Stand Up

    

    In Paula Stone’s Ted Talk "I've lived as a man and a woman. Here's what I learned", she speaks of her differentiating experiences living as a female and male in present-day society. When listening to the privilege she received when she identified as a male versus the lack of when identifying as a woman, I was not surprised. Just look at the gender gap pay in the United States. A woman will earn 82 cents for every $1 a man makes for doing that same job. While America preaches racial and gender equality, we must face reality to progress as a society. All people are not treated equally, and it is each individual’s responsibility to comprehend this and try to do the most we can to better the country we live in. 

    When I read that 100% of Siena transgender students expressed that they had personally experienced bias/harassment/discrimination at our college, I was saddened but not shocked. To become a more inclusive whole, we must educate our student body. A short, mandatory training before each semester would remind students of how to treat one another and behave in situations where others aren’t being treated with respect.

    

    As unfortunate as it is, there are still people in America today who display prejudice against varying groups of people. While we cannot alter each person’s perspective, forcing them to accept and respect all people equally, we can hold each person responsible for their actions. To force change within our campus, we can be upstanders to poor treatment and assure we are treating others with respect. If you see someone on campus experiencing bias, harassment, or discrimination in any way, you should not let it continue. While this is often easier said than done, there are varying ways in which you can do so. Some ways put you into a less confrontational position towards the aggressor than others. When doing so, it is important to assure your safety. This can be done following what is known as the “3 D’s” 

1. Direct: Give commands or orders.
2. Distract: Draw away or divert attention.
3. Delegate: Appoint someone else.

A video to further explain these methods can be found at https://www.safebarnetwork.org/post/3-active-bystander-skills.

This method can be used for any sort of harassment, whether it's sexual, gender, or racial based. It is our responsibility to form an inclusive community in which all students feel accepted and can thrive.