# data[].attributes.body
I’m most comfortable discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion when I know I am in a safe space, in a non-judgemental and inclusive environment. I also tend to withdraw if I notice people making certain assumptions of me because of race and gender.

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I am somewhat uncomfortable with discussing religion with people who are very religious and also trying to convert or convince me. I also have trouble connecting with “traditional” worldviews that are intolerant in nature, even though that intolerance may be culturally specific.

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I'm most comfortable talking about DEI topics when I'm with people who I know are on a similar wavelength as I am. But that doesn't help make change does it? Because of that I am more than willing to (usually gently) bring up the topic in any and all situations.

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Out of all of them, I think religion is the only topic I ever purposefully shy away from talking about. I'm not positive as to why, but I guess some of it comes from not knowing as much about all the sects of all the different religions. I try to learn about them and have a solid basic understanding, but there is so much more that I will never be able to grasp. I feel like I'm too surface level to be able to make my points as effective as I would like to (other than the most obvious - why would you discriminate against someone because of their religion).

# data[].attributes.body
I believe we must all be DEI practitioners and to do so well we must also be in a constant state of learning as discourse around identifiers and other DEI issues continues to shift.

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Among those willing (or at least interested) in doing the work

# data[].attributes.subject
Among those willing (or at least interested) in doing the work

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I've found myself having more and more conversations with a relative who has just started showing curiosity about DEI. It feels like the floodgates have opened and I'm having these conversations with them all the time because they expressed a small interest in being more inclusive. But at the same time, I have many relatives who haven't hit that point yet and thus I never have those convos with them. I know it's just as important to share with them when they are being racist or not inclusive, but just the thought of another argument makes me tired and causes me miss opportunities too often.

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I found a lot of difficulty in discussing sexual orientation with students who had questions last year, even as a queer person myself. In hindsight, I think it's because I was raised in a time and place where I was never allowed to speak of such things, much less ask questions. Maybe I was unconsciously waiting for a parent to overhear and angrily end the discussion immediately. But of course that didn't happen because we had created a classroom culture where students could ask these questions and have these discussions without that old fear. Old habits are are hard to break.

# data[].attributes.body
I am most comfortable discussing DEI with my friends, who engage in these conversations often both in person and over the phone on a regular basis. I feel safe and comfortable with that group of people, and our connection makes tough conversations possible. Having a discourse of education and acceptance (no fear of judgement) is imperative.

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I would say that religion might make me the most uncomfortable, but only in situations where the person/people I am speaking with share drastically different views than me, as I don't want to offend them but also don't want to create controversy. I am Jewish, and so there have been times where there is a fear of sharing that information with specific people I encounter. I am less confident discussing DEI in general with those that I am unfamiliar with, or if I am not sure yet about the "safety" of the space--are the people there to help educate others or judge them?

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It seems obvious, but discussing these topics in an environment where everyone understands that these topics are relevant and worth discussing. I've conversed with other school teachers/leaders outside of Avenues that feel stifled by their surrounding community when discussing DEI. It's especially frustrating when others stonewall and refuse to listen to other perspectives.

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Sexual orientation. I was raised in a very religious and traditional household that only recognized heterosexual relationships. Unlearning that "certain relationships and identities are right and others are wrong" has been a long process. But I'm committed to it because it is now a part of my belief system.

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I am most comfortable discussing DEI in a space where I know that everyone is open to growth and learning from others...meaning that we all acknowledge the limit of our own perceptive abilities based on our narrow lived experience. That said, I think that discomfort is always a part of these discussions, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

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Given my isolated upbringing regarding DEI, I sometimes am at a loss for how to discuss race.

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I am most comfortable discussing diversity, equity and inclusion when I'm in a safe space. A safe space to me is when I'm surrounded by open minds and open hearts. It is where I can speak my mind without judgment. It is where the people around are willing to learn and grow through thoughtful conversations.

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I am most uncomfortable discussing race and religion. I wasn't raised around religion, therefore I feel like I know significantly less than most. I am uncomfortable discussing race strongly due to the fact that I don't want to say the wrong thing. I think right now, everyone is still learning and and unlearning what's right and wrong. I am so worried about saying the wrong thing that I sometimes just sit back and listen instead of contributing to the conversation.

# data[].attributes.body
I feel most comfortable discussing DEI when I am in a safe environment with other open-minded and non-judgmental people who are committed to open and honest discussion.

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I feel most uncomfortable discussing topics of race because it is a highly charged subject and an identifier with that resonates very strongly with so many people. While I enter these discussions with only positive intentions, I do worry that my words and actions may unintentionally have a negative impact even if I am unaware of that potential impact.

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I've find myself most comfortable when I am around people I know will listen to understand and learn. And I feel most comfortable when I feel confident in my knowledge. But I am also learning, discussions about DEI are not always supposed to be comfortable, but that doesn't mean we should shy away from them.

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I am most comfortable discussing DEI with people who have inclusive mindsets and who are open-minded and who actively try not to judge others.

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I am most uncomfortable when someone uses religion as a justification for their bigotry and prejudice. "Well that is just what I believe" is not necessarily a hard argument to refute but it is hard to convince people otherwise.

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I think the most difficult identifiers to discuss are race and gender because as a cis, white woman, I will never truly understand their experience within the white supremacist and hetero/cis-normative society we live in. I can hold space, listen, learn and advocate, but I will never be able to truly put myself in their shoes.

# data[].attributes.body
Lift others' voices, accept responsibility, give credit

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Acceptance, empathy!

# data[].attributes.headline
Leaders must be good listeners.  We are all given two ears and one mouth after all!

# data[].attributes.subject
Leaders must be good listeners.  We are all given two ears and one mouth after all!

# data[].attributes.body
I love explaining black vs AA

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Modeling constant learning, openness, and growth.

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Modeling constant learning, openness, and growth.

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Asking questions in a curious and open way so that everyone's perspective and contributions feel genuinely valued; making sure all voices can be heard as equals.

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Empathy, intentional and present listener, authentic community member

# data[].attributes.headline
Not anymore maybe race with white students 

# data[].attributes.subject
Not anymore maybe race with white students 

# data[].attributes.headline
Actively working on yourself, modeling, and owning your stuff

# data[].attributes.subject
Actively working on yourself, modeling, and owning your stuff

# data[].attributes.body
I think an important behavior is to listen. We grow and learn ourselves when we listen to other's stories, experiences and perspectives.

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makes me the most uncomfortable (when interacting with people with a variety of ideologies) because I am aware that I have my own strong biases.

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A good listener, non-judgmental, courage to confront those who espouse views that invalidate certain identities

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Create safe space for conversations and feedback 

# data[].attributes.subject
Create safe space for conversations and feedback 

# data[].attributes.headline
Probably race because it's hard to own the ways that white supremacy benefits me regardless of how I feel about it.

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Probably race because it's hard to own the ways that white supremacy benefits me regardless of how I feel about it.

# data[].attributes.headline
Being an empathetic and active listener 

# data[].attributes.subject
Being an empathetic and active listener 

# data[].attributes.headline
I am becoming comfortable being uncomfortable and surrendering to the intention I have towards understanding. I've developed self compassion for the moments when I falter and feel like I've said the wrong thing because my intention remains unshakeable. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I am becoming comfortable being uncomfortable and surrendering to the intention I have towards understanding. I've developed self compassion for the moments when I falter and feel like I've said the wrong thing because my intention remains unshakeable. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Vulnerability and a commitment to understanding.

# data[].attributes.subject
Vulnerability and a commitment to understanding.