Overview: Welcome back to the KCC Diverse Faculty Interest Group (D-FIG)! This semester we met four times and used the following text as our guide through the semester, Sue, D.W. (2010). Microaggressions and Marginality: Manifestation, Dynamics, and Impact. Wiley.

 

Readings for the semester (From the Sue book):

Ch.1, Microaggression, Marginality, and Oppression: An Introduction

Ch. 11, Microaggressive Experiences of People with Disabilities

Ch. 3, Microaggressions and the Life Experience of Latina/o Americans

 

First meeting: September 20th, 2011

Agenda

1. Welcome members to group & introduce co-facilitators
2. Review information about facilities and refreshments
3. Review group’s goal and objectives:
   •  Provide opportunities for participants to discuss their challenges;
   •  Validate the various experiences faced by faculty of under-represented groups, offer resources, and discuss solutions to these challenges;
   •  Provide participants concrete information and support to attain re-appointment, promotion, and tenure.
4. Ask group members to introduce selves by:
   1. Name
   2. Department
   3. Length of time at KCC
   4. Reason for interest in this faculty interest group
5. Segue into the reading for today’s session: Ch. 1 form Sue
   • Reiterate two of the book’s tasks: “Explor[e] the…dynamics of unconscious and unintentional expressions of bias and prejudice towards socially devalued groups… and how marginalized groups and individuals cope with them.” (p.vii)
   •  Ch 1: Microaggressions, Marginality, and Oppression—An Introduction
     •  Discussion Question #1: How applicable is the reading to your experience and your work here at KCC?
       1. Follow-up question: What microaggressions have you seen or experienced in your time here at KCC?
     •  Discussion Question #2: If you have experienced or witnessed microaggressions, what toll–if any–have they had on you?
       1. Follow-up question: If they have taken a toll, what kinds of support do you have to cope with and/or address them?

 

Second meeting:  October 18th, 2011

Since we were unable to finish our engaging and thought-provoking conversation about the marginality and racial, gender and sexual orientation microaggressions members experienced from KCC students, faculty and staff, we continued the conversation. This conversation included what students have shared about their experiences with racial microaggressions; many of those present could relate to students’ experiences. We ended this meeting discussing the strategies we utilize to not only survive these microaggressions but also to thrive in the face of them. It was noted by many that this FIG serves as an outlet, a way of coping with the aforementioned microaggressions and feelings of isolation.

 

Third meeting: November 15th, 2011

In this meeting, we discussed Chapter 11 of the Sue book which is about microaggressions experienced by people with disabilities. Given the increasing number of students with disabilities/different abilities and the number of KCC faculty with disabilities/different abilities who struggle in silence, this chapter and the subsequent conversation provided us with some insights and tools to use along our journey towards reappointment, promotion and/or tenure.

 

Fourth meeting: December 6th, 2011

In this meeting, we began to discuss the chapter about the microaggressions faced by Latin@s here in the U.S. Given the increase in the number ofLatin@s both in the U.S. and here at KCC, it was important to explore and discuss these issues as they are experienced by KCC faculty, staff and students. At some point, the conversation shifted to ways to engage KCC students in a series of conversations about their experiences as “minorities” and how these experiences have affected them. It was suggested that perhaps there could be a panel of under-represented faculty describing their experiences and then, breakout discussions amongst students and faculty. The second conversation could be solely about student experiences and the goal of this series would be to initiate change for under-represented faculty, staff and students at KCC. It was decided to re-visit this conversation next semester given this was the last meeting of the semester.