"...people's different experiences should be embraced and celebrated."

Duwain Pinder (CWR '10) believes that the best way to encourage an inclusive climate is to acknowledge reality: Differences exist everywhere— and so do biases. He draws these conclusions based on experiences he had during his senior year, serving as president of the Undergraduate Student Government and as a core team member of the group that developed the university's Diversity Strategic Action Plan.

"We tend to gloss over differences," says Pinder, now a 24-year-old business analyst, "but people's different experiences should be embraced and celebrated." Pinder's campus involvement highlights the importance of encouraging people to honor their own distinct qualities and experiences, as well as perspectives that they themselves might not consider praiseworthy.

Authenticity remains the single best way to advance honest conversations and, Pinder says, honest and open conversations are an excellent way to practice awareness and promote diversity.

Because differences really do exist everywhere, when it comes to biases and stereotypes, everyone holds some biased beliefs (even if they think they don't). Usually, Pinder says, people are completely unaware of their own biases until someone points them out. The challenge, of course, is discussing differences and biases in a gentle and (hopefully) well-received way.

Ready to start talking? Here are some tips for opening up a dialogue about differences:

1 / Consider your brain: "Your brain places people in boxes because it's easier to deal with," Pinder says. "Our brains take shortcuts that allow us to compartmentalize and manage the world around us. Thinking about that can stop you from mentally putting someone in a box and also to understand biases from others."

2 / Be inquisitive, not accusatory: "When you see or hear biases, it is better to ask someone why they see things the way they do rather than call them racist or sexist," Pinder says. "Allow them to take a step back and think, then you can have a real, broader conversation."

3 / Choose your battles: Use good judgment, he says. "Calling attention to certain things in certain settings might not be worth it," he cautions. "Especially with people you have no relationship with."

4 / Timing is everything If you do decide to say something to someone, Pinder suggests doing it privately. If you're upset, wait until you calm down to broach the subject.