When we engage in conversations across cultures, there is always the risk that what we say might offend someone. Oftentimes we don’t even know why what we said was offensive. This interactive workshop is designed to assist participants in increasing their knowledge of microaggressions, or what racism looks like in the 21st century. Participants learn common triggers that push peoples “hot buttons”, identify and understand racial microaggressions in everyday life, and learn strategies to effectively communicate across cultures when racial tensions exist.

Will this Workshop be Recorded? No.

Intended Audience: This workshop is appropriate for library staff at any level or position.

About the Instructor: Ilsa Govan is co-founder of Cultures Connecting. Ilsa has more than 15 years of experience as a facilitator, consultant, writer and social justice activist. She has led conversations about racial equity at workshops and conferences across the country and helps coordinate the white caucus at the annual national White Privilege Conference. Prior to Cultures Connecting, Ilsa worked as an Equity and Race Specialist for Seattle Public Schools where she was tasked with addressing institutional racism in a large organization.  She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from Western Washington University and her Master's Degree in Bicultural Human Development from Pacific Oaks College Northwest. Ilsa is deeply invested in examining how her own identity influences her interactions with others, particularly through the lens of privilege and oppression. Ilsa is the co-author, with Caprice Hollins, of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Strategies for Facilitating Conversations on Race.