Summary
Dr. Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander, affectionately known as Dr. B-A,
discusses with Jessica Smith the individual role within diversity and inclusion and the steps to change.
Credentials of Speaker
Name: Dr. Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander (Dr. B-A)
University Affiliation: University of Georgia, Associate Producer
of Employment Law and Legal Studies
Area of Research: Employment Discrimination in regards to Diversity
and Inclusion, Sexual Orientation, Race, and Gender
Sources
Photo: Personal photos of quilt patterns arranged by Dr. Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander.
The quilt configurations in the photo are expressions of diversity and inclusion explained by Dr. Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander.
“I'm
an avid quilter. I love quilting because
it teaches me so much about life. This quilt block configuration is a
perfect example. Each piece of the quilt block is exactly the same
shape. But use different fabrics and put those fabrics together in a
different pattern, and you get an entirely different
looking quilt block. I have to put each block together many different
ways on my workspace before I can decide which I like best. Again, very
same piece, but arranged differently, they create a different effect.
Like people. We are all the same, just as
the quilt piece is the same. But vary the skin color, hair color or
texture, change the eye shape or color, etc., and they may look
different, but they are all the same thing. Human beings. Like the
quilt block, the very same pieces, just arranged differently.
The changes may make us look different, but it doesn't change who we
are: human beings worthy of respect and dignity, regardless of skin
color, eye color, hair texture, lip, noses, etc. We really need to own
that and treat each other accordingly."
-Dr. Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander
Center for Social Justice Information
Associate Producer: Jessica Smith (UGA MSW '18)
Opinions expressed on this program do not reflect the views
or opinions of the University of Georgia or the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.