we live in an era that places the utmost value on the notion of efficiency
value on the notion of efficiency
value on the notion of efficiency efficiency is defined as the state of
efficiency is defined as the state of
efficiency is defined as the state of achieving maximum productivity with
achieving maximum productivity with
achieving maximum productivity with minimal wasted effort or expense in the
minimal wasted effort or expense in the
minimal wasted effort or expense in the home energy efficient appliances help us
home energy efficient appliances help us
home energy efficient appliances help us save power and protect the environment
save power and protect the environment
save power and protect the environment and high-intensity interval training is
and high-intensity interval training is
and high-intensity interval training is an efficient way to squeeze in a good
an efficient way to squeeze in a good
an efficient way to squeeze in a good workout when you’re in a time crunch
workout when you’re in a time crunch
workout when you’re in a time crunch efficient communication technologies
efficient communication technologies
efficient communication technologies such as voice-to-text allow us to
such as voice-to-text allow us to
such as voice-to-text allow us to communicate quickly and while on the
communicate quickly and while on the
communicate quickly and while on the move but when it comes to communication
move but when it comes to communication
move but when it comes to communication I argue that efficiency isn’t always
I argue that efficiency isn’t always
I argue that efficiency isn’t always helpful and I’ll explain what I mean as
helpful and I’ll explain what I mean as
helpful and I’ll explain what I mean as more and more modes of communication
more and more modes of communication
more and more modes of communication technology develop we can see that an
technology develop we can see that an
technology develop we can see that an emphasis on efficiency is actually
emphasis on efficiency is actually
emphasis on efficiency is actually changing the way that we communicate
changing the way that we communicate
changing the way that we communicate with one another less and less people
with one another less and less people
with one another less and less people make phone calls and more people rely on
make phone calls and more people rely on
make phone calls and more people rely on efficient modes of technology such as
efficient modes of technology such as
efficient modes of technology such as text messaging or instant messages well
text messaging or instant messages well
text messaging or instant messages well any way that you look at it when we see
any way that you look at it when we see
any way that you look at it when we see our communication get more efficient
our communication get more efficient
our communication get more efficient there is almost always a significant
there is almost always a significant
there is almost always a significant sacrifice of details and it is these
sacrifice of details and it is these
sacrifice of details and it is these details that frequently provide us with
details that frequently provide us with
details that frequently provide us with contextual cues that when lost can
contextual cues that when lost can
contextual cues that when lost can negatively impact the effectiveness of
negatively impact the effectiveness of
negatively impact the effectiveness of our messages when we interact we use
our messages when we interact we use
our messages when we interact we use labels in order to make sense of who we
labels in order to make sense of who we
labels in order to make sense of who we are in relation to other people this is
are in relation to other people this is
are in relation to other people this is pretty normal human behavior we are
pretty normal human behavior we are
pretty normal human behavior we are wired this way now these labels are the
wired this way now these labels are the
wired this way now these labels are the foundations for building blocks of
foundations for building blocks of
foundations for building blocks of identities that we construct for other
identities that we construct for other
identities that we construct for other people and they typically will reference
people and they typically will reference
people and they typically will reference what we perceive to be the most
what we perceive to be the most
what we perceive to be the most significant or obvious characteristics
significant or obvious characteristics
significant or obvious characteristics that a person may have while labels may
that a person may have while labels may
that a person may have while labels may be an efficient way of summing up who
be an efficient way of summing up who
be an efficient way of summing up who the world is or who the people are in
the world is or who the people are in
the world is or who the people are in the world around us
the world around us
the world around us it isn’t helpful
it isn’t helpful
it isn’t helpful and often can cause problems here’s why
and often can cause problems here’s why
and often can cause problems here’s why social psych psychologists and
social psych psychologists and
social psych psychologists and communication scholars interested in how
communication scholars interested in how
communication scholars interested in how the brain processes information have
the brain processes information have
the brain processes information have identified what is known as the click
identified what is known as the click
identified what is known as the click whirr response click whirr is
whirr response click whirr is
whirr response click whirr is essentially an automated process in the
essentially an automated process in the
essentially an automated process in the brain that is put in motion by a
brain that is put in motion by a
brain that is put in motion by a particular trigger these triggers are
particular trigger these triggers are
particular trigger these triggers are frequently words in the form of labels
frequently words in the form of labels
frequently words in the form of labels and the images that we associate with
and the images that we associate with
and the images that we associate with particular labels now like I said human
particular labels now like I said human
particular labels now like I said human beings are already pretty efficient we
beings are already pretty efficient we
beings are already pretty efficient we are wired to recognize patterns and
are wired to recognize patterns and
are wired to recognize patterns and quickly categorize information for
quickly categorize information for
quickly categorize information for future retrieval but when we get caught
future retrieval but when we get caught
future retrieval but when we get caught up in a click word type response we
up in a click word type response we
up in a click word type response we don’t have the opportunity to question
don’t have the opportunity to question
don’t have the opportunity to question why we are responding in the way that we
why we are responding in the way that we
why we are responding in the way that we do we are essentially on autopilot now
do we are essentially on autopilot now
do we are essentially on autopilot now as a rhetorical scholar I’m interested
as a rhetorical scholar I’m interested
as a rhetorical scholar I’m interested in how things like identity labels and
in how things like identity labels and
in how things like identity labels and the images associated with those labels
the images associated with those labels
the images associated with those labels can function as triggers that put in
can function as triggers that put in
can function as triggers that put in motion responses that then lead to the
motion responses that then lead to the
motion responses that then lead to the creation of and maintenance of social
creation of and maintenance of social
creation of and maintenance of social problems such as social divisions this
problems such as social divisions this
problems such as social divisions this work is grounded in the assumption that
work is grounded in the assumption that
work is grounded in the assumption that the meanings that we attach to these
the meanings that we attach to these
the meanings that we attach to these labels are socially constructed this
labels are socially constructed this
labels are socially constructed this means that we come to understand the
means that we come to understand the
means that we come to understand the world around us by our everyday
world around us by our everyday
world around us by our everyday communication whether it be interacting
communication whether it be interacting
communication whether it be interacting with our family and our friends
with our family and our friends
with our family and our friends conversations that we have in school
conversations that we have in school
conversations that we have in school during lecture are textbooks social
during lecture are textbooks social
during lecture are textbooks social media streaming services films you go
media streaming services films you go
media streaming services films you go see in the theatre etc all of these
see in the theatre etc all of these
see in the theatre etc all of these sources of information teach us what
sources of information teach us what
sources of information teach us what certain labels mean now we also have
certain labels mean now we also have
certain labels mean now we also have labels that we use to describe ourselves
labels that we use to describe ourselves
labels that we use to describe ourselves the function of these labels is to
the function of these labels is to
the function of these labels is to project an identity outward with the
project an identity outward with the
project an identity outward with the goal of creating what rhetorical scholar
goal of creating what rhetorical scholar
goal of creating what rhetorical scholar Kenneth Burke called identification
Kenneth Burke called identification
Kenneth Burke called identification identification is the process by which
identification is the process by which
identification is the process by which you actually form a connection with
you actually form a connection with
you actually form a connection with another person you see yourself as
another person you see yourself as
another person you see yourself as somehow similar to them in some way
somehow similar to them in some way
somehow similar to them in some way these labels will typically reference
these labels will typically reference
these labels will typically reference our various social roles are dominant
our various social roles are dominant
our various social roles are dominant attitudes beliefs and values as well as
attitudes beliefs and values as well as
attitudes beliefs and values as well as how we spend most of our spare time so
how we spend most of our spare time so
how we spend most of our spare time so for example some labels that I
for example some labels that I
for example some labels that I used to describe myself our educator
used to describe myself our educator
used to describe myself our educator scholar cyclist empath daughter sister
scholar cyclist empath daughter sister
scholar cyclist empath daughter sister partner dog mom and smartass and anyone
partner dog mom and smartass and anyone
partner dog mom and smartass and anyone that knows me can vouch for the fact now
that knows me can vouch for the fact now
that knows me can vouch for the fact now anyone that has access to my social
anyone that has access to my social
anyone that has access to my social media platforms could probably construct
media platforms could probably construct
media platforms could probably construct a fairly well-rounded identity for me
a fairly well-rounded identity for me
a fairly well-rounded identity for me based on the things that I put out there
based on the things that I put out there
based on the things that I put out there for the world to see and would probably
for the world to see and would probably
for the world to see and would probably use labels similar to those that I just
use labels similar to those that I just
use labels similar to those that I just listed you listed for you to describe me
listed you listed for you to describe me
listed you listed for you to describe me to other people but what happens when a
to other people but what happens when a
to other people but what happens when a particular identity label functions to
particular identity label functions to
particular identity label functions to not create a connection with another
not create a connection with another
not create a connection with another person and to promote communication with
person and to promote communication with
person and to promote communication with other people but rather functions to
other people but rather functions to
other people but rather functions to stop it dead in its tracks and prevent
stop it dead in its tracks and prevent
stop it dead in its tracks and prevent us from connecting with others I’ll give
us from connecting with others I’ll give
us from connecting with others I’ll give you another example the state of Texas
you another example the state of Texas
you another example the state of Texas has labeled me a felon now the word
has labeled me a felon now the word
has labeled me a felon now the word felon technically means someone who at
felon technically means someone who at
felon technically means someone who at some point in their life has been
some point in their life has been
some point in their life has been convicted of a serious crime deemed a
convicted of a serious crime deemed a
convicted of a serious crime deemed a felony in the Penal Code and yes several
felony in the Penal Code and yes several
felony in the Penal Code and yes several years ago I was convicted of a serious
years ago I was convicted of a serious
years ago I was convicted of a serious crime I was sentenced to prison I went
crime I was sentenced to prison I went
crime I was sentenced to prison I went to prison I did my time and then I came
to prison I did my time and then I came
to prison I did my time and then I came home ready to move forward with my life
home ready to move forward with my life
home ready to move forward with my life and it was that moment that I realized
and it was that moment that I realized
and it was that moment that I realized the power that the label behind me has
the power that the label behind me has
the power that the label behind me has and the role that efficency played when
and the role that efficency played when
and the role that efficency played when people would judge me based purely on
people would judge me based purely on
people would judge me based purely on that identity label attached to my
that identity label attached to my
that identity label attached to my identity my my name because of well like
identity my my name because of well like
identity my my name because of well like many people coming home from prison I
many people coming home from prison I
many people coming home from prison I immediately went to look for a job and
immediately went to look for a job and
immediately went to look for a job and in that process one by one I was quickly
in that process one by one I was quickly
in that process one by one I was quickly turned away from every employer that I
turned away from every employer that I
turned away from every employer that I sought hiring from this was before I had
sought hiring from this was before I had
sought hiring from this was before I had the opportunity to give any information
the opportunity to give any information
the opportunity to give any information beyond my name my address and the fact
beyond my name my address and the fact
beyond my name my address and the fact that I had been convicted of a felony
that I had been convicted of a felony
that I had been convicted of a felony crime and so I didn’t have the
crime and so I didn’t have the
crime and so I didn’t have the opportunity to explain how I ended up
opportunity to explain how I ended up
opportunity to explain how I ended up being labeled that way or even offer any
being labeled that way or even offer any
being labeled that way or even offer any of the credentials that I brought with
of the credentials that I brought with
of the credentials that I brought with me to the position that I was applying
me to the position that I was applying
me to the position that I was applying for so in this circumstance the label
for so in this circumstance the label
for so in this circumstance the label felon acted as a trigger that stopped
felon acted as a trigger that stopped
felon acted as a trigger that stopped communication from progressing any
communication from progressing any
communication from progressing any further no employer wanted to take the
further no employer wanted to take the
further no employer wanted to take the time to hear my story or to see how Paul
time to hear my story or to see how Paul
time to hear my story or to see how Paul I may have been for those positions that
I may have been for those positions that
I may have been for those positions that I was applying for because of the label
I was applying for because of the label
I was applying for because of the label felon
felon
felon I’ve been called everything from a
I’ve been called everything from a
I’ve been called everything from a liability to and I quote the scum of the
liability to and I quote the scum of the
liability to and I quote the scum of the earth it has not only hindered my
earth it has not only hindered my
earth it has not only hindered my ability to get a job and an apartment
ability to get a job and an apartment
ability to get a job and an apartment but it has also created a sense of shame
but it has also created a sense of shame
but it has also created a sense of shame for myself and my family because when
for myself and my family because when
for myself and my family because when people hear the word felon and they
people hear the word felon and they
people hear the word felon and they associate that label with your identity
associate that label with your identity
associate that label with your identity they immediately think of the absolute
they immediately think of the absolute
they immediately think of the absolute worst that humanity can produce they
worst that humanity can produce they
worst that humanity can produce they think at times that I’m not even human
think at times that I’m not even human
think at times that I’m not even human the assumption is of course that anyone
the assumption is of course that anyone
the assumption is of course that anyone convicted of a felony crime or anyone
convicted of a felony crime or anyone
convicted of a felony crime or anyone capable of committing a felony crime
capable of committing a felony crime
capable of committing a felony crime must be inherently untrustworthy
must be inherently untrustworthy
must be inherently untrustworthy irredeemably unethical and generally
irredeemably unethical and generally
irredeemably unethical and generally little to no value to the betterment of
little to no value to the betterment of
little to no value to the betterment of society well it is certainly efficient
society well it is certainly efficient
society well it is certainly efficient to think that way and it’s certainly to
to think that way and it’s certainly to
to think that way and it’s certainly to think that way about a large population
think that way about a large population
think that way about a large population of people just like myself in this
of people just like myself in this
of people just like myself in this country unfortunately it’s simply not
country unfortunately it’s simply not
country unfortunately it’s simply not accurate nor is it an effective way of
accurate nor is it an effective way of
accurate nor is it an effective way of communicating since I came home from
communicating since I came home from
communicating since I came home from prison and thank you to my large support
prison and thank you to my large support
prison and thank you to my large support system some of whom are here today but
system some of whom are here today but
system some of whom are here today but as well as multiple layers of privilege
as well as multiple layers of privilege
as well as multiple layers of privilege I’ve been able to earn two college
I’ve been able to earn two college
I’ve been able to earn two college degrees and will complete my doctorate
degrees and will complete my doctorate
degrees and will complete my doctorate degree next year at the University of
degree next year at the University of
degree next year at the University of Texas
[Music]
[Music] thank you I’ve also been published in
thank you I’ve also been published in
thank you I’ve also been published in scholarly and creative outlets I have
scholarly and creative outlets I have
scholarly and creative outlets I have won a state Cycling Championship I have
won a state Cycling Championship I have
won a state Cycling Championship I have adopted three dogs I’ve fallen in love I
adopted three dogs I’ve fallen in love I
adopted three dogs I’ve fallen in love I have dedicated most of my free time
have dedicated most of my free time
have dedicated most of my free time which as a graduate student you won’t
which as a graduate student you won’t
which as a graduate student you won’t have much but most of my free time to
have much but most of my free time to
have much but most of my free time to volunteer organizations spending
volunteer organizations spending
volunteer organizations spending countless hours at countless
countless hours at countless
countless hours at countless organizations that I can start to list
organizations that I can start to list
organizations that I can start to list today and yet because of the felon label
today and yet because of the felon label
today and yet because of the felon label people fixate on the image behind me
people fixate on the image behind me
people fixate on the image behind me they don’t take the time to find out
they don’t take the time to find out
they don’t take the time to find out anything else about me or what I’ve been
anything else about me or what I’ve been
anything else about me or what I’ve been doing for the last eight years and in in
doing for the last eight years and in in
doing for the last eight years and in in doing that the felon label acts as a
doing that the felon label acts as a
doing that the felon label acts as a trigger it is often these people who are
trigger it is often these people who are
trigger it is often these people who are basing their judgments of me on the
basing their judgments of me on the
basing their judgments of me on the assumptions that many people make about
assumptions that many people make about
assumptions that many people make about people labeled a felon and that is
people labeled a felon and that is
people labeled a felon and that is largely based on the worst stereotypes
largely based on the worst stereotypes
largely based on the worst stereotypes that you could see represented either in
that you could see represented either in
that you could see represented either in the most high-profile crime stories
the most high-profile crime stories
the most high-profile crime stories really sensationalized news coverage or
really sensationalized news coverage or
really sensationalized news coverage or any one of the many entertainment
any one of the many entertainment
any one of the many entertainment sources that we have that claim to
sources that we have that claim to
sources that we have that claim to represent what the criminal justice
represent what the criminal justice
represent what the criminal justice system is like and what types of people
system is like and what types of people
system is like and what types of people belong there so let’s take a break from
belong there so let’s take a break from
belong there so let’s take a break from staring at this glamour shot behind me
staring at this glamour shot behind me
staring at this glamour shot behind me and start to think about some other
and start to think about some other
and start to think about some other identity labels that we encounter on a
identity labels that we encounter on a
identity labels that we encounter on a fairly regular basis that you may not
fairly regular basis that you may not
fairly regular basis that you may not have direct experience with the
have direct experience with the
have direct experience with the populations they’re associated with and
populations they’re associated with and
populations they’re associated with and think about what comes to mind when you
think about what comes to mind when you
think about what comes to mind when you hear things like someone is of the
hear things like someone is of the
hear things like someone is of the Muslim faith or when you say when you
Muslim faith or when you say when you
Muslim faith or when you say when you hear someone identify as queer or trans
hear someone identify as queer or trans
hear someone identify as queer or trans or perhaps even if someone says that
or perhaps even if someone says that
or perhaps even if someone says that they are a combat veteran what types of
they are a combat veteran what types of
they are a combat veteran what types of assumptions come to mind about the
assumptions come to mind about the
assumptions come to mind about the populations of people with whom you
populations of people with whom you
populations of people with whom you might have limited first-hand experience
might have limited first-hand experience
might have limited first-hand experience but yet you hear about and see regularly
but yet you hear about and see regularly
but yet you hear about and see regularly in the media and use those rhetorical
in the media and use those rhetorical
in the media and use those rhetorical tropes in political debates now when I
tropes in political debates now when I
tropes in political debates now when I tell my story I typically get a couple
tell my story I typically get a couple
tell my story I typically get a couple of responses the first is shock you
of responses the first is shock you
of responses the first is shock you prison no way what
prison no way what
prison no way what do and then the second is closely
do and then the second is closely
do and then the second is closely related it’s confusion oh wow that’s
related it’s confusion oh wow that’s
related it’s confusion oh wow that’s crazy like you don’t look like somebody
crazy like you don’t look like somebody
crazy like you don’t look like somebody who’d be in prison well I have to ask
who’d be in prison well I have to ask
who’d be in prison well I have to ask what am I supposed to look like and
what am I supposed to look like and
what am I supposed to look like and where do we get these assumptions about
where do we get these assumptions about
where do we get these assumptions about what a formerly incarcerated person is
what a formerly incarcerated person is
what a formerly incarcerated person is supposed to supposed to be and what
supposed to supposed to be and what
supposed to supposed to be and what they’re capable of and what color their
they’re capable of and what color their
they’re capable of and what color their skin is supposed to be and what their
skin is supposed to be and what their
skin is supposed to be and what their education level is supposed to supposed
education level is supposed to supposed
education level is supposed to supposed to have been these are the reasons that
to have been these are the reasons that
to have been these are the reasons that the meme that I’m about to explain to
the meme that I’m about to explain to
the meme that I’m about to explain to you also makes sense so everyone knows
you also makes sense so everyone knows
you also makes sense so everyone knows who snoop d-o-double-g is and Martha
who snoop d-o-double-g is and Martha
who snoop d-o-double-g is and Martha Stewart and I can’t show you the image
Stewart and I can’t show you the image
Stewart and I can’t show you the image that I’m gonna reference for copyright
that I’m gonna reference for copyright
that I’m gonna reference for copyright purposes but let’s do a little thought
purposes but let’s do a little thought
purposes but let’s do a little thought exercise imagine if you will an image of
exercise imagine if you will an image of
exercise imagine if you will an image of snoop and Martha cooking dinner in a
snoop and Martha cooking dinner in a
snoop and Martha cooking dinner in a kitchen together and if you aren’t aware
kitchen together and if you aren’t aware
kitchen together and if you aren’t aware they actually do have a cooking show
they actually do have a cooking show
they actually do have a cooking show together and it’s phenomenal they’re
together and it’s phenomenal they’re
together and it’s phenomenal they’re quite the pair but I was browsing memes
quite the pair but I was browsing memes
quite the pair but I was browsing memes on the internet like we all do because
on the internet like we all do because
on the internet like we all do because means her life and I came across an
means her life and I came across an
means her life and I came across an image of Martha and snoop cooking and a
image of Martha and snoop cooking and a
image of Martha and snoop cooking and a caption for the meme red a convicted
caption for the meme red a convicted
caption for the meme red a convicted felon cooks dinner with a famous
felon cooks dinner with a famous
felon cooks dinner with a famous celebrity hmm why does that make us
celebrity hmm why does that make us
celebrity hmm why does that make us laugh what is the assumption underlying
laugh what is the assumption underlying
laugh what is the assumption underlying what it means to be a convicted felon
what it means to be a convicted felon
what it means to be a convicted felon that makes the two of these people one
that makes the two of these people one
that makes the two of these people one having to be a felon and one having to
having to be a felon and one having to
having to be a felon and one having to be the celebrity funny to us well it’s
be the celebrity funny to us well it’s
be the celebrity funny to us well it’s the assumptions that we make about what
the assumptions that we make about what
the assumptions that we make about what it means to be labeled a black man and a
it means to be labeled a black man and a
it means to be labeled a black man and a white woman in this country and like
white woman in this country and like
white woman in this country and like black men and white women have very
black men and white women have very
black men and white women have very different experiences both in and
different experiences both in and
different experiences both in and outside of the prison system but it’s
outside of the prison system but it’s
outside of the prison system but it’s the expectation that we have for when we
the expectation that we have for when we
the expectation that we have for when we look at someone who looks like Snoop Dog
look at someone who looks like Snoop Dog
look at someone who looks like Snoop Dog and look at someone who is known for
and look at someone who is known for
and look at someone who is known for baking pies and making phenomenal
baking pies and making phenomenal
baking pies and making phenomenal centerpieces for Thanksgiving that leads
centerpieces for Thanksgiving that leads
centerpieces for Thanksgiving that leads need to ask you to start interrogating
need to ask you to start interrogating
need to ask you to start interrogating why we anticipate who the felon is here
why we anticipate who the felon is here
why we anticipate who the felon is here and why we laugh when we see things like
and why we laugh when we see things like
and why we laugh when we see things like and why orange is the new black is on
and why orange is the new black is on
and why orange is the new black is on season 100 or whatever it is at this
season 100 or whatever it is at this
season 100 or whatever it is at this point why is it entertaining for a white
point why is it entertaining for a white
point why is it entertaining for a white woman of a height or upper level class
woman of a height or upper level class
woman of a height or upper level class to go to prison and to be the fish out
to go to prison and to be the fish out
to go to prison and to be the fish out of water but yet we have no problem with
of water but yet we have no problem with
of water but yet we have no problem with incarcerated three out of five black men
incarcerated three out of five black men
incarcerated three out of five black men at some point in their lives so
at some point in their lives so
at some point in their lives so something to keep in mind we are not
something to keep in mind we are not
something to keep in mind we are not always in control of the biases that we
always in control of the biases that we
always in control of the biases that we carry with us and the assumptions that
carry with us and the assumptions that
carry with us and the assumptions that we make
we make
we make like I mentioned much of the information
like I mentioned much of the information
like I mentioned much of the information that we gather about people with whom we
that we gather about people with whom we
that we gather about people with whom we have limited experience comes from
have limited experience comes from
have limited experience comes from social constructions you probably aren’t
social constructions you probably aren’t
social constructions you probably aren’t going to meet every particular type of
going to meet every particular type of
going to meet every particular type of person with every particular identity
person with every particular identity
person with every particular identity label you know in your adult life and so
label you know in your adult life and so
label you know in your adult life and so we do the best that we can but sometimes
we do the best that we can but sometimes
we do the best that we can but sometimes we don’t do enough to try to counteract
we don’t do enough to try to counteract
we don’t do enough to try to counteract the effects of these repetitive
the effects of these repetitive
the effects of these repetitive stereotypes that we see in the media and
stereotypes that we see in the media and
stereotypes that we see in the media and the types of things that we hear
the types of things that we hear
the types of things that we hear repeated over and over and over again by
repeated over and over and over again by
repeated over and over and over again by political candidates and so when I think
political candidates and so when I think
political candidates and so when I think about what it means to be reduced to the
about what it means to be reduced to the
about what it means to be reduced to the label felon I think it doesn’t represent
label felon I think it doesn’t represent
label felon I think it doesn’t represent Who I am and I would largely argue that
Who I am and I would largely argue that
Who I am and I would largely argue that reducing anyone to a single label
reducing anyone to a single label
reducing anyone to a single label doesn’t represent who they are either
doesn’t represent who they are either
doesn’t represent who they are either labels are often temporary as well in my
labels are often temporary as well in my
labels are often temporary as well in my case in particular I have a difficult
case in particular I have a difficult
case in particular I have a difficult time with anyone labeling me something
time with anyone labeling me something
time with anyone labeling me something from almost a decade ago when I have
from almost a decade ago when I have
from almost a decade ago when I have done so much with my time since then we
done so much with my time since then we
done so much with my time since then we are evolving creatures the the phrase
are evolving creatures the the phrase
are evolving creatures the the phrase live and learn didn’t come from nowhere
live and learn didn’t come from nowhere
live and learn didn’t come from nowhere and so that’s something to always keep
and so that’s something to always keep
and so that’s something to always keep in mind when we use labels to
in mind when we use labels to
in mind when we use labels to efficiently sum up who we think somebody
efficiently sum up who we think somebody
efficiently sum up who we think somebody is or when we lean a little too heavily
is or when we lean a little too heavily
is or when we lean a little too heavily on those assumptions that we connect to
on those assumptions that we connect to
on those assumptions that we connect to those labels
those labels
those labels so before I offer a suggestion to our
so before I offer a suggestion to our
so before I offer a suggestion to our efficiency debacle
efficiency debacle
efficiency debacle I want to make a really quick disclaimer
I want to make a really quick disclaimer
I want to make a really quick disclaimer this talk is not an attempt to force
this talk is not an attempt to force
this talk is not an attempt to force anyone here to think or speak in a way
anyone here to think or speak in a way
anyone here to think or speak in a way that you do not want to
that you do not want to
that you do not want to I am NOT the thought police I’m not the
I am NOT the thought police I’m not the
I am NOT the thought police I’m not the language police and I know that people
language police and I know that people
language police and I know that people have a hard time with what they perceive
have a hard time with what they perceive
have a hard time with what they perceive as politically correct language the
as politically correct language the
as politically correct language the point is however that sometimes we allow
point is however that sometimes we allow
point is however that sometimes we allow language to get in our way of actually
language to get in our way of actually
language to get in our way of actually communicating I know that sounds funny
communicating I know that sounds funny
communicating I know that sounds funny right and sometimes we also allow labels
right and sometimes we also allow labels
right and sometimes we also allow labels to hinder us from connecting with other
to hinder us from connecting with other
to hinder us from connecting with other members of our community who we might
members of our community who we might
members of our community who we might not typically the current state of where
not typically the current state of where
not typically the current state of where we are in this country is largely based
we are in this country is largely based
we are in this country is largely based on division and division comes when we
on division and division comes when we
on division and division comes when we equate difference with not being
equate difference with not being
equate difference with not being compatible in a community and so if you
compatible in a community and so if you
compatible in a community and so if you are interested in working with other
are interested in working with other
are interested in working with other members of your community who you might
members of your community who you might
members of your community who you might not typically be motivated to for
not typically be motivated to for
not typically be motivated to for whatever reason or just simply expanding
whatever reason or just simply expanding
whatever reason or just simply expanding beyond your rather homogeneous
beyond your rather homogeneous
beyond your rather homogeneous Friendship bubble that you may already
Friendship bubble that you may already
Friendship bubble that you may already have I have a few ideas for what you can
have I have a few ideas for what you can
have I have a few ideas for what you can do so first and foremost check your
do so first and foremost check your
do so first and foremost check your biases and check your priveledge now a
biases and check your priveledge now a
biases and check your priveledge now a lot of people get up in arms over the
lot of people get up in arms over the
lot of people get up in arms over the phrase privilege but everyone has some
phrase privilege but everyone has some
phrase privilege but everyone has some degree of this the fact that you’re all
degree of this the fact that you’re all
degree of this the fact that you’re all sitting in this audience today is a
sitting in this audience today is a
sitting in this audience today is a degree of privilege and so there’s
degree of privilege and so there’s
degree of privilege and so there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging it and
nothing wrong with acknowledging it and
nothing wrong with acknowledging it and realizing that once you acknowledge your
realizing that once you acknowledge your
realizing that once you acknowledge your own privileges then you are better
own privileges then you are better
own privileges then you are better equipped to be empathetic towards people
equipped to be empathetic towards people
equipped to be empathetic towards people less privileged than yourself secondly
less privileged than yourself secondly
less privileged than yourself secondly check out what your biases are these are
check out what your biases are these are
check out what your biases are these are things that are not always readily
things that are not always readily
things that are not always readily available to you at your conscious level
available to you at your conscious level
available to you at your conscious level and so Harvard actually has what they
and so Harvard actually has what they
and so Harvard actually has what they call the implicit bias project and
call the implicit bias project and
call the implicit bias project and there’s an exam that you can go to the
there’s an exam that you can go to the
there’s an exam that you can go to the Harvard edu website and it actually
Harvard edu website and it actually
Harvard edu website and it actually tests you for implicit social cognition
tests you for implicit social cognition
tests you for implicit social cognition which means these unconscious things
which means these unconscious things
which means these unconscious things that tend to guide us in treating people
that tend to guide us in treating people
that tend to guide us in treating people differently use the results from that
differently use the results from that
differently use the results from that when you are practicing reflexivity
when you are practicing reflexivity
when you are practicing reflexivity reflexivity is actively challenging your
reflexivity is actively challenging your
reflexivity is actively challenging your judgments as you make them this is
judgments as you make them this is
judgments as you make them this is something that unless you get into the
something that unless you get into the
something that unless you get into the practice of doing it regularly it’s
practice of doing it regularly it’s
practice of doing it regularly it’s really difficult to do 90% of the time
really difficult to do 90% of the time
really difficult to do 90% of the time we’re on autopilot these
we’re on autopilot these
we’re on autopilot these folks and so to try to challenge every
folks and so to try to challenge every
folks and so to try to challenge every judgment that you make as you make them
judgment that you make as you make them
judgment that you make as you make them it takes a great deal of effort but
it takes a great deal of effort but
it takes a great deal of effort but without effort we don’t see improvement
without effort we don’t see improvement
without effort we don’t see improvement so always remember to check your
so always remember to check your
so always remember to check your judgments third seek identification
judgments third seek identification
judgments third seek identification this means locating people in your
this means locating people in your
this means locating people in your community to connect with who you
community to connect with who you
community to connect with who you wouldn’t normally this is not about
wouldn’t normally this is not about
wouldn’t normally this is not about tokenism this is about appreciating the
tokenism this is about appreciating the
tokenism this is about appreciating the value in people being different from
value in people being different from
value in people being different from yourself so read a memoir written by
yourself so read a memoir written by
yourself so read a memoir written by someone who is of a different gender
someone who is of a different gender
someone who is of a different gender identity or a different ethnic
identity or a different ethnic
identity or a different ethnic background go volunteer and a part of
background go volunteer and a part of
background go volunteer and a part of your community that you haven’t yet or
your community that you haven’t yet or
your community that you haven’t yet or you wouldn’t normally use these
you wouldn’t normally use these
you wouldn’t normally use these opportunities to form connections and
opportunities to form connections and
opportunities to form connections and bridges with people where otherwise you
bridges with people where otherwise you
bridges with people where otherwise you would perceive difference and remember
would perceive difference and remember
would perceive difference and remember that at the end of the day difference
that at the end of the day difference
that at the end of the day difference need not equate division difference is
need not equate division difference is
need not equate division difference is super valuable and it enriches our
super valuable and it enriches our
super valuable and it enriches our communities and sometimes it’s just a
communities and sometimes it’s just a
communities and sometimes it’s just a little bit too easy to write people off
little bit too easy to write people off
little bit too easy to write people off who are different rather than to seek
who are different rather than to seek
who are different rather than to seek identification with them I know that if
identification with them I know that if
identification with them I know that if everyone over the last eight years of my
everyone over the last eight years of my
everyone over the last eight years of my life treated me as efficiently as job in
life treated me as efficiently as job in
life treated me as efficiently as job in apartment applications I would probably
apartment applications I would probably
apartment applications I would probably have a considerably different circle of
have a considerably different circle of
have a considerably different circle of friends and I may not have the fortune
friends and I may not have the fortune
friends and I may not have the fortune of finishing my graduate career next
of finishing my graduate career next
of finishing my graduate career next year and prior to my experience with
year and prior to my experience with
year and prior to my experience with being labeled a felon and with being
being labeled a felon and with being
being labeled a felon and with being ostracized by a lot of members of my
ostracized by a lot of members of my
ostracized by a lot of members of my community I didn’t pay much attention to
community I didn’t pay much attention to
community I didn’t pay much attention to the experiences of people that I
the experiences of people that I
the experiences of people that I perceived as different or the people who
perceived as different or the people who
perceived as different or the people who are less privileged than myself and so
are less privileged than myself and so
are less privileged than myself and so that’s why I’m grateful to be standing
that’s why I’m grateful to be standing
that’s why I’m grateful to be standing on this red dot today and to share my
on this red dot today and to share my
on this red dot today and to share my idea that I think is worth sharing what
idea that I think is worth sharing what
idea that I think is worth sharing what can happen when we look beyond labels
can happen when we look beyond labels
can happen when we look beyond labels and seek identification with people who
and seek identification with people who
and seek identification with people who we typically wouldn’t and so in closing
we typically wouldn’t and so in closing
we typically wouldn’t and so in closing allow me to introduce myself again my
allow me to introduce myself again my
allow me to introduce myself again my name is Susie Bannon it is an honor to
name is Susie Bannon it is an honor to
name is Susie Bannon it is an honor to be here and I might be labeled a felon
be here and I might be labeled a felon
be here and I might be labeled a felon but I am a hell of a lot more than that
but I am a hell of a lot more than that
but I am a hell of a lot more than that thank you
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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