Dr. Maura J. Cullen

It has become increasingly clear that white women are becoming the mouthpiece for the conservative movement. Sarah Palin is their greatest cheerleader and fundraiser as she jets around the country raising money for organizations and candidates who have demonstrated racist values and beliefs.

The games we played as children taught us many simple, basic lessons of how to play with others, build relationships and navigate the rules of childhood. Simon Says will take you back to visit the core lessons of one of your favorite childhood games and how we are still playing those games even as adults.

Conversations about issues of diversity can be anxiety producing for many of us. Have you ever found yourself unsure of what to say, or what word to use, so said nothing at all? Are there times when what you meant to say didn’t come out exactly as you had hoped? If you are like most, your response is probably a resounding “Yes!” People often make statements they intend to be supportive or complimentary, but end up being problematic.

Having conversations with people who have accents, especially in a customer service environment, can be frustrating. This article offers six helpful guidelines to keep in mind when speaking with people whose accent is different from your own.

Growing up, we are taught that it is not polite to stare at someone with a disability. However, we are so paranoid that we will mess up and stare that we don't dare even look at the person. As a result, our well intended politeness inadvertently renders people with disabilities invisible. It is a tale of two extremes. Either people with disabilities are stared at or we don't look at them at all.

We have all grown up hearing the slogan, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me!" If only that statement were true. Size discrimination is one of the last vestiges of acceptable prejudice and the discrimination goes far beyond the demeaning jokes and stares. In fact, size discrimination is so pervasive that it contributes to negative emotional, social, economic, and physical health issues.

Claims of reverse discrimination have been around for a while; however, recent events have brought it back into the forefront. The Supreme Court’s decision regarding the New Haven, CT white firefighters reverse discrimination case, the election of President Obama and the nomination of Sonia Sotomayo, the first Latina to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, some are claiming white men are being discriminated against despite the fact that seven of the nine justices are white men.

This country was founded on the premise of protecting the minority view, of allowing all voices to be heard and to provide equal rights for ALL Americans. Democracy has never been a majority rules proposition and nor should it be. Many fled to this country to escape religious persecution. Now, many of those very people’s ancestors are the same people persecuting gay Americans today.

In our day to day lives, situations arise when we are confronted with bias comments and racism. Knowing how to respond will help you confront the situation.