The Faces of Change in Your Communities

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The Faces of Change in Your Communities

• Christina Vasquez Case, Ph.D.
• Director, Alianzas/UME/UMKC-IHD
• Katy Fields, MPA
• Coordinator, Alianzas/UME/UMKC-IHD
• UMKC Institute for Human Development
• 2220 Holmes Street, Third Floor
• Kansas City, MO 64108
• [phone] or [phone]
• www.alianzas.us

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Discussion Topics
The Faces of Change in MissouriEconomicsPolitics
Information

• Demographics
• The Neighbor Game
• Cultural Reality Model
• Diversity
• Stereotypes, Prejudices,
• Discrimination

• Exercise
• Leaders and Community
• Action
• Summary

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DemographicsU.S. Population
1990
2000
2005
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DemographicsMissouri Population
1990
2000
2005
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DemographicsU.S. and Missouri Population
1990-2005 Percent Change
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DemographicsU.S. Population Projections
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DemographicsMissouri Population Projections
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The Neighbor Game
Imagine you live in a community of only seven
homes. One house is vacant and you may choose
your new neighbors from this list.

• 1. A church-going family
• 2. A Jewish family
• 3. A biker who plays music
• 4. A single female with children
• 5. An interracial couple with teenagers
• 6. A newly arrived immigrant family
• 7. A professional couple (doctor and nurse)
• 8. A couple with visible disabilities and
  children

Source X-Neighbors, was modified from the
Affirmative Action/Diversity Education Planning
Office document
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Parrillos Cultural Reality Model
Environment
Each individual observes the world through sense
perceptions, which are evaluated in terms of
culture values, attitudes, customs, and beliefs
(Parrillo, 200031). Source Parillo,
Strangers to These Shores, 2000.
Culture
Individual
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What is diversity?

• Exploring diversity
• What differences exist?
• International Diversity cultural differences
  outside the U.S. (e.g., foods, celebrations,
  dances)
• Domestic Diversity differences in the U.S.
  (e.g., among ethnic and racial groups, gender,
  religion, age, abilities, sexual orientation,
  education, class).
• Transnational perspectives

Diversity topic source http//www.cce.cornell.edu
/publications/catalog.html
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Pathway to Diversity

• Definition of diversity
• Differences among people with respect to age,
  class,
• ethnicity, gender, physical and mental abilities,
  race,
• sexual orientation, spiritual practice and other
  human
• differences.
• Source Pathway to Diversity A Strategic Plan
  for the Cooperative Extension
• Systems Emphasis on Diversity. 1991.

Diversity topic source http//www.cce.cornell.edu
/publications/catalog.html
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Perceptions and Attitudes

• Talking about differences
• Some believe more divisions occur
• Others believe talking about differences can
  encourage
• change to occur
• Considering differences, how are you treated?
• Privileged
• Oppressed
• Discriminated
• Leaders are change agents in their communities
• who can provide opportunities to all
  residents.

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Stereotypes, Prejudice, Discrimination

• Stereotypes can lead to prejudice and bigotry.
• Unchecked prejudice and bigotry can led to
  discrimination, violence, and in extreme cases,
  genocide.
• Prejudices can be spread by propaganda and
  misinformation.
• Discrimination
• Overt
• Covert

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Exercise on Stereotypes

• All athletes are ______.
• All people on welfare are _____.
• Hes so cheap. He must be ______.
• All people with AIDS are ______.
• All Harvard graduates are ________.
• All male hairdressers are _______.
• All MU Extension faculty are ________.
• All ______ people like watermelon.
• All Mexicans are ______.
• All Americans are _______.

Source http//www.remember.org/guide/History.root
.stereotypes.html
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Source Building Communities from the Grassroots
Community Development Academy Adapted from
Schaaf, Kathe and Teresa Hogue. 1990. A guide to
Community Action Planning in Oregon, Positive
Youth of Oregon.
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Leaders and Community Action

• Involve others who are typically left out
• Consider their cultural values
• Customs
• Traditions
• Communication
• Open dialogue
• One way communication
• What is being said within, and among, groups
• Language differences

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Leadership and Diversity

• Inclusion is a process that takes time and
  planning
• Try new and different ways to diversify
• Identify common goals
• Identify how participants will benefit
• Economics
• Civic engagement
• Become more knowledgeable
• Value and respect differences
• Identify ways of providing information, which may
  lead to greater participation

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Potential Barriers to Inclusion

• Mental Barriers
• Our thoughts and ideas
• Stereotypes
• Race and ethnicity
• Age
• Religion, etc
• Attitudes and feelings
• Physical Barriers
• Lack of transportation
• Language
• Location
• Accessibility, etc.

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Rules for Participation in Inclusive Groups
For people to participate, they need

• to be aware of the issues and the effect
• of the issues on them/the firm/the farm/the
  family/the
• community.
• to believe they have an opportunity to make
• a difference.
• 3. a basic understanding of how to make a
  difference in
• their community.
• 4. access to accurate information that can be
  trusted.

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The Faces of Change in Your Communities
The Faces of Change in MissouriEconomicsPolitics
Information

• Demographics
• The Neighbor Game
• Cultural Reality Model
• Diversity
• Stereotypes, Prejudices, Discrimination
• Exercise
• Leaders and Community Action
• Summary

• Diversity is not a programits a way of life!

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Contact Information

• Christina Vasquez Case, Ph.D.
• Director, Alianzas/UME/UMKC-IHD
• Katy Fields, MPA
• Coordinator, Alianzas/UME/UMKC-IHD
• UMKC Institute for Human Development
• 2220 Holmes Street, Third Floor
• Kansas City, MO 64108
• [phone] or [phone]
• www.alianzas.us