Medina Diversity Project program explores the impact of words - cleveland.com

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MEDINA, Ohio – Words – and their connotations – matter.

That was the takeaway from a virtual program titled “Introduction to Coded Language” presented by the Medina County District Library and the Medina Diversity Project on Nov. 17.

Library Events Coordinator Aimee Adams welcomed the Zoom participants and introduced Pam Miller, who gave a brief history of the Diversity Project, whose mission is to embrace and promote diversity in Medina County.

Adams then introduced program facilitators Caitlin Hawkins and Kaila Johnson of the Diversity Center of North East Ohio. Hawkins stated four goals of the program:

· Speak from the participants’ own experiences

· Examine their discomfort

· Challenge themselves

· Acknowledge that this conversation was a starting point

She then defined “diversity” as “difference,” and said we all have social identities -- how we see the world and how the world sees us are not the same for everyone. Our own particular culture consists of shared perceiving, thinking, feeling and behaving -- and is different from the culture of others.

Language is a component and reinforcer of culture; it changes over time and has different meanings for different people. Language is coded with meanings, attitudes and beliefs.

Adams’ first example was the word “bossy.” The word has a negative connotation and is generally directed at women. Other words, such as “sketchy” or “sassy” and “uppity” have negative and racist undertones.

The facilitators played a short film clip from the NBA draft program, during which a commentator described two prospective draft hopefuls -- one white and one African American. The program participants were asked to write down the words used by the commentator to describe the players’ abilities.

In the column describing the African American player, the word “beast” was cited repeatedly. Other terms were “lazy” and “overweight.” The commentator questioned whether the player would become seriously overweight after he signed a big-money contract.

In the column describing the white player, phrases such as “he outworks you,” skilled, energetic, enthusiastic and lack of athleticism were cited.

Johnson, one of the program leaders, suggested that the clip showed racism, with the Black player being described as animalistic, and the white player more intelligent and harder working.

The participants discussed the words and generally agreed.

Part of the program dealt with the terms “Intent” vs. “Impact.” Often, our motive or aim does not lead to the result we wish; in other words, having good intentions does not erase, heal or automatically fix the negative impact of our words.

Miscommunication occurs when the intention doesn’t match the result.

The program leaders asked the guests to question their own intentions and to try to identify their biases.

Read more from the Medina Sun.

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