4: Diversity and difference: Part 1

Welcome to Introduction to Sociology 2e, an OpenStax resource created with several goals in mind: accessibility, affordability, customization, and student engagement—all while encouraging learners toward high levels of learning. Instructors and students alike will find that this textbook offers a strong foundation in sociology. It is available for free online and in low-cost print and e-book editions.

Dr. Robin DiAngelo is the author of "What Does it Mean to Be White? Developing White Racial Literacy" and has been an anti-racist educator, and has heard justifications of racism by white men and women in her workshops for over two decades. This justification, which she calls “white fragility,” is a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves include outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation.

Dr Robert Wood from the University of New South Wales on RNZ talking about what unconscious bias actually is, and shares some tips for how people and workplaces can get past it.

“I, Too, Am Auckland” is a student-based initiative at The University of Auckland. This video explores experiences and perspective provided by Māori and Pasifika students across a variety of academic disciplines, discussing their experiences with everyday colonialism and racism.

In her talk, Heather discusses empowering disability identity and reframing disability as a social construct. She explores, through personal stories, how discussing disability and practicing 'uncovering' can lead to a new societal understanding of disability