How to Have Conversations About Race, Class, and Gender

Conversations regarding race, class, and gender are difficult to have as they include perspectives and experiences that often differ from one another. While these conversations may be uncomfortable to have, they are the most important. It is necessary to have such conversations in a productive manner and to be aware of the things that are said and the impact they can have. While participating in these conversations, it is likely for biases to come out, often in ways that are outside of one’s awareness, but as Derald Wing Sue says “none of us willingly acquires these biases when we're born.” There is no perfect way to have these conversations, but there are ways to make them productive and respectful. When a member of a marginalized group is speaking about the oppression they have faced in their lives, it is important, especially if you are part of the counterpart majority group, to refrain from dominating the conversation or questioning the experiences they are sharing. Dr. Sue gives the following additional advice to consider when having such conversations:

1. Be constantly vigilant of your own biases and fears.

2. Seek out interaction with people who differ from you (in terms of race, culture, ethnicity, and other qualities).

3. Don't be defensive.

4. Be open to discussing your own attitudes and biases and how they might have hurt others or in some sense revealed bias on your part.

5. Be an ally, by standing personally against all forms of bias and discrimination.

Having conversations regarding race, class, and gender are incredibly important, but what you do after these conversations is equally important. In the circumstance that you are part of a majority group, it is important to use the platform that being part of a majority provides you with to spread the experiences and messages of minorities. Having a platform also makes it imperative that you speak up when you witness or hear of an offensive action or statement occurring. If you have the power to speak up, do so. The article Teaching Tolerance challenges those in positions of power to risk their own comfort and ease in the face of witnessing unfairness and mistreatment towards those in marginalized groups. This can be calling a friend out for a questionable joke, participating in protests even if you are not the subject that the protest is directly advocating for, or engaging in efforts to introduce more inclusive practice at school or your workplace.