Session Title | Goal of the Session | Opposing Views | Valid Counterargument |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1: Understanding Racism | To provide historical context and awareness of racism's impact | "Racism is a thing of the past and doesn't affect us now." | Valid Counterargument: Understanding history helps us recognize persistent racial disparities and work towards a more equitable future. |
Session 2: Implicit Bias Awareness | To raise awareness of unconscious biases and promote fair treatment | "I don't have biases, and this session is unnecessary." | Valid Counterargument: Everyone has biases, and becoming aware of them allows us to challenge and mitigate their impact. It promotes fair treatment and fosters a more inclusive environment. |
Session 3: Exploring Preamble's Values | To connect the values in the preamble to anti-racism efforts | "The preamble is just symbolic and not relevant today." | Valid Counterargument: The values in the preamble are foundational principles that guide our society. By exploring their relevance, we can apply them to address contemporary issues, including racism. |
Session 4: Policy Review and Implementation | To identify and address biases in existing policies | "Our policies are already fair and unbiased." | Valid Counterargument: Policies, even with good intentions, can unintentionally perpetuate biases. Reviewing and improving policies ensures they align with anti-racist principles and promote fairness for all. |
Session 5: Community Engagement | To foster relationships and collaboration with diverse communities | "We should focus on internal matters, not external ones." | Valid Counterargument: Building strong relationships and collaborating with diverse communities is essential for understanding their needs, addressing racial disparities, and creating an inclusive environment that benefits everyone, both internally and externally. |
Session 6: Creating an Inclusive Workplace | To promote inclusive language and behavior | "We already treat everyone equally; this session is redundant." | Valid Counterargument: Treating everyone equally is important, but fostering an inclusive workplace goes beyond equality. It involves creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute their unique perspectives, which requires intentional efforts to address unconscious biases and promote inclusive behavior. |
Session 7: Accountability and Reporting | To establish mechanisms for addressing incidents of racism and bias | "Reporting mechanisms may lead to false accusations." | Valid Counterargument: While false accusations can occur in any system, having accountability and reporting mechanisms is crucial for addressing incidents of racism and bias, providing a safe space for victims, and ensuring a fair and unbiased investigation process that protects both parties involved. |
Session 8: Ongoing Support and Development | To provide support and resources for employees' anti-racism journey | "This session is unnecessary; everyone should fend for themselves." | Valid Counterargument: Providing ongoing support and development opportunities creates a supportive environment where individuals can continue learning and growing in their anti-racism efforts. It fosters a sense of community and collaboration, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable change. |
Session 9: Evaluation and Feedback | To evaluate the effectiveness of the program and gather feedback | "Program evaluation is a waste of time and resources." | Valid Counterargument: Evaluation and feedback are crucial for assessing the impact of the program, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring that resources are effectively allocated. It allows us to make data-driven decisions and continuously enhance the program's effectiveness. |
Session 10: Celebration and Recognition | To celebrate successes and reinforce commitment to anti-racism efforts | "Celebrating achievements is unnecessary; let's focus on the work." | Valid Counterargument: Celebrating successes and recognizing individuals' efforts is important for morale, motivation, and reinforcing the commitment to anti-racism efforts. It serves as a reminder of progress made and encourages continued dedication and engagement in the ongoing work of creating an inclusive environment. |