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Reflection Essay 'Day Of Dialog'

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Day of Dialog Reflection Essay
“Freedom, Justice, for all.” These words echoed through the DePauw University field house last Wednesday on the second annual Day of Dialogue. This event was held to raise awareness about campus social issues, and to teach individuals how to properly communicate about conflicts on campus such as race, sexuality, diversity, inclusion, etc. The Day of Dialogue along with Peggy McIntosh’s piece, Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, illustrated how individuals of different backgrounds perceive race in America. Both sources challenge individuals to define diversity, and to evaluate how all of us can use our different privileges to promote a civil society that is committed to equality for all. DePauw University is a diverse community that all of us have a role to play in promoting social justice. By recognizing individual privileges, improved communication, and tolerance for others, we can improve our community as a whole. Peggy McIntosh’s piece Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack illustrates the idea that racism is not only an intentional act by a single individual, …show more content…

McIntosh examines the issue of unintentional racism, by explaining that minorities receive different treatment than the majority whenever the walk into the public sphere. This would be an example of de facto segregation, because it is not intentional segregation or racism despite its constant occurrence. The day of dialog reinforced McIntosh’s idea of unintentional racism, by encouraging students to understand the privileges they have whenever they make up a majority group. The majority of a group could relate to race, religion, sexual orientation, or even right-handedness. Ultimately, in order to promote justice for all within our society all individuals need to understand the individual privileges we all have, and work to create an environment where all groups of people can experience equal opportunity regardless of our

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