THRIVING IN COMMUNITY
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to inquiries regarding topics like the efficacy of Critical Race Theory , I believe it is still possible to move forward with compassion while simultaneously upholding your values .
Compassionately humanizing someone with a different perspective does not mean you cannot stand up for what you believe . Rather , it means knowing when to “ call in ” and “ call out .” While there are times to call an individual out for their oppressive behavior by publicly identifying their repeated lack of inclusion , often calling an individual in can be even more effective . “ Calling in ” can help an individual recognize mistakes while giving them the resources to move forward and to collaborate in making the community a more equitable environment .
Even as a school chaplain , it can sometimes seem more appealing to harbor deep anger and resentment for anyone questioning the inclusion work in our academy . And yet , I ’ ve found that responding to these inquiries with hostility does not seem to move the marker or lead to progress . For instance , in 2018 , I was plagued with grief following the passing of one of my favorite alumni . This special student was a member of the Muslim community , and I had made a commitment to continuing to create a safe space for each Muslim student on campus in their honor . Shortly after this devastating loss , an individual connected to the community attending a Woodward event approached me and made an Islamophobic comment . I was absolutely furious and filled with rage . I wanted so badly to scream , cry ,
“ Compassionately humanizing someone with a different perspective does not mean you cannot stand up for what you believe .”
and tell the individual why they were a horribly bigoted person . But instead , I took a deep breath and explained to the individual why their comment was offensive , shared about the peaceful nature of Islam , and told them about the amazing legacy of my former student . To my surprise , my response led to a positive conversation , an apology , and an exchange of information out of the individual ’ s desire to gain more accurate knowledge on Islam . And while , once again , there are times to call out , this is an example of where calling in allowed for continued conversation and the development of an additional ally .
Just as it is important to recognize where a compassionate conversation with those around us might be helpful , there are times when we must recognize that we are the ones who need a little nudge . According to our Woodward Academy faculty norms , developed in 2019 by our core inclusion team , when working with others , we should do our best to “ choose to believe that we all have the best intentions and that we care .” And yet , in
Page 18 Fall 2021 CSEE Connections