Practical diversity: taking inclusion from theory to practice | Dawn Bennett-Alexander | TEDxUGA

We strive to embrace diversity and inclusion in our schools and workplaces, but we often fail to understand what this looks like practically. Dr. Dawn Bennett-Alexander believes that with a little effort, we can move diversity and inclusion from theory to practice. ​
Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander is a lawyer, an associate professor of Employment Law and Legal Studies at UGA, and co-author of the leading Employment Law text in the country, which created the discipline. Her life work is based on her belief that each of us is here for a unique purpose and come with the tools to accomplish it, including our race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. She believes part of her mission is helping people to understand that our differences should not be perceived as meaning "less than.” She is sure she was given three daughters to help with that mission, and she strives to change the world so that it accepts them as the incredibly wonderful creatures they are. “I believe that we have a responsibility to try in the ways we can, to change what we don't like about the world.” In the end, she believes “It’s ALL about LOVE…” She shares her musings in her blog, Peaces of My Heart.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@MegLthebagel]

Dr. Bennett-Alexander's presentation is one of my favorite Ted Talks. Insightful, smart, funny - she really nailed it in less than 20 minutes. I have already started and will continue to use her "three principles" moving forward to create a more tolerant outlook. Thank you!

[@kaustshroff381]

This was a lot of fun to listen to. She had a bit of humor to everything and it made understanding this crucial concept that much easier.

[@ramyhuber8392]

Have listened to first part of talk. I do believe in diversity of humanity. And in diversity in my own mind.

[@owheydusoapsk]

This is the way to approach the issue. Not blaming and shaming.

[@Chuckless86]

I listened to two other presentations dealing with this before finding this one. This is by far the best one that I seen!

[@kevindaley4520]

"It's all about love." A marvelous truth.

[@johnmcdonald5998]

A storyteller with a story to tell. Well done!

[@dennisr.levesque2320]

Pretty good. The key here is to recognize what's practical, and what's not. Sometimes, it can be tricky.

[@thewellbeingagent5209]

drops the mic... she executed this!

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Great talk. Interesting,, Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@user-ez2tm2rx3f]

Wonderful, Insightful and Novel [WIN], Thank you Dr. B.A. Loved it❤

[@hersheylima5482]

This is great on an interpersonal level. We need to get the institutional stuff now

[@alaatawfeeq2098]

That’s an amazing talk!

[@veronicatapia9818]

This is good stuff! The video was so enjoyable and educational. Thank you!

[@bohemianvegan]

Christians shouldn't use the Bible to hate homosexuals. People can disagree with someone else's actions and lifestyle without being a hateful person. The Bible doesn't support prejudice.

[@Alreadywil71]

This was great!!!

[@llamos]

Bravo!

[@deanmichael1279]

She co Authored Employment Law for Business 10e by McGraw Hill. Go read her chapter on title VII then flip to page 167 and read the third paragraph. How do you spend a WHOLE three chapters talking about Title VII and then recommend violating it?!?! Every time there is an OR there is a separate statement. Was it her? Did the editor add that in there? Who done and messed up?

[@nataliemarie4325]

Ok but the intro music is fire

[@GenXersJustWalkItOff]

$15,000,000 was not even enough.

[@cedric7122]

Greatness

[@elizabethdallas551]

I love people the way God loves people.

[@Kaymen1980]

.... By blaming humans for being made the way they are...? Yeah, god is an awesome parrent...

[@MrTheVolcom]

If you didn't know, now you know! Lmao

[@edwinamendelssohn5129]

Just use the correct word, coercion

[@nathanholland8105]

Love is how you see people not how you treat them. Seems pedantic but it fundamentally changes outcomes.

[@juliegrissom7796]

Love encompasses both, not one or the other.

[@nathanholland8105]

@turntimetable Do you really mean backwards. I understand if you think I'm wrong but "backwards" confuses me.

[@varizoom1]

My experience with inclusion is not with physically disabled but with behavioral challenged kids. One kid has fit everyday ruining the experience for the rest of the class. The result is whole class is cheated from learning and enjoying school because of one or two kids. The teachers are exasperated as they can't punish bad behavior and they can't teach well. If you put a kid in the corner its cruel "isolation", if you have them do push ups thats making "fitness a punishment". If you have them write (I will behave a 100 times) thats making "reading and writing a punishment". So the answer in the USA is let kids with terrible behavior have their way and ruin the education for all others in the class. So the higher ups that don't experience the situation say "all children deserve an education" but in fact just the opposite happens the entire class gets irritated, discouraged limited education and they do not enjoy the learning. experience. In fact the entire classroom is happy and relieved when when the kids with bad behavior do not show up to class. The parents that can afford to pull their kids from private schools that have these problems or they move family away to better run schools. One Bad Apple Really Spoil the Whole Bunch I believe that is true when it comes to inclusion of this type. It's a big time fail.

[@cadethumann8605]

I agree that there are certain limits to what diversity should accept. In your case, the mentally-challenged child should attend programs specifically designed for kids like him. In my opinion, if the person is capable of handling the opportunity, he/she should be allowed in it. If he/she doesn't, he/she should try something else that might be more suitable.

[@dennisr.levesque2320]

Every behavior is done with some kind of "reward" expected. Sometimes, it's just to be "cool". Are you talking as a teacher or a student? The "good apples" don't have to let the "bad apple" get away with spoiling the whole bunch. That's a cop-out.

[@juliegrissom7796]

You have a valid argument, Tom. But there is a method that you haven't tried; compassion, understanding, and mix in a little love. You see, you don"'t what that child is going through a home causing them to behave the way they do at school. In America, we like to push away, or dismiss things that make us uncomfortable; especially if they give us reason to pause and self-reflect. It's easy to label and harder to relate to a disruptive child; however, the latter can change the life of a child for the better. Good luck.

[@Khalikhalzit]

If a Western company with a diversity initiative opens a branch in say, South Korea, will the majority Koreans be given diversity training for the minorities who may work there? What if a branch opens in Cameroon?

[@musingsongbird8034]

Khal the Bald that's a completely different country. This is America- the "melting pot"- where the values of the country is based on diversity and inclusion. Not really an apt comparison to make to a third world, communist country like North Korea.

[@musingsongbird8034]

@Long Hair, Don't Care Is American history perfect? Dear God no. There have always been and always will be those who try to exclude or oppress others to keep their own power and ease. It has been and never will be right, and just because it was done in the past doesn't mean it is good to do now (shall we go back to blood letting and labotomies?) But America has always been established on the principal of freedom, freedom for all if you recall our Consitution and Decloration of Independance. And if that is what someone lives by then they need to step out of their viewing this country as only white and see all the colors that have always been here and always will be. We are meant to evolve, we are just taking those founding principals of our fathers to the next level. That's the true state of our nation, of our world, and we'll be much better off when we just finally accept it. Multiculturalism is shown to be systematically, scientifically and psychologically better for everyone involved.

[@ultravioletxrays125]

@@musingsongbird8034 then with multiculturalism needs to come with unity and an understanding of American culture and values. People come here, they can celebrate their culture, but they must be productive and understand ours.

[@AnonYmous-dc1ed]

@@musingsongbird8034 "where the values of the country is based on diversity and inclusion" Source?

[@FischerFan]

@@musingsongbird8034 So why aren't the diversity pushers as intimidated by homogenous societies in Third World countries to the same extent they are by European countries?

[@ArtDocHound]

Upsidedown cross.

[@craigsproston7378]

I agree with the 3 principles. Please don’t look for racism and sexism when it is not there. I think one of the problems with snowflakes and group identity and safe spaces is that most have never played with others and found solutions to everyday problems particularly relationships between people. This is a generation lacking resilience

[@spencexxx]

This could have been 10 minutes shorter.

[@sharinmythoughts2510]

Why DONT YOU TEACH MY EMPLOYER ABOUT REVERSE DISCRIMINATION???? THANK GOD WE GET TO VOTE!!!!

[@AkoutValentinoAkol]

Have a snicker, you're not yourself when you're hungry lol

[@jaquelinerojas5721]

There is no such thing.

[@hellogoodbye4061]

Sad to see that the only topic blacks can talk about on TEDx Talks is forced diversity, affirmative action and all that jazz.

[@udz39]

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