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Tuning into the first #ESA2020 Live Discussion Panel: “Committing to Diversity: Perspectives on Inclusivity” Panelists are @EcoGreenQueen , James Rattling Leaf, Sr., and Aramati Casper.
To begin, @EcoGreenQueen expresses that hiring people of color is not enough: systems need to be changed to empower disenfranchised folks beyond their positions... including continued support and engagement.
#ESA2020
#ESA2020
Now, James Rattling Lead Sr. greets us in his own language (my first time hearing native language at an academic conference! 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤙🏽" title="„Ruf mich an!” (mittlerer Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: „Ruf mich an!” (mittlerer Hautton)">) He points out that tribal lands are in the process of restoration and calls on ESA to increase awareness of the issues facing tribal people.
#ESA2020
#ESA2020
He also encourages us to focus on the youth: young scientists and young tribal members. There is a particularly ripe opportunity to engage with tribal colleges.
He also calls on @ESA_org to create a declaration to include tribal representatives at the table.
#ESA2020
He also calls on @ESA_org to create a declaration to include tribal representatives at the table.
#ESA2020
Now Aramati Casper is speaking on the emotional labor required of marginalized people. Specifically, they describe a meeting in which they were told how to dress professionally, in a way that is stereotypically and unnecessarily gendered by society.
#ESA2020
#ESA2020
Aramati’s account is powerful, personal, and deeply sad. They highlight a very important point that there is no escape from uncomfortable, aggressive, and unsafe situations in the workplace so those with privilege must take these on.
#ESA2020
#ESA2020
Now some Q&A:
Q: How to get over threshold of faculty of color to create a more inclusive environment?
@EcoGreenQueen : Cluster hiring is one mechanism. Also being conscious about subtle and explicit messaging of inclusion
Q: How to get over threshold of faculty of color to create a more inclusive environment?
@EcoGreenQueen : Cluster hiring is one mechanism. Also being conscious about subtle and explicit messaging of inclusion
Q: How would you recommend initiating a scientific relationship with tribal communities?
James Rattling Leaf Sr.:
1. Do your homework
2. Hire a culture coach!
(First time I’m hearing about this- it’s a person that the tribe knows and who understands tribal nuances)
#ESA2020
James Rattling Leaf Sr.:
1. Do your homework
2. Hire a culture coach!
(First time I’m hearing about this- it’s a person that the tribe knows and who understands tribal nuances)
#ESA2020
Q: What advice do you have for those feeling burnt out pushing for inclusion?
@EcoGreenQueen : I often take steps back. Engagement is related to how much emotional energy I have and wether stepping in can actually be productive.
#ESA2020
@EcoGreenQueen : I often take steps back. Engagement is related to how much emotional energy I have and wether stepping in can actually be productive.
#ESA2020
Same Q
@EcoGreenQueen: Asking for help, like from a white friend to take on labor related to race, or from a straight friend to take on labor related to queerness.
*Side note: I love this suggestion!*
#ESA2020
@EcoGreenQueen: Asking for help, like from a white friend to take on labor related to race, or from a straight friend to take on labor related to queerness.
*Side note: I love this suggestion!*
#ESA2020
Same Q: What advice do you have for people feeling burnt out?
Dr. Aramati Casper: Finding people who will listen and care! Directly to non-dominant experiences. Also taking care of yourself, and especially easy to your limitations in this moment.
#ESA2020
Dr. Aramati Casper: Finding people who will listen and care! Directly to non-dominant experiences. Also taking care of yourself, and especially easy to your limitations in this moment.
#ESA2020
Now Dr. Aramati Casper on their role on Inclusivity section with @ESA_org.
They are on the executive board and the structure is informal- the only requirement is that you are okay with getting emails! All you have to do is email Dr. Casper or other section members
#ESA2020
They are on the executive board and the structure is informal- the only requirement is that you are okay with getting emails! All you have to do is email Dr. Casper or other section members
#ESA2020
Back to James Rattling Leaf Sr:
One model to think about engagement: place indigenous people in scientific institutions! He calls this the 3rd place: where indigenous and non-indigenous people can interact and collaborate.
#ESA2020
One model to think about engagement: place indigenous people in scientific institutions! He calls this the 3rd place: where indigenous and non-indigenous people can interact and collaborate.
#ESA2020
James Rattling Leaf Sr. continues:
They set up a fellowship to fund tribal students to get a MS degree. It took cooperation from tribal government and academic administrators, but also requires money!! Initiatives without funding are not so impactful.
#ESA2020
They set up a fellowship to fund tribal students to get a MS degree. It took cooperation from tribal government and academic administrators, but also requires money!! Initiatives without funding are not so impactful.
#ESA2020
Q: How can students drive the diversity discussion while navigating retaliation? And how to decide what to prioritize?
@EcoGreenQueen : There’s always a riskhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😞" title="Enttäuschtes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Enttäuschtes Gesicht">. In their experience, faculty was apathetic and/or support was only expressed in private.
#ESA2020
@EcoGreenQueen : There’s always a risk
#ESA2020
Q: How can students drive the diversity discussion while navigating retaliation? And how to decide what to prioritize?
@EcoGreenQueen : Build the coalition! Not just with others with your identity but those willing to work for change.
#ESA2020
@EcoGreenQueen : Build the coalition! Not just with others with your identity but those willing to work for change.
#ESA2020
Q: How can students decide what to prioritize when they have faculty attention?
@EcoGreenQueen : It’s a challenge to identify priority issues: maybe the one most important or that you have the most energy. What is the biggest need at the time?
#ESA2020
@EcoGreenQueen : It’s a challenge to identify priority issues: maybe the one most important or that you have the most energy. What is the biggest need at the time?
#ESA2020
Last Q: If you had a pot of gold, how would you spend it to innovate @ESA_org’s commitment to DEI&J?
Dr. Aramati Casper: Paying people to hear about their experiences and suggestions for change. And doing what they say!!
*me: [gif: dozens of signs saying YES]*
#ESA2020
Dr. Aramati Casper: Paying people to hear about their experiences and suggestions for change. And doing what they say!!
*me: [gif: dozens of signs saying YES]*
#ESA2020
Last Q: If you had a pot of gold, how would you spend it to innovate @ESA_org’s commitment to DEI&J?
James Rattling Leaf Sr.: Investing in intergenerational knowledge transfer with tribal communities. And challenging leadership to create new partnerships.
#ESA2020
James Rattling Leaf Sr.: Investing in intergenerational knowledge transfer with tribal communities. And challenging leadership to create new partnerships.
#ESA2020
Last Q: If you had a pot of gold, how would you spend it to innovate @ESA_org’s commitment to DEI&J?
@EcoGreenQueen : Provide resources for mentoring and training programs for underrepresented individuals. If the systems don’t change, they need to be more accessible.
#ESA2020
@EcoGreenQueen : Provide resources for mentoring and training programs for underrepresented individuals. If the systems don’t change, they need to be more accessible.
#ESA2020
Last Q: If you had a pot of gold, how would you spend it to innovate @ESA_org’s commitment to DEI&J?
@EcoGreenQueen : Relationship building is key because that is how scientific networks are built to be more inclusive.
#ESA2020
@EcoGreenQueen : Relationship building is key because that is how scientific networks are built to be more inclusive.
#ESA2020
