Iowa State University faculty do a pretty thorough job teaching students about the dangers of microaggressions and stereotypes, but now they’ve starting reaching out to local businesses and organizations to educate them on “promoting feelings of inclusion.”
Beginning in January, the university’s extension and outreach department has been offering community workshops under the title, “Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts.” The two-hour training sessions are available to “agencies, businesses and groups interested in promoting feelings of inclusion,” according the department’s website.
The curriculum is based on a book, “Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts,” by diversity and inclusion specialist Leslie Aguilar, and will focus on “six specific techniques” for “responding to difficult situations,” including saying the word “ouch.”
Malisa Rader, a human science specialist at Iowa State who is overseeing the workshops, told the College Fix that the training sessions will discuss “simple non-blaming strategies” for communicating “respectfully in a diverse world.” A number of local businesses and nonprofit organization have already expressed interest in the workshops.
“Sometimes we hear stereotypes and generalizations that others may not even realize are insensitive,” Rader said in previous interview advertising the workshops. “Even when the intent was not to be hurtful, we shouldn’t be silent. When we let hurtful words slide without reproach, we send a message of acceptance about them. Increasing comfort, confidence and skill are critical to being able to respond effectively.”
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