afro-American, colored, Black, African American. Similarly, in the nonbinary
community, self-described labels have evolved. Nouns such as genderqueer and pronouns such as hir, ze, and
Mx. (instead of Miss, Mrs. or Mr.) have entered not only our informal lexicon, but the dictionary as well.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary includes a definition of “they” that denotes a nonbinary identity,

that is, someone who fluidly moves between male and female identities.

Transgender men and women were assigned a gender identity at birth that does not fit their true identity.
Even though our culture is increasingly giving space to non-heteronormative (straight) people to speak out
and live openly, they do so at a risk. Violence against gay, nonbinary, and transgender people occurs at more
frequent rates than for other groups.

To make ourselves feel comfortable, we often want people to fall into specific categories so that our own social
identity is clear. However, instead of asking someone to make us feel comfortable, we should accept the
identity people choose for themselves. Cultural competency includes respectfully addressing individuals as
they ask to be addressed.

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 9.2 • Categories of Diversity 277

Table Gender Pronoun Examples

Subjective Objective Possessive Reflexive Example

She is speaking.

She Her Hers Herself I listened to her.

The backpack is hers.

He is speaking.

He Him His Himself I listened to him.

The backpack is his.

They are speaking.

They Them Theirs Themself I listened to them.

The backpack is theirs.

Ze is speaking.

Ze Hir/Zir Hirs/Zirs Hirself/Zirself I listened to hir.

The backpack is zirs.

Table 9.1 The website Transstudent.org provides educational resources such as the above graphic
for anyone seeking clarity on gender identity. Note that these are only examples of some gender
pronouns, not a complete list.

Intersectionality
The many layers of our multiple identities do not fit together like puzzle pieces with clear boundaries between
one piece and another. Our identities overlap, creating a combined identity in which one aspect is inseparable
from the next.

The term intersectionality was coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe how the
experience of Black women was a unique combination of gender and race that could not be divided into two
separate identities. In other words, this group could not be seen solely as women or solely as Black; where
their identities overlapped is considered the “intersection,” or crossroads, where identities combine in specific
and inseparable ways.
278 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

Figure 9.14 Our identities are formed by dozens of factors, sometimes represented in intersection wheels. Consider the subset of
identity elements represented here. Generally, the outer ring are elements that may change relatively often, while the inner circle are
often considered more permanent. (There are certainly exceptions.) How does each contribute to who you are, and how would
possible change alter your self-defined identity?

Intersectionality and awareness of intersectionality can drive societal change, both in how people see
themselves and how they interact with others. That experience can be very inward-facing, or can be more
external. It can also lead to debate and challenges. For example, the term “Latinx” is growing in use because it
is seen as more inclusive than “Latino/Latina,” but some people—including scholars and advocates—lay out
substantive arguments against its use. While the debate continues, it serves as an important reminder of a key
element of intersectionality: Never assume that all people in a certain group or population feel the same way.
Why not? Because people are more than any one element of their identity; they are defined by more than their
race, color, geographic origin, gender, or socio-economic status. The overlapping aspects of each person’s
identity and experiences will create a unique perspective.

ANALYSIS QUESTION

Consider the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality; religion, ethnicity, and geography; military
experience; age and socioeconomic status; and many other ways our identities overlap. Consider how these
overlap in you.

Do you know people who talk easily about their various identities? How does it inform the way you interact
with them?

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 9.3 • Navigating the Diversity Landscape 279

9.3 Navigating the Diversity Landscape

Estimated completion time: 22 minutes.

Questions to consider:

• What happens when we make assumptions about others?

• Are microaggressions honest mistakes?
• How do I know if I have a diversity “problem”?
• How important is diversity awareness in the college classroom?

Avoid Making Assumptions

By now you should be aware of the many ways diversity can be both observable and less apparent. Based on
surface clues, we may be able to approximate someone’s age, weight, and perhaps their geographical origin,
but even with those observable characteristics, we cannot be sure about how individuals define themselves. If
we rely too heavily on assumptions, we may be buying into stereotypes, or generalizations.

Stereotyping robs people of their individual identities. If we buy into stereotypes, we project a profile onto
someone that probably is not true. Prejudging people without knowing them, better known as prejudice or
bias, has consequences for both the person who is biased and the individual or group that is prejudged. In
such a scenario, the intimacy of real human connections is lost. Individuals are objectified, meaning that they
only serve as symbolic examples of who we assume they are instead of the complex, intersectional individuals
we know each person to be.

Stereotyping may be our way of avoiding others’ complexities. When we stereotype, we do not have to
remember distinguishing details about a person. We simply write their stories for ourselves and let those
stories fulfill who we expect those individuals to be. For example, a hiring manager may project onto an Asian
American the stereotype of being good at math, and hire her as a researcher over her Hispanic counterpart.
Similarly, an elementary school teacher may recruit an Indian American sixth-grader to the spelling bee team
because many Indian American students have won national tournaments in the recent past. A real estate
developer may hire a gay man as an interior designer because he has seen so many gay men performing this
job on television programs. A coach chooses a White male student to be a quarterback because traditionally,
quarterbacks have been White men. In those scenarios, individuals of other backgrounds, with similar abilities,
may have been overlooked because they do not fit the stereotype of who others suspect them to be.

Earlier in this chapter, equity and inclusion were discussed as going hand in hand with achieving civility and
diversity. In the above scenarios, equity and inclusion are needed as guiding principles for those with decision-
making power who are blocking opportunity for nontraditional groups. Equity might be achieved by giving a
diverse group of people access to internships to demonstrate their skills. Inclusion might be achieved by
assembling a hiring or recruiting committee that might have a better chance of seeing beyond stereotypical
expectations.

APPLICATION

Often, our assumptions and their impacts are not life-changing, but they can be damaging to others and
limiting to our own understanding. Consider the following scenarios, and answer the questions that follow.

Scenario 1:

During an in-class conversation about a new mission to explore Mars, two classmates offer opinions.
280 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

• Student A says, “We should focus on this planet before we focus on others.”
• Student B responds immediately with, “If we’re going to stop climate change, we’ll probably find the
answer through science related to space travel.”

What assumption did student B make about student A’s point? What else, aside from climate change, could
student A have been considering?

Scenario 2:

For an important group project, an instructor designates teams of six students and gives them time to set
up their work schedule for the assignment. One group of students, most of whom don’t know each other
well, agrees to meet two nights later. They initially propose to get together in the library, but at the last
moment one member suggests an off-campus restaurant; several of the others agree right away and move
on to other topics. The remaining two students look at each other uncomfortably. One interjects,
suggesting they go back to the original idea of meeting in the library, but the others are already getting up
to leave. It’s clear that two of the students are uncomfortable meeting at the restaurant.

What might be the reason that two of the students are not comfortable meeting over dinner? What
assumptions did the others make?

Being civil and inclusive does not require a deep-seated knowledge of the backgrounds and perspectives of
everyone you meet. That would be impossible. But avoiding assumptions and being considerate will build
better relationships and provide a more effective learning experience. It takes openness and self-awareness
and sometimes requires help or advice, but learning to be sensitive—practicing assumption avoidance—is like
a muscle you can strengthen.

Be Mindful of Microaggressions
Whether we mean to or not, we sometimes offend people by not thinking about what we say and the manner
in which we say it. One danger of limiting our social interactions to people who are from our own social group
is in being insensitive to people who are not like us. The term microaggression refers to acts of insensitivity
that reveal our inherent biases, cultural incompetency, and hostility toward someone outside of our
community. Those biases can be toward race, gender, nationality, or any other diversity variable. The individual
on the receiving end of a microaggression is reminded of the barriers to complete acceptance and
understanding in the relationship. Let’s consider an example.

Ann is new to her office job. Her colleagues are friendly and helpful, and her first two months have been
promising. She uncovered a significant oversight in a financial report, and, based on her attention to detail,
was put on a team working with a large client. While waiting in line at the cafeteria one day, Ann’s new boss
overhears her laughing and talking loudly with some colleagues. He then steps into the conversation, saying,
“Ann, this isn’t a night at one of your clubs. Quiet down.” As people from the nearby tables look on, Ann is
humiliated and angered.

What was Ann’s manager implying? What could he have meant by referring to “your clubs?” How would you
feel if such a comment were openly directed at you? One reaction to this interaction might be to say, “So what?
Why let other people determine how you feel? Ignore them.” While that is certainly reasonable, it may ignore
the pain and invalidation of the experience. And even if you could simply ignore some of these comments,
there is a compounding effect of being frequently, if not constantly, barraged by such experiences.

Consider the table below, which highlights common examples of microaggressions. In many cases, the person
speaking these phrases may not mean to be offensive. In fact, in some cases the speaker might think they are
being nice. However, appropriate terminology and other attitudes or acceptable descriptions change all the
time. Before saying something, consider how a person could take the words differently than you meant them.

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 9.3 • Navigating the Diversity Landscape 281

As we discussed in Chapter 8, emotional intelligence and empathy can help understand another’s perspective.

Microaggressions

Category Microaggression Why It’s Offensive

“You’re an athlete; you don’t

Stereotypes athletes and ignores their hard work.
need to study.”

Educational
“You don’t get financial aid; you
Status or ”Even an assumption of privilege can be invalidating.
must be rich.
Situation

“Did they have honors classes at Implies that someone is less prepared or intelligent
your high school?” based on their geography.

You speak so well for someone Implies that people of a certain race/ethnicity can’t
like you.” speak well.

Calling attention to someone’s national origin makes

“No, where are you really from?”
them feel separate.“

Race, You must be good at _____.” Falsely connects identity to ability.

Ethnicity,
National “My people had it so much
Makes assumptions and diminishes suffering/difficulty.
Origin“ worse than yours did.”

“I’m not even going to try your

Dismisses a person’s culture and heritage.
name. It looks too difficult.”

“It’s so much easier for Black

Assumes that merit is not the basis for achievement.
people to get into college.”

“They’re so emotional.” Assumes a person cannot be emotional and rational.

“I guess you can’t meet tonight

because you have to take care Assumes a parent (of any gender) cannot participate.
of your son?”

Gender and “I don’t get all this pronoun

Diminishes the importance of gender identity; indicates
Gender stuff, so I’m just gonna call you
a lack of empathy.
Identity what I call you.”

“I can’t even tell you used to be Conflates identity with appearance, and assumes a
a woman.” person needs someone else’s validation.

“You’re too good-looking to be

Connects outward appearance to ability.
so smart.”

Table 9.2 Have you made statements like these, perhaps without realizing the offense they might cause? Some of these could be
intended as compliments, but they could have the unintended effect of diminishing or invalidating someone. (Credit: Modification of
6
work by Derald Wing Sue .)
282 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

Category Microaggression Why It’s Offensive

“I support you; just don’t throw Denies another person’s right to express their identity
it in my face.” or point of view.

“You seem so rugged for a gay Stereotypes all gay people as being “not rugged,” and
guy.” could likely offend the recipient.

Sexual
“I might try being a lesbian.” May imply that sexual orientation is a choice.
Orientation

“I can’t even keep track of all

these new categories.” Bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and other sexual
orientations are just as valid and deserving of respect as
“You can’t just love whomever more binary orientations.
you want; pick one.”

“Are you going to need help May stereotype an older person as lacking experience
with the software?” with the latest technology.

Age “Young people have it so easy

Makes a false comparison between age and experience.
nowadays.”

“Okay, boomer.” Dismisses an older generation as out of touch.

Projects a tendency to be aggressive onto a person of

“I bet no one messes with you.”
large stature.

Size “You are so cute and tiny.” Condescending to a person of small stature.

“I wish I was thin and perfect

Equates a person’s size with character.
like you.”

(To a person using a wheelchair)

Falsely assumes a wheelchair is a luxury; minimizes
“I wish I could sit down
disabilities.
wherever I went.”

Ability
“You don’t have to complete the Assumes that a disability means limited intellectual
whole test. Just do your best.” potential.

“I’m blind without my glasses.” Equating diminished capacity with a true disability.

Table 9.2 Have you made statements like these, perhaps without realizing the offense they might cause? Some of these could be
intended as compliments, but they could have the unintended effect of diminishing or invalidating someone. (Credit: Modification of
6
work by Derald Wing Sue .)

Everyone Has a Problem: Implicit Bias

One reason we fall prey to stereotypes is our own implicit bias. Jo Handelsman and Natasha Sakraney, who
developed science and technology policy during the Obama administration, defined implicit bias.

6 Adapted from Sue, Derald Wing, Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation, Wiley & Sons, 2010

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 9.3 • Navigating the Diversity Landscape 283

According to Handelsman and Sakraney, “A lifetime of experience and cultural history shapes people and their
judgments of others. Research demonstrates that most people hold unconscious, implicit assumptions that
influence their judgments and perceptions of others. Implicit bias manifests in expectations or assumptions
about physical or social characteristics dictated by stereotypes that are based on a person’s race, gender, age,
or ethnicity. People who intend to be fair, and believe they are egalitarian, apply biases unintentionally. Some
behaviors that result from implicit bias manifest in actions, and others are embodied in the absence of action;
7
either can reduce the quality of the workforce and create an unfair and destructive environment.”

The notion of bias being “implicit,” or unconsciously embedded in our thoughts and actions, is what makes this
characteristic hard to recognize and evaluate. You may assume that you hold no racial bias, but messages
from our upbringing, social groups, and media can feed us negative racial stereotypes no matter how carefully
we select and consume information. Further, online environments have algorithms that reduce our exposure
to diverse points of view. Psychologists generally agree that implicit bias affects the judgements we make
about others.

Harvard University’s Project Implicit website offers an interactive implicit association test that measures
individual preference for characteristics such as weight, skin color, and gender. During the test, participants are
asked to match a series of words and images with positive or negative associations. Test results, researchers
suggest, can indicate the extent to which there is implicit bias in favor of or against a certain group.
Completing a test like this might reveal unconscious feelings you were previously aware you had.

The researchers who developed the test make clear that there are limitations to its validity and that for some,
the results of the test can be unsettling. The test makers advise not taking the test if you feel unprepared to
receive unexpected results.

APPLICATION

Take the Project Implicit (https://openstax.org/l/IAT) test and write a brief passage about your results.

Do you think the results accurately reflect your attitude toward the group you tested on? Can you point to
any actions or thoughts you have about the group you tested on that are or are not reflected in the test
results? Will you change any behaviors or try to think differently about the group you tested on based on
your results? Why or why not?

Cultural Competency in the College Classroom

We carry our attitudes about gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, and other diversity categories with us
wherever we go. The college classroom is no different than any other place. Both educators and students
maintain their implicit bias and are sometimes made uncomfortable by interacting with people different than
themselves. Take for example a female freshman who has attended a school for girls for six years before
college. She might find being in the classroom with her new male classmates a culture shock and dismiss male
students’ contributions to class discussions. Similarly, a homeschooled student may be surprised to find that
no one on campus shares his religion. He may feel isolated in class until he finds other students of similar
background and experience. Embedded in your classroom may be peers who are food insecure,
undocumented, veterans, atheist, Muslim, or politically liberal or conservative. These identities may not be
visible, but they still may separate and even marginalize these members of your community. If, in the context
of classroom conversations, their perspectives are overlooked, they may also feel very isolated.

In each case, the students’ assumptions, previous experience with diversity of any kind, and implicit bias

7 Handlesman, Jo and Sakraney, Natasha. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/bias_9-14-15_final.pdf.
284 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

surface. How each student reacts to the new situation can differ. One reaction might be to self-segregate, that
is, locate people they believe are similar to them based on how they look, the assumption being that those
people will share the same academic skills, cultural interests, and personal values that make the student feel
comfortable. The English instructor at the beginning of this chapter who assumed all of his students were the
same demonstrated how this strategy could backfire.

You do not have to be enrolled in a course related to diversity, such as Asian American literature, to be
concerned about diversity in the classroom. Diversity touches all aspects of our lives and can enter a
curriculum or discussion at any time because each student and the instructor bring multiple identities and
concerns into the classroom. Ignoring these concerns, which often reveal themselves as questions, makes for
an unfulfilling educational experience.

In higher education, diversity includes not only the identities we have discussed such as race and gender, but
also academic preparation and ability, learning differences, familiarity with technology, part-time status,
language, and other factors students bring with them. Of course, the instructor, too, brings diversity into the
classroom setting. They decide how to incorporate diverse perspectives into class discussions, maintain rules
of civility, choose inclusive materials to study or reference, receive training on giving accommodations to
students who need them, and acknowledge their own implicit bias. If they are culturally competent, both
students and instructors are juggling many concerns.

How do you navigate diversity in the college classroom?

Academic Freedom Allows for Honest Conversations

Academic freedom applies to the permission instructors and students have to follow a line of intellectual
inquiry without the fear of censorship or sanction. There are many heavily contested intellectual and cultural
debates that, for some, are not resolved. A student who wants to argue against prevailing opinion has the
right to do so based on academic freedom. Many point to a liberal bias on college campuses. Conservative
points of view on immigration, education, and even science, are often not accepted on campus as readily as
liberal viewpoints. An instructor or student who wants to posit a conservative idea, however, has the right to
do so because of academic freedom.

Uncomfortable conversations about diversity are a part of the college classroom landscape. For example, a
student might use statistical data to argue that disparities in degrees for men and women in chemistry reflect
an advantage in analytical ability for men. While many would disagree with that theory, the student could
pursue that topic in a discussion or paper as long as they use evidence and sound, logical reasoning.

“I’m just me.”

Remember the response to the “What are you?” question for people whose racial or gender identity was
ambiguous? “I’m just me” also serves those who are undecided about diversity issues or those who do not fall
into hard categories such as feminist, liberal, conservative, or religious. Ambiguity sometimes makes others
feel uncomfortable. For example, if someone states she is a Catholic feminist unsure about abortion rights,
another student may wonder how to compare her own strong pro-life position to her classmate’s uncertainty.
It would be much easier to know exactly which side her classmate is on. Some people straddle the fence on big
issues, and that is OK. You do not have to fit neatly into one school of thought. Answer your detractors with
“I’m just me,” or tell them if you genuinely don’t know enough about an issue or are not ready to take a strong
position.

Seek Resources and Projects That Contribute to Civility

A culturally responsive curriculum addresses cultural and ethnic differences of students. Even in classrooms
full of minority students, the textbooks and topics may only reflect American cultural norms determined by the
mainstream and tradition. Students may not relate to teaching that never makes reference to their socio-
economic background, race, or their own way of thinking and expression. Educators widely believe that a

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 9.3 • Navigating the Diversity Landscape 285

culturally responsive curriculum, one that integrates relatable contexts for learning and reinforces cultural
norms of the students receiving the information, makes a difference.

The K-12 classroom is different than the college classroom. Because of academic freedom, college instructors
are not required to be culturally inclusive. (They are usually required to be respectful and civil, but there are
different interpretations of those qualities.) Because American colleges are increasingly more sensitive to
issues regarding diversity, faculty are compelled to be inclusive. Still, diversity is not always adequately
addressed. In his TED “Talk Can Art Amend History?” the artist Titus Kaphar tells the story of the art history
class that influenced him to become an artist and provides an example of this absence of diversity in the
college classroom. Kaphar explains that his instructor led his class through important periods and artists
throughout history, but failed to spend time on Black artists, something that Kaphar was anxiously awaiting.
The instructor stated that there was just not enough time to cover it. While the professor probably did not
intend to be noninclusive, her choice resulted in just that. Kaphar let his disappointment fuel his passion and
mission to amend the representation of Black figures in historical paintings. His work brings to light the
unnoticed Black figures that are too often overlooked.

Figure 9.15 In Twisted Tropes, Titus Kaphar reworks a painting to bring a Black figure to the forefront of an arrangement in which
she had previously been marginalized. (Credit: smallcurio / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY 2.0))

Any student can respond to a lack of diversity in a curriculum as Titus Kaphar did. Where you find diversity
missing, when possible, fill in the gaps with research papers and projects that broaden your exposure to
diverse perspectives. Take the time to research contributions in your field by underrepresented groups.
Discover the diversity issues relevant to your major. Are women well-represented in your field? Is there equity
when it comes to access to opportunities such as internships? Are veterans welcomed? Do the academic
societies in your discipline have subgroups or boards focused on diversity and equity? (Most do.) Resources for
expanding our understanding and inclusion of diversity issues are all around us.

Directly Confront Prejudice

To draw our attention to possible danger, the Department of Homeland Security has adopted the phrase, “If
you see something, say something.” That credo can easily be adopted to confront stereotypes and bias: “If you
hear something, say something.” Academic freedom protects students and instructors from reprisal for having
unpopular opinions, but prejudice is never correct, nor should it be tolerated. Do not confuse hate speech,
such as sexist language, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and acts that reflect those points of view, with academic
freedom. Yes, the classroom is a place to discuss these attitudes, but it is not a place to direct those sentiments
286 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

toward fellow students, educators, or society in general.

Most higher education institutions have mission statements and codes of conduct that warn students about
engaging in such behavior. The consequences for violators are usually probation and possibly dismissal.
Further policies such as affirmative action and Title IX are instituted to evaluate and maintain racial and gender
equity.

APPLICATION

No one knows when a racist or sexist attack is coming. The Barnard Center for Research on Women has
created a video suggesting ways to be an ally to people victimized by intolerant behavior
(https://openstax.org/l/dontbeabystander).

Affirmative Action and Higher Education

Affirmative action is a policy that began during the John F. Kennedy administration to eliminate discrimination
in employment. Since that time, it has expanded as a policy to protect from discrimination in a number of
contexts, including higher education. Most notably in higher education, affirmative action has been used to
create equity in access. Institutions have used affirmative action as a mandate of sorts in admission policies to
create diverse student bodies. Colleges sometimes overlook traditional admissions criteria and use
socioeconomic and historical disparities in education equity as criteria to admit underrepresented groups.
Affirmative action is a federal requirement to be met by entities that contract with the federal government;
most colleges are federal government contractors and must adhere to the policy by stating a timeline by which
its affirmative action goals are met.

Many interpret “goals” as quotas, meaning that a certain number of students from underrepresented groups
would be admitted, presumably to meet affirmative action requirements. Opposition to affirmative action in
college admissions has been pursued in several well-known court cases.

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

This 1978 case resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow race to be used as one of the criteria in
higher education admission policies as long as quotas were not established and race was not the only criterion
for admission. The case stemmed from Alan Bakke, an applicant to the University of California at Davis Medical
School, suing the university because he was not admitted but had higher test scores and grades than minority
students who had been accepted. Lawyers for Bakke referenced the same equal protection clause of the 14th
Amendment used to desegregate public schools in Brown v. Board of Education. The “reverse discrimination”
denied him equal protection under the law.

Fisher v. University of Texas

In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court decided another affirmative action case regarding Fisher v. University of
Texas. Abigail Fisher also argued that she had been denied college admission based on race. The case ended in
favor of the university. Justice Kennedy, in the majority opinion, wrote:

“A university is in large part defined by those intangible “qualities which are incapable of
objective measurement but which make for greatness.” Considerable deference is owed to a
university in defining those intangible characteristics, like student body diversity, that are
central to its identity and educational mission.”

In each of the above landmark cases, affirmative action in college admission policies were upheld. However,
cases of reverse discrimination in college admission policies continue to be pursued.

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 9.3 • Navigating the Diversity Landscape 287

ANALYSIS QUESTION

Examine your college’s code of conduct. You may find it in your student handbook, as part of an office of
community standards or engagement, or by simply searching your college site. How does the code of
conduct protect academic freedom but guard against hate speech, prejudice, and intolerance?

Title IX and Higher Education

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex,
be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” As with affirmative action, Title IX applies
to institutions that receive federal funding, such as public and charter schools, for-profit schools, libraries, and
museums in the United States and its territories.

According to the Office for Civil Rights, educational programs and activities receiving federal funds must
operate in a nondiscriminatory manner. Title IX addresses recruitment, admissions, and counseling; financial
assistance; athletics; sex-based harassment; treatment of pregnant and parenting students; discipline; single-
sex education; and employment.

Before the enactment of Title IX, there were few if any protections provided for women college students. To
give some perspective, consider this description of the circumstances:

“Young women were not admitted into many colleges and universities, athletic scholarships for women were
rare, and math and science was a realm reserved for boys. Girls square danced instead of playing sports,
studied home economics instead of training for 'male-oriented' (read: higher-paying) trades. Girls could
become teachers and nurses, but not doctors or principals; women rarely were awarded tenure and even
more rarely appointed college presidents. There was no such thing as sexual harassment because 'boys will be
boys,' after all, and if a student got pregnant, her formal education ended. Graduate professional schools
8
openly discriminated against women.”

The protections of Title IX have been invoked in college athletics to ensure women’s athletic programs are
sustained. In addition, schools must make efforts to prevent sexual harassment and violence. Gender
discrimination under Title IX extends to the protection of transgender students so that they are treated as the
gender they identify with.

ANALYSIS QUESTION

Based on the cases against affirmative action in higher education, are admissions policies that use race,
along with other factors, as admissions criteria fair? What other options do you think would create equity in
admissions?

8 WInslow, Barbara. “The Impact of Title IX.” Gilder-Lerhman Institute. https://faculty.uml.edu/sgallagher/The_Impact_of_Title_IX-

_GilderLehrman.pdf
288 9 • Understanding Civility and Cultural Competence

9.4 Inclusivity and Civility: What Role Can I Play?

Estimated completion time: 10 minutes.

Questions to consider:

• Is it my fault that I have privilege?

• How long will diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts continue?
• What is to be gained by cultural competency?

Privilege Is Not Just for White People

Privilege is a right or exemption from liability or duty granted as a special benefit or advantage. Oppression is
the result of the “use of institutional privilege and power, wherein one person or group benefits at the expense
9
of another,” according to the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work.

Just as everyone has implicit bias, everyone has a certain amount of privilege, too. For example, consider the
privilege brought by being a certain height. If someone's height is close to the average height, they likely have
a privilege of convenience when it comes to many day-to-day activities. A person of average height does not
need assistance reaching items on high store shelves and does not need adjustments to their car to reach the
brake pedal. There’s nothing wrong with having this privilege, but recognizing it, especially when considering
others who do not share it, can be eye-opening and empowering.

Wealthy people have privilege of not having to struggle economically. The wealthy can build retirement
savings, can afford to live in the safest of neighborhoods, and can afford to pay out of pocket for their
children’s private education. People with a college education and advanced degrees are privileged because a
college degree allows for a better choice of employment and earning potential. Their privilege doesn’t erase
the hard work and sacrifice necessary to earn those degrees, but the degrees often lead to advantages. And,
yes, White people are privileged over racial minorities. Remember Malcolm Gladwell’s explanation of how he
was treated when people assumed he was White as opposed to how people treated him when they assumed
he was Black?

It is no one’s fault that they may have privilege in any given situation. In pursuit of civility, diversity, equity, and
inclusion, the goal is to not exploit privilege but to share it. What does that mean? It means that when given an
opportunity to hire a new employee or even pick someone for your study group, you make an effort to be
inclusive and not dismiss someone who has not had the same academic advantages as you. Perhaps you could
mentor a student who might otherwise feel isolated. Sharing your privilege could also mean recognizing when
diversity is absent, speaking out on issues others feel intimidated about supporting, and making donations to
causes you find worthy.

In pursuit of civility, diversity, equity, and inclusion, the goal is to not exploit privilege but to
share it.

When you are culturally competent, you become aware of how your privilege may put others at a
disadvantage. With some effort, you can level the playing field without making yourself vulnerable to falling
behind.

9 Golbach, Jeremy. “A Guide to Discussion Identity, Power, and Priveledge.” https://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/diversity-workshop-

guide-to-discussing-identity-power-and-privilege/

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 9.4 • Inclusivity and Civility: What Role Can I Play? 289

APPLICATION

Think about a regular activity such as going to a class. In what ways are you privileged in that situation?
How can you share your privilege with others?

“Eternal vigilance is the price of civility.”

The original statement reads, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” History sometimes credits that
statement to Thomas Jefferson and sometimes to Wendell Holmes. Ironically, no one was paying enough
attention to document it accurately. Still, the meaning is clear—if we relax our standards, we may lose
everything.

Civility is like liberty; it requires constant attention. We have to adjust diversity awareness, policies, and laws to
accommodate the ever-changing needs of society. Without the vigilance of civil rights workers, society could
have lapsed back into the Jim Crow era. Without activists such as Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, and Flo
Kennedy remaining vigilant, women might not have made the gains they did in the 1970s. Constant attention
is still needed because in the case of women’s earning power, they only make about 80 cents for every dollar a
man makes. Constant vigilance requires passion and persistence. The activism chronologies of Native
Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, students, labor, and
other groups is full of stops and starts, twists and turns that represent adjustments to their movements based
on the shifting needs of younger generations. As long as there are new generations of these groups, we will
need to pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Your Future and Cultural Competency

Where will you be in five years? Will you own your own business? Will you be a stay-at-home parent? Will you
be making your way up the corporate ladder of your dream job? Will you be pursuing an advanced degree?
Maybe you will have settled into an entry-level job with good benefits and be willing to stay there for a while.
Wherever life leads you in the future, you will need to be culturally competent. Your competency will be a
valuable skill not only because of the increasing diversity and awareness in America, but also because we live
in a world with increasing global connections.

If you do not speak a second language, try to learn one. If you can travel, do so, even if it’s to another state or
region of the United States. See how others live in order to understand their experience and yours. To quote
Mark Twain, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” The more we expose ourselves to
different cultures and experiences, the more understanding and tolerance we tend to have.

The United States is not perfect in its practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Still, compared to much of the
world, Americans are privileged on a number of fronts. Not everyone can pursue their dreams as freely as
Americans do. Our democratic elections and representative government give us a role in our future.

Understanding diversity and being culturally competent will make for a better future for everyone.
290 9 • Summary

Summary
Understanding diversity, especially in the context of our country’s history, is an important part of being an
engaged citizen who can help us to adapt to a changing world. Diversity goes hand in hand with the concepts
of equity and inclusion, which increase the chances of equal opportunity and representation. Sometimes
creating inclusive communities upsets the social order with which people are familiar. Change can be difficult,
and people are passionate. These passions can disrupt communities and communication with uncivil behavior,
or people can “fight fair” and use strategies that allow for the smooth exchange of ideas.

Everyone has a personal identity made up of various aspects and experiences—intersectionality. Some
elements of identity place people in a diversity category. Some categories are expansive and well understood;
others are new and may face scrutiny. Policies and laws have been put in place to protect underrepresented
citizens from discrimination. These standards are constantly being challenged to make sure that they allow for
the shifting demographics of the United States and shifting values of its citizens.

Cultural competency, which includes our ability to adapt to diversity, is a valuable skill in our communities and
workplaces. The more culturally competent we are, the more we can help safeguard diversity and make
equitable and inclusive connections on a global scale.

Career Connection
Keisha went to a temp agency to sign up for part-time work. The person in charge there gave her several tests
on office skills. She checked Keisha’s typing speed, her ability to handle phone calls, and her writing skills.
Keisha also took a grammar test and a test about how to handle disputes in the office. The tester also had
Keisha answer questions about whether it was OK to take home office supplies and other appropriate things
to do and not to do.

The tester told Keisha that she scored very well on the evaluations, but she never called Keisha back for a job
or even an interview. Keisha knows that she presented herself well, but wonders if she was not called back
because she wears her hair in dreadlocks or because she has been told that her name sounds African
American?

Reflection questions:

• Can this student say that she was discriminated against?

• What would you do to determine why you were not called back for a job?
• Should Keisha ask about how her name and appearance were received?

Rethinking
Revisit the questions you answered at the beginning of the chapter, and consider one option you learned in
this chapter that might make you rethink how you answered each one. Has this chapter prompted you to
consider changing any of your feelings or practices?

Rank the following questions on a scale of 1–4. 1 = “least like me” and 4 = “most like me.”

1. I'm aware of the different categories of diversity and the various populations I may encounter.
2. I think we sometimes go too far in trying to be sensitive to different groups.
3. I think nearly everybody in our society has equal opportunity.
4. It’s not my role to ensure equity and inclusiveness among my peers or colleagues.

Where do you go from here?

This chapter touched on many elements of civility and diversity, and mentioned a wide array of groups,
identities, and populations. But the chapter certainly did not explore every concept or reflect every group you
may encounter. In a similar way, you can’t know everything about everyone, but you can build cultural

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 9 • Where do you go from here? 291

competency and understanding to make people feel included and deepen your abilities and relationships.

Sometimes learning about one group or making one person feel comfortable can be as important as
addressing a larger population. To that end, consider researching or discussing one of the following topics to
increase your level of civility and understanding:

• Appropriate terminology and ways to address members of certain populations. For example, ways to
properly describe people with certain disabilities, or discuss issues around racial or gender identity.
• Discussions or debates related to civility and intersectionality, such as whether “Latinx” should be used
instead of “Latino/Latina,” or whether certain sports team mascots can be considered offensive.
• Major historical figures or events related to a certain group.
• Academic majors and research centers/groups related to aspects of diversity.
• Historical events at your college or in your city related to civil rights.
292 9 • Where do you go from here?

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