Graduates should possess the attitudes, beliefs, values, and self-awareness necessary to serve students who are culturally different from themselves. Specifically, students should be able to demonstrate:
- that they have carefully examined and, when necessary, challenged their own values, worldview, assumptions, and biases.
- that they possess specific knowledge about how gender, class, race and ethnicity, langauge, nationality, sexual orientation, age, religion or spirituality, disability, ability and institutional power affect individuals and their experiences.
- that they have the ability to effectively challenge and support individuals and systems around diversity issues.
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Homosexual Identity Formation Theory
After a student approached me and confided that he/she was wrestling with feelings of homosexuality, I realized that I had no idea what to say to him/her or how to be supportive. Fortunately, I was enrolled in Process of Adult Development and used the class as an opportunity to study Vivienne Cass' Homosexual Identity Formation theory (1984), a theory that would be directly connected to the struggles facing my student. This paper reflects not only my understanding of this theory, but also my struggle to balance this theory with my own beliefs.
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Class Privilege/ Diversity Workshop
In the Spring 2008 semester the Spiritual Accountability & Resource (SAR) Team sponsored a class privilege workshop. As students, faculty and staff entered into the dining hall for dinner, they were randomly assigned an eating area which represented 1st, 2nd or 3rd world eating conditions. Different rules were given to each of the tables and participants enjoyed a unique dinner experience. The event concluded with a discussion of the experience and included how we as Christ followers should respond. This experience was replicated in Fall 2009 by the Student Leadership Team and was entitled, "Supper of the Separated" and was well received by students.
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As a cohort we had the opportunity to visit both the Museum of Tolerance and the Japanese American Museum located in Los Angles, CA. These museums tell the story of shameful crimes that occurred as a result of fear. My experiences in these museums forced me to begin examining my own fears and biases towards people different than myself. Over time I have had to come to terms with my privilege and accept the responsibility that comes along with that privilege. Both the excursion to the museums and this reflection served as mediums for conversation and self-reflection.
