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Suzanne Rowe
ABSTRACT: How would you respond to a racial joke at a social event, a racial comment in a hiring meeting, a racial epithet in a CLE class? Would you keep silent or speak up? Would you know what to say to the elephant in the room? Too many lawyers keep silent, uncertain what to say in the moment and afraid that saying the wrong thing could make an uncomfortable situation worse.
This essay shares two approaches for responding to racially charged words, based on guidelines developed by experienced facilitators at workshops on becoming allies and teaching in challenging situations. After introducing each approach, the essay offers scenarios where racially charged words are spoken, followed by possible responses. The structure of the essay encourages readers to consider how they would respond to racially charged words.
Originating with a presentation at the 2016 ALWD conference, Acknowledging Lines: Talking about What Unites and Divides Us, the essay reflects one professor's efforts to educate herself about diversity and inclusion and to prepare to be an ally.