On behalf of NIRSA’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission, I invite you to take some time this week to review the resources below. Whether you choose to integrate them into an upcoming staff training or you’re simply reading them to expand your understanding of the vital topics of equity, diversity, or inclusion, these resources can help shape your perspective on social justice.

By Clint Smith | Ted Talk

Many of you who attended the 2016 NIRSA Annual Conference in Kissimmee, Florida will remember Clint Smith as the Opening General Session’s keynote speaker. In this video, using his well-known spoken word style, he discusses humanity and the experience of growing up black in America through both the perspective of his father and himself.

This video can be used during personal discussions about race or as part of staff trainings. It discusses why and how past experiences shape the lens through which people of color must view their world, and it provides insights into how they might talk about it while raising their children.

By Sam Killermann | Ted Talk

This video is a helpful tool for introducing conversation about gender on more than a binary scale (Male/Female), as it explores biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression. In the early January issue of the Know, Erin Patchett shared “The Gender Unicorn,” which gave a visual of the many continuums on which gender and sexual identity are perceived. In this video, author, comedian, and social justice advocate Sam Killermann illustrates that continuum with a bit of humor through a discussion of his own experience with gender.

This video can be shared with staff in advance of coming together for a meeting or training and then expanded upon in subsequent discussions. It can be used to generate sharing and dialogue on your campus.

Created by Sarah Morris, based on work of Beverly Tatum | Available on YouTube

In this short video presentation, Dr. Sarah Morris—teacher educator and former recipient of West Virginia’s Teacher of the Year award—breaks down many of the key concepts shared by Dr. Beverly Tatum, a well-known author who has written a number of books on racial identity. NIRSA’s Executive Director, Pam Watts, had the opportunity to interview Dr. Tatum last spring; a video and summary of that interview is available on the NIRSA website.

“The Complexity of Identity: Who Am I?” video presentation summarizes the impact of our multiple social identities on our beliefs and perceptions of the world around us. While I recommend a full reading of Dr. Tatum’s “The Complexity of Identity: “Who Am I?”—which is available in its entirety on the White Privilege Conference website and is also featured in the Readings for Diversity and Social Justice anthology—this short video uses images and excerpts to help illustrate the message and offer a more inviting entry point into the topics. This video is a good introduction to fundamentals of diversity and inclusion conversations and training exercises.

By Claude Steele | W. W. Norton & Company

Whistling Vivaldi is a book about the research and conclusions of social psychologist Claude Steele with specific focus on the effect of stereotypes and identity. He also shares ideas for reframing these lenses to create more positive results—particularly in the realm of education.

I would recommend this for the campus recreation professional who wishes to expand their understanding of the effects of predominant social constructs and explore what work has been done around the impact of identity in the higher education arena. That understanding will certainly be beneficial in the campus environment and while mentoring, teaching, and leading students.

Add your voice to the conversation

We encourage you to connect with colleagues from across North America on this important topic. Join NIRSA’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Community of Practice today to find more resources or to participate in the online discussion.

Associate Director of Recreational Sports Programs at  | NIRSA Profile

Marcus Jackson is currently Associate Director of Recreational Sports Programs at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; he also serves on NIRSA's Commission for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. You can reach him at mjacksn@umich.edu.