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Learning opportunities abound, especially when you’re in culturally diverse groups.  To wake up your awareness of the disparate impact of certain behaviors on people of color and white women, take a more objective look at the dynamics that occur during meetings, in public spaces, even in personal relationships. 

Notice who gets listened to, and for how long?  Whose comments get affirmed and supported? Who gets interrupted, spoken over, short-shifted in the amount of time given to speak? Whose instructions are followed?  Whose are questioned or ignored?  Note what you observe.  

Then, look for patterns concerning who gets interrupted, spoken over, questioned and challenged, ignored.  In a diverse group, very likely you’ll notice people of color and white women, being interrupted, spoken over, instructions disregarded, more frequently.  Enhanced awareness is your first step in the direction of constructive change.

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