Learning Community Book Groups on Inclusive and Respectful Communication Now Seeking Participants

Image

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is continuing the Learning Communities Book Group  initiative with nine new groups, which will begin meeting this month. Groups are now open for anyone in the campus community to join. These small informal discussion groups will center around Verna Myers’s book “What if I Say the Wrong Thing?”

“What if I Say the Wrong Thing?” supports the goal of the learning community, which is to create spaces to develop skills and unpack challenges to building respectful community.

The structure of the groups enable participants to practice thoughtful interaction across difference and practice culturally effective habits to build authentic and inclusive relationships across race, gender, class, culture, age and ability. The book provides readers with tips on improving communication, the ongoing process of inclusive and respectful engagement and how to recognize and address internal biases.

Participants will be provided a free copy of the book. An accessible version for screen readers is available for the visually impaired or blind. 

Learning community members will have access to online resources to reference and guide them as they read. More information on meeting times location and registration is available at http://www.umass.edu/diversity/join-conversation.