Event Report, Tottori Chapter March 2018

Parisa Mehran and Gerry Yokota presented an interconnected team workshop on the topics of diversity and inclusion. First, using stunningly beautiful images of Iran, Parisa took us on the journey to her activism and identity reconstruction as an Iranian English teacher and researcher in Japan. She recounted various critical events she has experienced and discussed how they transformed her into the constructive change agent that she is today. Parisa introduced her weblog, titled “I Am More Than A Stereotype”, which she writes with the aim of eliminating stereotypes and macro and micro-aggressions (defined as: the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership). She opened minds and helped to dissolve many commonly held stereotypes by making the invisible visible. Parisa concluded her presentation by illustrating how she creates mind-opening classes for her students by integrating her weblog into her lessons and by introducing the real Iran and Iranian people. 
Gerry Yokota discussed how educators can and should be responding to the voices of the victims of stereotypes. She asked the question “Are we making as much effort as Parisa is to be a change agent and dispel stereotypes, or could we be a little too comfortable with an inequitable status quo?” Gerry spoke from her perspective as both the chair of the human rights committee at Osaka University and a teacher trainer, conducting diversity-training workshops for both professors and high school teachers. She reintroduced us to the JALT Code of Conduct and helped us to explore the roles we all must play in realizing the ideals we profess to uphold. Gerry concluded with some practical steps we can all take to ensure that we also do not simply become a diversity statistic.
Parisa opened our minds to the possible dramatic consequences of unintentional actions and Gerry made us take a hard look at ourselves and own actions. Parisa discussed how to fight against negative stereotypes and behavior towards others and discussed how educators can encourage inclusion and awareness of diversity within their classrooms and educational institutions. Together they worked as a team to educate and rally more change agents and allies in the movement for diversity and inclusion. 
Twenty-five people attended this presentation.