The Dynamics of Difference

COMPETENCY AND SENSITIVITY AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE

PROFESSIONAL

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Session Ground Rules

Understand that we are all experts in our own experiences.Respect others experiences, values and opinions.Be non-judgmental.Say OUCH and then Educate.Take RisksHave a Little FunExpect unfinished business

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Learning ……

“You suddenly understand something you have understood all your life, but in a whole new way. That is what learning is.”

Doris Lessing – Persian Author

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What is Diversity?Ethnic Group, Race, ColorCountry of Origin or NationalityGender

ReligionAge

Mental/Physical AbilitySexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Transgender Family/Marital Status

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What Else Is Diversity?

•Level of Education

•Experience

•Socio Economic Status

•Size

•Politics

•Geography

•Address

•Language

•Acculturation CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

DiversityMany people see diversity as a lightning rod for conflict.

Our goal is to enhance the communication and collaboration skills of all team members who come to the workplace with a diversity of perspectives and world views.

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How we interact with others…..

Is determined in large part by how we see the world, how we see ourselves, and how we see others who are different from ourselves….

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Demographic Data - 2010

State of Florida

White 57%

Black 16.6%

Hispanic 23.2%

Asian 2.7%

2 or more races 1.9%

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Demographic Data - 2010

State of Florida

Male 48.9%

Female 51.1%

Foreign Born 19.3%

Language other 27.3%

Than English at

home

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Law Enforcement & The Community

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In The News

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What is Culture

A community’s shared set of norms, practices, beliefs, values, traditions, customs, and means of expression….among other things

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Culture Determines…..

…….How we communicate, analyze, judge and interpret information

It also determines our behavior, responses and reactions

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Culture frames our view of the world…..It is divided in Surface Culture and Deep Culture

SURFACE CULTUREFoodAttire/Appearance HolidaysArtsHeroesFolklore/Superstitions

DEEP CULTURECeremonies & RitesCourtship & MarriageHealth & MedicineFamily TiesBody LanguageReligion – Values – BeliefsGender Roles

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Cultural Competency definedAn individual or organization with the appropriate awareness, attitudes, behaviors, and skills to interact effectively with members of diverse populations.

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Cultural Competency

Is the ability to function

effectively within the existence of cultural differences.

Requires a willingness to be open to the expectations and realities of various cultures.

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Five Elements of Cultural Competency

Awareness of your own cultureUnderstanding the dynamics of differenceAwareness and acceptance of differenceDevelopment of cultural knowledge

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Culture impacts…

LearningProblem-solvingVerbal and nonverbal communicationDisplays of emotionDealing with conflict

Culture impacts…Culture impacts…

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The Impact of Personal Culture on Communications

The Power of WordsLanguage and Communication style issues Non Verbal Communication Biases against the Unfamiliar Personal Values in Conflict Assumption the Everybody Knows the “Rules”

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This dimension of culture can be seen as an iceberg with the tip sticking above the water level of conscious awareness.

By far, the most significant part, however, is unconscious or below the water level of awareness and includes values and thought patterns.”

(Hall 1976)

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Implicit Bias…….

Is a preference (positive or negative) for a group based on a stereotype or attitudes we hold and that tends to develop early in life. Implicit bias operates outside of human awareness and can be understood as a lens through which a person views the world and that automatically filters how a person takes in and acts in regard to information.

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Implicit bias operates at each and every decision point as a person enters, moves through, and exits the criminal justice system. For example, implicit bias can impact actions resulting from an observation of an act that is ultimately interpreted as shoplifting: a decision of whether to call parents or police, a decision to charge or arrest, a decision about detention or diversion, and other decisions all the way through adjudication and sentencing.

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Implicit biases can be changed

Motivation to be FairEnvironmentExposure to Counter-Typical ExamplesProcedural Changes

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How they see you The Uniform….

…….The Badge

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Career CulturePolice OfficersCorrectionsProbationsLawyers – Prosecutors/DefenseJudgesWitnessesJurors

Add to this the victims and defendants…..

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Cultural BumpsAs a result of personal interaction, you can be left:

ConfusedFrustratedAngryMisunderstoodHelplessHopeless

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Culturally CompetentInteraction Skills•Personal Awareness of your own culture and values

•Respect for other’s culture and values

•Awareness of ways in which personal bias (implicit or explicit) may effect interactions

•Understanding the dynamics of difference

•Awareness and acceptance of differences

•Flexibility and ability to adapt to differences

•Development of cultural knowledge

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Institutional Barriers

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Cultural Competency“To be culturally competent doesn’t mean you are an authority in the values and the beliefs of every culture.

What it means is that you hold a deep respect for cultural differences and are eager to learn, and willing to accept that there are many ways of viewing the world.”

Okokon O. Uda

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Assumptions

“At least half of the exercise I get everyday comes from jumping to conclusions.”

Bruce Dexter

Journalist

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Key Learning The more accurate information we have about others, the more likely we will be able to respond with respect and understanding

The more familiar we are, the more comfortable we become. And with comfort and time, comes trust resulting in effective communications

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Our challenge…Transformation of Self – examine attitudes and behaviors that are rooted in culture; consciously work on developing intercultural competence-- including awareness of and knowledge about specific cultures and exceptionalities; and understand there are many ways of viewing

the world!

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Thank You For Your Participation !!!

Barbara I. Cheives

Converge & Associates Consulting

1977 Brandywine Rd. Suite 203

West Palm Beach, FL 33409

barbara@convergeandassociates.com

(office) 561-689-2428

(cellular) 561-351-6864

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