Abby Ferber Speaking Topics

• Valuing DEI in the Search and Hiring Process: What Everyone Needs to Know

• Critical Race Theory: What's The Fuss?

"What's the Harm?": Examining Microaggressions

Impact often does not align with intent. Microaggressions consist of the use of specific words, comments, common sayings, questions, forms of dress, assumptions, and expectations that may seem harmless, and to do not intend to do damage, but often do. The cumulative impact of these slights on a daily basis can be anywhere from offensive to traumatic. They can produce ongoing feelings of fear, threat, anger, isolation, and exclusion. They can inhibit the recruitment and retention of students and staff. We will contextualize microaggressions and uncover their often-unintended consequences. We will discuss solutions to effectively challenge microaggressions and examine many ways that individuals can examine their own unconscious biases.

The Matrix Model

This interactive dialogue introduces a theoretical, research-based model that provides a macro-level perspective of the dynamics of inequity and privilege. The dynamic model presents our own individual intersecting identities within the larger context of interpersonal relations, as well as organizational, institutional, cultural, and historical settings.

The visual image provides a fuller understanding of how systems of inequity work, marginalizing some while advantaging others. The model leads to a discussion of where and how we have the ability to create positive change.

The Language of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

Diversity and inclusion, equity vs. equality, privilege, intersectionality, and more. All of these terms can be confusing and may seem to overlap, nevertheless, understanding the differences is essential. In developing as individuals, organizations, or institutions, using up-to-date and appropriate language is important. What is the difference between cultural competency, cultural proficiency, cultural responsiveness, and cultural humility? Black or African-American? Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx? Homosexual, Gay, lesbian, and bisexual, queer, trans, and cisgender? People with disabilities or disabled people? What if we use the wrong term?

This session will examine all of these complexities, as well as the importance of self-naming in a historical context. We will examine why language is so important, and also, why we are destined to make mistakes at some point. When that happens, how do we respond? We will examine strategies to understand the current language landscape and tools for dealing with inevitable changes in the future.

Techniques for Dealing with Hostility and Hate Speech

The rules of the game have changed. We are now hearing more disrespectful dialogues, hostility, resistance, and blatant sexism, racism, and homophobia. All of these enter our workplaces and daily dialogues. This presentation will begin by examining the differences between free speech, hate speech, hate crimes, and freedom of speech.

We will then focus on the specific forms these take, their prevalence and impact. We will discuss possible responses to increasingly tense and hostile conflicts and examine concrete techniques to accomplish the following goals in order to create more inclusive climates: setting the stage for civil and respectful discourse; preempting conflict (not disagreement); methods for responding to inappropriate comments, hate, resistance, and harassment (including cyberharassment), as well as methods for engaging in respectful and civil dialogue across our differences.