Racial Battle Fatigue – On-Demand Training

Manage Student Frictions Surrounding Race, Engage in Self-Care & Encourage Dialogue to Move Equity Forward on Your Campus

While many of us have taken steps to identify and curb instances of microaggressions, we may not always notice the cumulative after-effects of being continuously treated as "the other" on campus. When a Black student, faculty, or staff member at a historically white campus isn't feeling so well, even those who care and support them may not suspect that they actually may be physically sick...of experiencing racism.

Through repeated microaggressions, subtle messaging, and, sometimes, bold and clear examples of structural and interpersonal racism, Black students, in particular, have been found to be routinely questioned about their value and fit on campuses that should feel welcoming. Because of this, our campuses can reproduce inequity in education, creating an environment that feels less like home and more like a space to defend your presence in. Many professional staff are expected to recognize the cumulative effect of race on a students’ life and academics, show empathy and support, and, overall, ensure that all students of all racial backgrounds are truly having an equitable experience.

Learn to acknowledge and work against the narrative that historically white higher education institutions simply aren’t spaces for Black and Brown students.

You’ll be able to manage the frictions around racial expectations that exist between students, facilitate conversations about the topic directly, and encourage the conversations needed to move equity forward on your campus.

Topics Covered

Join your peers and get actionable takeaways so you can:

• Learn tools to share with others so all students are welcomed regardless of race — avoid structuring moments that are likely to cause Racial Battle Fatigue.
• Manage the friction that exists between students so you can facilitate conversations that avoid defending one’s right to be — encourage high-quality dialogue that doesn’t question others’ validity.
• Provide hope and guidance to students experiencing battle fatigue — help students (and colleagues) understand how to engage in self-care and self-advocacy.
• Help create a safe environment for all students — regardless of racial identity — so you can engage them, retain them and graduate them.

Presenter

Rhonda Fitzgerald serves as the Managing Director for the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network and works to train, mentor, and provide guidance to a broad range of institutions and individuals seeking to transform their communities through Sustained Dialogue.
Click here for full bio.