Panelists: Hon. Angela F. Lucero, Stella K. Shiroma Nakama (formerly Manabe), and Hydn Park
A lot of DEI training has focused on speaking up, which is easier said than done. DEI programs and resources that emphasize listening skills and perspective-taking have been unfairly criticized as anti-white, even when white traditions and norms are the foundation for those same programs and resources. We have learned that if we wait for the perfect time or the perfect words, then we will be waiting forever.
- This program is for anyone who has struggled with how to provide care and support for people and segments of our community with experiences and cultures different from their own—and wants to normalize diversity in white-dominant spaces.
- This program is for anyone who has experienced internal or external pressure to encourage others to adapt or conform—and wants to support others to show up as their whole self or gain insight into the tradeoffs.
- This program is for anyone who has changed their appearance or words to save time or feel safe in spaces designed to make some people feel safe at the expense of others–and wants to talk about the underlying complexity of those situations.*
The OWLS Transformation Committee is working to bring candid discussions with tools and strategies to listen generously and practice saying things that feel difficult out loud as we learn and grow as co-conspirators in pursuit of the OWLS Mission and build on the OWLS Spring CLE: Building Resilient Leaders that was held on 3/18 (recording available, 1.0 Ethics, 1.0 Access to Justice) with semi-annual (or more frequent) panel discussions, to follow on the well-received program: Practicing in Oregon as a Person of Color CLE on 4/1.
Thanks again to the Spring CLE presenters: Courtney Dippel, Bonnie Richardson & Ron Silver; the inaugural panelists: Judge Sinlapasai, Ekua Hackman & Helen Toloza; and our wonderful sponsors and co-hosts: Littler, Naegeli, ONLD, and LAWC.
Our program title, Say the Wrong Thing, is a nod to the recent OWLS Online Unbook Club Series and its subject matter, Say the Right Thing.
We hope you will join us for a discussion of strategies to develop inclusive leadership skills as OWLS continues to evolve as an impactful learning community.
*Please be mindful that safety and care for others is situational and to give yourself and others permission to withdraw or to focus on listening rather than sharing, as appropriate to the people, relationships, power dynamics, and place.
