Guide to Respectful Conversations

GUIDE to RESPECTFUL CONVERSATIONS The first step to eliminating racism and inequality is to talk about it openly and honestly, which you’re about to do. Yet, talking about racial inequality can be challenging. Remember that each of us has multiple identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class, ability, etc.) and that we also don’t always know another person’s identities and experiences from their physical appearance. If you’re comfortable, share moments from your experience that will inform what you are emotionally bringing to the discussion and invite others to do the same. People will have different reactions to the difficult conversations you’ll be facilitating. Know that being uncomfortable isn’t always a bad thing, especially if you’re used to feeling comfortable. Your goal as the host should be to create a space in which individuals can express and listen to each other's lived experiences and where both their experience and someone else's are incorporated into a larger communal narrative. Here are some suggestions about how to create that space.