- Cori Wong makes a really important stance in the ongoing organizational culture reform; Equality is not going to fix all our issues. For thousands of years, the oppressed minority groups of our population have received inequality and profiling nonexclusive to organizational culture. To combat this, on a moral viewpoint, equality will not make everyone satisfied, or make everything fair. There are several good quotes from Wong’s article that precisely tell the reader why this is true, and what really needs to be done. In pages 2 and 3 of the article, equity is contrasted with equality, and it helps solidify the argument that the answer isn’t a flat, fair playing field, but rather one that adapts to people’s needs. Especially when there is prejudice and hate involved. Racial and gender bias is a huge epidemic in our lives and social culture, for organizations to say “to make things look better we will finally give you what you deserve” is not helping the minority groups, it is pushing the problem under the rug. In order to have an effective change in the treatment of these subgroups, we must listen to their needs and address and understand them as if they were our own. These groups have a completely different perspective on life and issues because the majority population continually told them they are different, wrong, and unwanted. It is the organization’s job to reverse those preconceptions that we place on them, and that doesn’t mean to just stop putting them in the disadvantaged position. Rather, we need to help them get into the advantaged seat.
- Throughout Wong’s article, there are dozens of examples of smooth connections using transition words and phrases. Organizational culture is a complex topic, and addressing its issues creates many subtopics within itself. Wongs ability to move from one topic to another in a coherent and smooth manner helps the reader comprehend it better. “Our differences are inherent to our experience as human beings,”(Wong, page 3) this sentence may be considered a filler sentence, but it actually does more than that. It is the first sentence in the concluding paragraph of a section, but it refers back to the previous section involving the metaphor using a group of runners as an example of how equality is not the answer to inequality. Wong starts the conclusion of one section with a connection to the previous section, thus connecting the sections as a whole and how their main ideas are based on the same mindset.
Research is a creative endeavor
As you’re continuing with your research, I encourage you to remember this: research is a creative process.
Here’s why that matters:
- whatever your topic, whatever your motivation, when you research you are making something new–a new set of ideas, new questions, a new collection of perspectives
- because research is a creative endeavor, there isn’t a single *right* way to do it–you’re not assembling an Ikea bookshelf; you’re creating something brand new that hasn’t been before and that is unlike anyone else’s project (and it’s totally fine to have leftover parts 😉 )
- when you’re entering new, uncharted territory, it’s helpful to have models and maps–tutorials for different search tools (such as the SU Libraries how-to pages) offer a lot of value, in addition to the notetaking and analytical reading work we’ve been doing in class
- you can have fun with this work–you’re charting your own course to a large extent, and you can be inventive with your choice of sources (inputs) and products (outputs)
The note-taking work that you’ve been doing this past week is part of this generative process. As you read, think critically, and respond to your sources’ ideas in your notes, you are beginning to shape your own perspective on the subject at hand, and ultimately your own contribution to the larger body of thought on this subject. That’s why I’m asking you to spend some real time on taking notes. Note-taking is where your creative thought-work begins.
A few suggestions to keep in mind:
- use tools for what they’re good for: the SU Libraries website is good for finding specialized material by scholars and other experts. It will also give you full-text access to newspapers from all over the world. When you’re looking for that stuff, go there. Primary sources sometimes pop up there, but are more likely to be found on the open web, where anyone can publish. When you’re looking for that stuff, it makes sense to start with Google.
- keep in mind that sources come in many forms–not just articles and books, but radio features, podcasts, images, documentaries and other videos, interviews/Q&As, etc. You’re not limited to traditional kinds of texts.
- jump straight to Advanced Search–filter your results more on the front end, and you’ll have fewer to sift through. Consider adding multiple search terms and placing limits on date, type of publication, language, etc. Note that when adding search terms in Advanced Search, you have a dropdown menu that defaults to “All Fields” (term appears anywhere in the text). You can also select “abstract” (term is significant enough to appear in the summary of the text). See the image below:
- use sources to leapfrog–check out authors’ bibliographies for ideas, pay attention to the Subject headings or Keywords in the citation entry of a database search. Check out the image below–in your list of search results, hover over the Preview+ option to pull up the full citation, and then check out the Subjects listed–these are the terms this database uses to catalog related material. You can incorporate these as search terms, and it’s kind of like browsing the physical shelf in the library for other similar materials.
Discussion week of 6/22 (Dan)
- So far I have been using the Syracuse library as my main database for finding sources. Although it took a little bit of digging, I was able to find an article that I thoroughly enjoyed in unit 1. I seem to be struggling a little more with unit 2. I have found many scholarly articles on linguistic diversity in the workplace through the SU library (though some are quite lengthy). I am mainly struggling with finding a primary source. The advanced search option has many filters which has helped me obtain some options. Though I have not yet decided which article I would like to focus my attention on. I will spend some time looking for other sources ( especially a primary source) with resources such as Google and Bing.
- My topic that I am choosing to research is unconscious bias of multilingual individuals in the workplace. I was intrigued by the work of one of my classmates on this topic. I believe this was in no small part due to my friendship with multiple immigrants in my department at my job. I am really hoping to find a primary source that is written by someone who has immigrated to the United States and experienced the struggles of being a nonnative speaker. I believe this will be a very valuable source of information to include in my research as they will have first hand experience with these issues. I would like to hear about how they were treated and if they felt valued at work. I would also like to hear about if they were compensated fairly and given the same opportunity to prove themselves as natives of our country have been given. Though I am struggling to find a source that does this. I am going to continue searching the web until I find a primary source that is satisfactory.
Discussion Week 6/22
- I think one of the most helpful search tools I used was the category feature on most search engines and in the Syracuse Library database system. It was much easier to search for “inclusion organizational culture” and then narrow down the search further by specifying that I waned articles about inclusion from a business perspective, since our area of focus is diversity in the workplace. There were a few roadblocks I hit, one of the first being how broad the term “inclusive” is. It is used to refer to any situation that can include and encompass a wider variety, whether it be in terms of people in a group or items in a bag. I think finding ways around this roadblock were of use, but even so, the term inclusive is used so often to describe so many situations in our world today that remain “exclusive”. Another roadblock I ran into was when choosing the articles, finding ones that were substantial and related to our research on inclusion and in organizational culture. There were plenty of articles that just spit out statistics of companies being successful with a more diverse workforce, which is great and statistics are a way to analyze the success and failure of some approaches leading towards more inclusion. What was troublesome was articles having both the statistical research and the connections back to those being discriminated or excluded. It is one thing to hear the numbers and see the results and data, it is another to humanize these numbers and put more emphasis on the toll this takes on being a human ostracized for something they feel is the most representative of their identity.
- I hope to find texts coming from those who have felt “excluded”, especially in the work place. As stated before, numbers can only show and help us to learn how to be more inclusive, but it is from the retelling and words of those who have been discriminated that will help those who feel as though this is an unnecessary action to sympathize and possibly change their own opinion. I would love to find a written account of someone perspective on inclusion within the workplace from a before, during, and after perspective. I want to use voices of those who are part of the discriminated sum of employers, the people that face their fears every day to do something so normal and just so organic. To work, to socialize, to do anything within society should be reconsidered just because of the way someone identifies. I think that it was most definitely be easier to find the primary source article, I think that scholarly articles are a bit heavy on the data and research side of the issue which is the side I hope to not highlight as much.
Discussion posts for Week of 6/29
We’re going to take it a little easier this week on discussion–please respond to both of the questions below by Wednesday, 7/1; you do not need to reply to your classmates’ posts, though I certainly encourage you to read through what others have to say.
In “Changing organizational culture,” we see a rather different type of writing, one that’s pretty approachable and readable, but still presenting intensive research in a way that’s geared toward a very specific audience. What we’re looking at here is a trade/professional journal. Like scholarly journals, they often include peer-reviewed articles, but they’re designed for practitioners (in this case, in the workplace safety industry) rather than for other academics. The end result is detailed research that’s usable for people working in this field.
In part we’re looking at this article as a sample of a genre that might be useful for you to consider for your own inquiry. SUMMON (the SU Libraries’ search tool) allows you to select “trade publication” as a Content Type option in an Advanced Search. It can be really helpful to see what folks within a given field are talking about, how they’re making use of current research, developing best practices, implementing ideas, etc. The material there tends to be very current material from experts–good stuff to use when you’re trying to understand the implications of a particular issue.
And we can also learn some lessons from this text about how to develop an argument that will reach our readers. Wong does a solid job of making explicit connections between theory and practice as she translates this material for a non-academic audience. Let’s home in on how she makes this work.
Please respond to both of the questions below for this week’s discussion.
- Wong is entering a conversation around diversity (including the business case and the ethical case folks have made for diversity) and inclusion that was going on long before she showed up. What does she have to add to this discussion? Focus in on 1 particular contribution you see her making to this larger conversation. Name it, explain it, tell us where to find it, and talk about what you think is significant about it.
- Review chapter 8 of TSIS, which is about connecting the parts. Locate a place in Wong’s article where you see her doing this important work, and identify the TSIS moves that you see her using in this segment. Again, point us to a specific passage, and talk us through what she’s doing there and why it matters.
Categorize your posts as “Discussions/Homework,” and tag with “unit 2,” “week of 6/29,” and [your name].
Overview of Week of 6/29
As we approach the July 4th midpoint of the course, it’s a good time to take stock of where you’re at–any missing assignments you need to catch up on, any discussion posts or replies you didn’t complete, how your research work is coming along. If you have any questions, please reach out to me by email–we can chat that way or set up a time to talk by phone/Zoom to make sure you’re clear on where you stand.
This week, you’ll be continuing your work toward the research portfolio, locating, reading, and taking notes on sources. Read on for an overview of this week’s work.
Reading
- “Changing organizational culture: from embedded bias to equity and inclusion” by Cori Wong
- Chapters 8 and 9 of They Say/I Say (“As a result” and “You mean I can just say it that way?”)–note that chapter 9’s title was incorrect on the schedule of assignments. Sorry about that.
- possible sources for your research portfolio as you locate them
Writing/discussion
- Preliminary notes exercise (submit through Bb dropbox by Wednesday, 7/1)–the goal here is to catalog the sources you’re finding and begin sketching out the different perspectives they have to offer
- Research plan–review page 3 of the unit 2 assignment sheet (submit on blog by Sunday, 7/5)
- Discussion work on blog (see link below for prompts)
Discussion Week of 6/22
- When looking for articles that I feel are clearly written, provide detailed background to the authors and are easily accessible to college students I always use Syracuse Libraries. When I use the site I tend to type in the idea I’m looking for and then refine the search for a journal article. When I use Syracuse libraries I feel it really helps me search for articles that relate to college students and ones that have qualified authors. When I’m looking for an article it takes me a bit of searching because sometimes they are written too many years ago and don’t convey the same message. However I find it helpful to refine the search and look for articles written in the past 2 or 3 years so the content aligns with current events in the world.
- In the past few assignments we have been analyzing differs communities and environments and the way they are able to make each space inclusive to everyone. In order to add to our portfolios we have done research on articles that not only note the problems that occur day to day but the changes that need to be made. However, in order to truly understand why we need more inclusivity and diversity we must hear first hand from the ones who feel aliened. In order to learn more about bias and discrimination we must read a primary first hand account from someone who experienced it. For this assignment I wish to write about the action required when discrimination occurs and what the thoughts and emotions of the individual experiencing it. I wish to focus on college minorities because their experiences may not be so different from those of our own. I will use Syracuse libraries because not only is it presented by our own college but it recounts the stories and experiences of those in our own situations.
Week of 6/22 Discussion
About a year ago, the owner of two local bars made some racially insensitive comments on Twitter. As a result, I made the decision not to frequent his establishments anymore. The first of these, Ryleigh’s, was home to the Baltimore chapter of the US Tottenham supporters club, and as a self respecting Arsenal supporter, there was no way I was ever stepping foot in there. His second bar, Crossbar, is a German beerhall-style spot, serving huge liters of beer. Once the owner outed himself as a racist, downing liters at Crossbar was longer an option. That’s why it stopped me in my tracks this past weekend when a friend suggested we go there once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. It surprised me because this friend and I share many similar values and come down on the same side of many political debates. I got to thinking about whether my stance was actually hurting the owner, or myself.
With all of this in mind, for this exercise I wanted to find some writings about “cancel culture”. With the recent controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s comments about transpeople on Twitter, I took to Google to look for news articles offering perspectives. I experimented with the search terms, and typed in the following: “Should I still read harry potter jk rowling twitter“.
The first three results of my search were from The Guardian, the New York Times, and a link to Rowling’s Twitter feed itself. I read the Guardian and Times articles, ultimately settling on the one from the Times for my notes-taking exercise. Because I wanted to use a recent, news-worthy topic, I knew that Google would be the best tool for this particular job. However, I expect I’ll be using tools such as JSTOR to help me find a scholarly journal or article which will help me gain a historical perspective.
Rowling is clearly not the first person to be threatened with “cancellation”, and “cancel culture” is just the latest term for what is sometimes referred to as “consumer activism”. What I’m hoping to find are well-researched articles and papers – perhaps even a book or two – that focus on the effectiveness of consumer activism. How often have boycotts worked? Can they go too far?
I’d also like to find something that looks into whether it’s truly possible to separate the artist from the art. Should we all really stop listening to Michael Jackson? Should we not read Mark Twain? Should we stop watching films produced by Harvey Weinstein? What might be easy for some will not be as easy for others. I’m finding these questions intellectually stimulating, and am looking forward to getting some help in an attempt to answer them for myself.
discussion prompts 6/22
- I mainly have been using the Syracuse Summons page as it is easy for me to navigate. I have yet to dive into the advanced features thoroughly, however I used it for my first note taking practice and it provided me with what I needed. I was able to search more keywords to find exactly what I wanted, as well as narrowing it by using the peer reviewed articles feature. Some roadblocks I am running into is how to find the primary source on Syracuse summons. If I were to use another search engine for my research, I am unsure of where to look. Another roadblock I am encountering is how to find an article from a workplace or about an institution that provides services. I have recently found an article that details what certain workplaces are doing, but it mainly focuses on the experiences of those with disabilities. I am hoping to find an article that surrounds what workplaces have the ability to provide, but am unsure of what to search and look for.
- The kinds of texts Im hoping to find are ones that coincide with my points about disability services being accessible in the work force and what that looks like. Im hoping to find surveys or studies that center on those with disabilities who have experience in the workforce, or for articles that show those who do and those who do not. Im hoping to find articles that will emphasize the voice of those who would like inclusion in institutions. I want to make sure the voices of those who struggle with finding a job because of an impairment are heard, and find out why only some jobs offer services and others do not. Im focusing on searching disability services, workplace and education and hoping to find an article that incorporates those aspects. I will also want to try and include articles from workplaces who have services available on why they believe that this inclusion is important for the workplace. I want to be able to reflect that opportunity can be given, and it will be more beneficial for those involved.
Discussion Prompts 6/22
- Similar to many of my classmates, I am using Syracuse libraries as a main source. However I am also using the New York public library to search for sources as well. When searching for an article for the unit 1 assignment, I found it best to search for key words instead of long phrases. When I typed in key words, I found the articles were more relevant and consistent with what I was looking for. Whereas when I typed in long phrases, the articles differed drastically. So I am going to continue to keep my searches short with key words. Also using advanced search features such as publication date and content type, helps make the search a little easier. Content type helps narrow down the type of writing piece you want and publication date is important because you want recent information rather than outdated sources.
- My topic is about diversifying the education system and more specifically the process schools go through when they are screening and accepting students. When looking for primary sources, I have looked at mostly interviews with students and faculty for both private and public schools. Looking at the diversity between the two and the different viewpoints that are being offered. I have looked at articles about screening and all about the process of it for students and how it is different depending on the type of school and where it is located. When looking for scholarly articles, I referred back to Syracuse libraries as I have found a couple regarding the topic but will need to do further research. When doing this search, I hope to find people who are in the field of education or know a lot about it and are able to speak and contribute many viewpoints to the issue at hand.