1. What is the difference between “calling in” vs. “calling out?” How is “calling in” an effective way to engage in conversation?
By calling in, you can have an actual conversation with someone and learn more about the way they are feeling and why they act a certain way. By calling in, we’d be able to work more cohesively and create a better relationship with others, and understand who might have a tainted view on a situation. Rather than blatantly call their beliefs wrong and shame them and fight, calling in allows us to mend false assumptions and teach others to grow and create a more understanding society. It is easy to shout and call names and put up a wall to deflect confrontation in situations that battle racism, sexism and other social problems, but calling in allows everyone to have a seat at the table, have a voice, and see multiple perspectives.
2. What is your reaction to Crenshaw’s talk on the urgency of intersectionality?
Intersectionality is unfortunately all too real in the world we live in today, and makes combatting issues of racism, sexism and other dividing problems far more difficult. A woman of color is not given justice if racism is eradicated, because she is still paid less than a man. If she is paid the same as a man, she is still cast aside because of her race. Certain injustices are cast aside and overlooked because of other, “more important” ones when in reality, the world’s issues go hand in hand.
3. What are the dangers of a single story?
A single story creates a subconscious narrative into what a singular individual or group of people may be experiencing in their everyday lives, contrary to reality. By having a “single story” as your only method of information and knowledge on a person, you can be creating a false narrative into their personality, lifestyle and culture, thus creating an unrealistic notion of this person or people and projecting unnecessary and improper biases towards others.
4. Based on the “Lunch in the Neighborhood” article, how do you view your role as a Fordham student in the community?
My role as a Fordham student in the Bronx and greater NYC community is to actually interact with the people that reside there and learn more about them, embrace the lifestyle and understand that we are not just visiting an attraction, this is the home of other human beings with different lifestyles, backgrounds, cultures and ideas, which is what makes New York so special. I grew up in the Bronx until I was 6, having gone to preschool there. I visit often, my grandma and cousins living there for years. Even then, there is still so much to the Bronx and the greater NYC area I haven’t experienced and been a part of yet, even though I’ve lived here my entire life.

Loretta J. Ross’ TED Talk on the importance of calling people in instead of calling them out is a strategy that I believe can be effectively practiced at Fordham University and in the surrounding communities. Ross finds “calling people out” to be a more damaging way of fighting for social justice than to “call people in.” With calling people out, there is less forgiveness and more hatred that is pushed onto someone, making it more unlikely for them to be informed of their wrongdoings. Instead, calling people in allows there to be a shift from hate to love, where you are inviting someone into a conversation instead of a fight. Although there is a great amount of simplicity and common sense in this idea, I think it is very easy for one’s emotions towards another person’s wrongdoings to become uncontrollable, leading out to a lashing of anger. Therefore, I believe that practicing this idea of “calling people in” is important because natural human behavior can make it hard to call people in at times. Applying this to the university and the stereotypes that many hold towards the surrounding communities in the Bronx, I believe it can be more effective in changing peoples’ perspectives by inviting people into the conversation for social justice instead of inviting them into a fight.

1. This writing talks about the dangers of gentrification and the power of community. People of color turned the Bronx into what it is today, but due to that success corporations and investors are now entering and gentrifying the area, causing people of color to lose the community they invested in themselves. This process is not new, and Jost and Markey note the parallels to historic redlining to prove it. Often those who lead an area towards success (such as people of color and the Bronx) are not the people who benefit the most, as those with more power come in and take the economic rewards the area receives. This creates a cycle of poverty and gentrification that benefits those already in power. It is our duty to preserve the rich culture of the Bronx and fight back against what the article calls “redlining in reverse” to ensure that those who made the Bronx what it is today receive the rewards they have earned.

2. This video demonstrates the power our preconceived notions can have on our world view. If we view people as foreign and strange, it stops us from using our differences to overcome more pressing obstacles, and prevents us from uniting over what we do have in common (which is almost always more than we originally think). The fact of the mater is that people are far more powerful together, and being surrounded by different things literally makes our brain stronger. Creating a single story for a race or a nation hurts all parties involved, and having an open mind benefits everyone.

3. Kimberlé Crenshaw highlights the way African American women are victims of not one form of oppression but two, and how this results in them being focused on less by the public. Crenshaw credits this to how society can not label the oppression under one simple category, and a result struggles to comprehend the oppression all together. Oppression is multifaceted, and one person can struggle from several different forms of abuse from society. If we only focus on what we understand, not only will it slow the process of bettering the world, but it will leave those who are most severely impacted behind. The experiences of black women that Crenshaw talks about can not fix themselves, and can not be fixed without the knowledge and desire of the people as a whole. Thus, it is important that we recognize the ways black woman are oppressed in society, and push for change.

4. Loretta J. Ross talks about an issue that is plaguing the human race in the 21st century: the desire to force others down instead of bringing them up. This can be seen very clearly on social media, where the desire to “win” an argument has become the main objective, overshadowing the goal of changing someone’s mind. The ability to have a proper discussion or debate has been lost, as our attention spans seek satisfaction from decreasing levels of commitment. The idea of “calling someone in” allows for ideas to be properly shared and, in turn, permits everyone to understand each other better. As Ross brings up, it is surprisingly easier to hate people you do not know and surprisingly hard to hate people you do. Encouraging understanding and love is crucial for society as a whole, and the presence of different ideas is essential to prevent a cult-like environment. When we are accustomed to people not being just like us, we become more willing to understand others and offer them help as well.

Lunch in the Neighborhood: This conversation made me truly realize that there is a major distinction between being a tourist or being a resident of a community. I have wanted to live in the city since I was eight years old and, as my time at Fordham approaches, I get more and more excited that it’s finally happening. However, this conversation has made me recognize that I can not simply live in the community— I must become part of it. In moving to the city, I need to understand it and its people, and recognize the systemic injustices present In order to do something about them.

The Danger of a Single Story: I found Adichie’s TED Talk to be incredibly powerful. I have always thought that language is a very powerful tool in shaping the perception of a person or thing, and Adichie points this out with her vivid descriptions of the single stories she knew of her house boy and that her roommate knew of her. People and things are often much more nuanced than the average person gives them credit for, and we all must keep this in mind when operating in our daily lives, especially when serving others. Instead of approaching service with a single story, we should approach it with a willingness to listen and learn.

The Urgency of Intersectionality: Crenshaw makes an incredible point here about the way that black women are often ignored by the media and face immense levels of both systemic racism and sexism. The “urgency of intersectionality” is that many are willing to address either racism or sexism, but not both, which leads to the suffering of black women who stand at the intersection of roads that Crenshaw pointed out. Black women experience violence and oppression at a disproportionate rate, and it is unfortunately not acknowledged in the way it should be. We must first acknowledge this in order to do something about it.

Don’t Call People Out — Call Them In: Ross’ reference to the nonviolence movements of the Civil Rights era struck me. I believe that in the modern day, we have forgotten about these principles when doing social justice work. The world today is so aggressively polarized, and people often get angry instead of attempting to educate that other person. As Ross points out, we should be inviting people to converse, not to argue. Calling people out with love will allow them to truly look at their viewpoint and understand where their error might be. Everybody has room to grow, and calling people out with love helps each side admit that and move together toward a better and more understanding future.

1. This conversation furthered my understanding of the sense of community that exists in the Bronx. The Bronx has its own culture, and it is important to respect and celebrate that. I loved Greogry Jost’s description of his urban plunge experience when everyone was salsa dancing in Poe Park. The sense of community extended to those participating in Urban Plunge that year, which excites me to learn more about the Bronx culture and get involved.

2. Everytime I hear Chimamanda Adichie’s Ted Talk, I am struck by its power. I found a connection between the single story of poverty that Adiche had, and the single story Adichie’s college roommate had before she even met her. Before Adichie went to the house boy’s village, she never even considered they could be capable of making something, just like Adiche’s roommate could not believe how capable Adiche was of living a life so similar to hers. It’s important to not rely on a single story, to instead steer away from stereotypes and instead be open to take the time to learn about someone and their life.

3. Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality, and described its significance particularly related to Black women. Not only is there gender discrimination and race discrimination, but the two can overlap due to intersectionality. I appreciated her use of the framing problem to explain this. Since there is no perspective or “intersection” that includes someone who is both black and a female, women of color are in turn ignored and discriminated against. To combat this, we need to confront the violence that occurs to these women. We need to confront the reality of our world, and stand up for these women to make a difference.

4. Loretta J Ross “wants to build a culture, and a world, that invites people in instead of pushing them out”. She wants to make the shift from hate to love. When people, of all different backgrounds and beliefs, come together, that’s a movement. We need to stop treating our potential allies like enemies, and learn to start a conversation. She comments on the recent phenomenon of “cancel culture” and the reasons why people call others out. Calling out does not accomplish anything, instead we need to practice calling in. If you hear something, instead respond with “that’s an interesting viewpoint, tell me more”. That way, you start a conversation, not a fight, because everyone deserves to be heard and respected. I greatly appreciated Ross’ advice, because in the society we live in today, sometimes it can be difficult to know how to respond when you hear an opinion different from your own. By practicing the tactic of calling in, I feel like I’ll be able to start conversations rather than shut them down, and begin to learn more about the various opinions that surround me.

1. This article includes a deep insight into the more complex aspects to community service in the Bronx community. Often, community service is done through a plainly altruistic point-of-view, under the assumption that what I do to help the community overcome its problems, or at least what I believe are problems, will always be meaningful and beneficial. However, this article shows that this may not always be the case. I was particularly struck by Eileen Markey’s statement regarding the “tremendous strengths” of the Bronx community which do not require any ‘problem solving’ under a sort of savior complex. It is important to do community service not just for people, but with people.

2. Adichie’s TedTalk reveals the importance of learning to understand a community through an intersectional lens, without simplification. Similarly to the article above, this TedTalk discusses how communities should not just be assumed to consist of one particular trope– not just poor, decrepit, or valueless. Adichie reflects on her own experiences, throughout which she unintentionally found herself disregarding the very real identity of someone she saw as simply ‘poor.’ On a similar note, in our efforts to work in the Bronx community, it is crucial that we do not simplify the Bronx community, and that we do not describe it as simply ‘poor’ or ‘unequal.’ That sort of oversimplification, which Adichie calls “patronizing, well-meaning pity,” does not allow us to connect with the people we seek to work with.

3. Crenshaw’s TedTalk shows us the importance of uncovering tragic stories that are not widely known in the community. This speech discusses the ways in which Black women, in particular, are too often cast aside by both businesses and media. Black women, as described by Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, are at the crossroads of being both Black and female, and facing the disadvantages that come with both. And yet, Crenshaw shows, the stories of these Black women’s struggles are commonly overlooked by the media. This shows how it is important for us, as we aim to work together with the Bronx community, to not only focus on tackling the issues we hear about most, but also the issues we hear about least.

4. Ross’s presentation brings up a rather unique perspective, from a social justice activist who strives to be accepting, empathetic, and forgiving towards those she vehemently disagrees with on social issues. Her desire to ‘call in’ those she disagrees with, rather than ‘canceling’ or calling them out without any room to change and grow, really makes her an uplifting voice in a field so often seen as strict and demanding of perfection. Her presentation also reminded me of a TedTalk by Daryl Davis, a Black man who successfully de-radicalized a high-ranking Klansman through honest, cooperative discussion. I highly recommend that anyone who loves this TedTalk should see Davis’s presentation as well.

The “dangers of a single story” speech shows how stereotypes can negatively impact people’s view of others, specifically strangers. There is a sense of safety in defining the unknown, one that I often find myself falling into. But this prevents me from seeing people how they want to be seen, and by giving them that “patronizing pity” Chimamanda Adichie refers to, I actively chose not to understand others who were different from me. Within my first year of Fordham, I learned to embrace Adichie’s words and utilize them to extend my worldview to others I, in another time of my life, would have never approached. By opening up to others, I developed an understanding of myself (both ethnically and culturally) and the stories I carried on a much deeper level. As a writer, I strive to tell a story that can impact the whole world, not just the one I live in. I want to contribute to breaking down stereotypes in the future and, with my actions, help myself and others recognize people beyond the labels society has given them.

These talks and readings provide a framework to challenge what we think we know and look beyond our initial perspectives to see the whole picture. Chimamanda Adichie and Kimberle Crenshaw’s speeches identify the issue of oversimplification and our tendency to boil down issues and, unfortunately, people to our preconceived notions and social monoliths. Adichie’s speech examines the pitiful assumptions that we make about communities and people, which, while lacking malice, can reduce someone to a single story or stereotype. Crenshaw’s talk call outs our unwillingness to recognize intersections in discrimination, leaving some issues unsolved or completely invisible. While both speeches highlight different problems, each pushes us to look past what we know and consider something new. Just because a neighborhood experiences one problem does not mean there aren’t many others that require solutions. Just because we are volunteering to help New York City’s various communities does not mean they should be defined by their issues. Similarly, Loretta J. Ross wants us to see individuals for the complex and multifaceted beings they are. Like Adichie, Lorretta inspires us to unlock the whole story rather than an excerpt or, in a more literal case, a post on social media. Doing so allows us to see past the sound bite or headline and open ourselves to a proactive conversation.
Each concept these speakers examined will help us understand our mission and purpose during Urban Plunge. We will work to help these communities while educating ourselves to shift our paradigms.

1. This conversation reminded me how important it is to do the work that we are doing right. This conversation makes me look forward to UPA training because I hope that we will be equipped with the skills to work with the Bronx communities in the most respectful ways. One thing that stood out to me was Markey’s discussion of tourism and how it is harmful. Another thing that stood out to me was how Jost said there was no power dynamic present when his Urban Plunge group came upon the live music concert. This was a powerful, clear example to me of how dance and all art connects people, and how important that is.

2. I am grateful for the opportunity to return to this TED Talk. I find something new in it each time. This talk is a very good example of how powerful the arts can be, because of its storytelling. It affects how we relate to one another.

3. It was so helpful to hear the breakdown of the term “intersectionality” from the woman who coined it. It was also interesting to hear the psychology of framing that changes the way we address problems. The video at the end was so heart-wrenching. It makes me acknowledge my privilege, especially when it frustrates me that I cannot be out at night by myself as a woman; it is even more dangerous for women of color.

4. I am so moved by Ms. Ross’s ability to forgive. I have been taught that if you forgive someone too many times, it allows them to hurt you. But I am interested in how Ms. Ross said that when you forgive, you are free from pain. Forgiveness is a sign of strength, not weakness. I really appreciate the call in framework, and will make an effort to use it more. I think a lot of the calling out comes from a place of impatience to make the world perfect, which I run into myself a lot. We have to understand that change won’t happen overnight or by creating more enemies. I was also really taken aback when Ms. Ross said that when many people think many different things that move in the same direction, it’s a movement; when many people think one thought, it’s a cult.

1. As explained by Ross, calling-in is calling-out with love. When you are engaging in calling-in you are inviting someone into a conversation so that you are better able to understand their viewpoint and debate them on this and see if you can help them grow in certain areas. Calling-out is where you are just looking to pin blame on someone and try to make them look bad for something they might have done/said. When you do this you are not interested in the growth of that person but you are only interested in bringing them down. One definition of love that I have heard is hoping and doing the best for someone. That is done through calling-in because you are looking out for them, trying to help them grow, and trying to help them to become a better all over person.

2. Crenshaw’s talk was a sort of wake up call to me along with everyone in the audience. I had heard most of the men’s names she listed in the beginning but only knew one when she listed the black women. What I took away from that was it goes to show how sometimes inequality can sometimes be compounded on itself in different forms, in this case being black and being a woman, “inequality squared” as Crenshaw put it. To deal with this inequality intersection I think it will be important to look at things from a larger reference point because only then will you be able to grasp the whole issue and how to better aid those dealing with multiple “layers” of inequality. However, this can’t get in the way of still standing with and helping those people who experience one type of inequality because their struggles are just as valid.

3. The danger of a single story is that it promotes harmful stereotypes that close off our minds and they can make us ignorant to the reality of how things are. Single stories pose a real danger because they are very easy to spread; these single stories seem quite plausible so why would we question them and do our own research when our time is limited? Single stories cause us to forget the fact that no one person’s story is the same and that when we lump these stereotypes on people this is where prejudices might start to arise because we view every single person from the one single story the same.

4. A common motto that was attributed to Jesuit schools was “men and women for others.” However, this has started to change to a motto of “men and women for and with others.” The addition of “with” might seem unnecessary or useless, but the worth with brings so much meaning to the person we are trying to serve. When we say “with others’’ we are implying that we are on a sort of journey with them to help them and it includes them as a person instead of making it seam like we are just doing work for them with no true purpose. This word with was mentioned when Gregory was talking about when he felt he started to be from The Bronx. I think this is important for us because it shows how our role in the community can’t be as an outsider looking in and only coming in at certain times, but we have to truly live inside this larger community and not just view it as a job or as work.

1. Calling-out is such a knee-jerk reaction when we hear an opinion that might not align with our own or if we hear a disrespectful comment. I’ve done it many times and I always notice it ends in an argument. Ross says in her ted-talk that “Call in is a call out with love. That comment stuck with me because most disagreements I might get in would be with people I respect and love. Calling out, she says, leads to hate and anger and fights. It leaves the other person defensive and humiliated which results to both parties to be less receptive to what the other has to say. Calling in engages conversation due to there being space to hear each other’s opinions and thoughts.
2. Crenshaw spoke of the dangers of social injustices, especially those that overlap. She made a point about social issues and how they go disregarded if they don’t have a name to it. Her example in the speech of overlapping injustices was of a black women getting rejected from a job because of being a black women. The issue is that she cannot sue the company for refusing to hire a black women because the company had people of color working for them and women. However, those who were women were white and the people of color were men. This stood out to me. I had heard this issue before, but I never realized the gravity to it.
3. Stories can alter peoples’ views of situations and, most importantly, people. Perceiving only one viewpoint forms a blind spot and ignorance towards others Stigmatisms can be installed into people who are closed minded which could lead to stereotyping and violence.
4. Community is something that thrives of off people working together and not for others necessarily. It builds stronger when one has an awareness and positive outlook on the group. Eileen Markey made a point of not viewing the Bronx as a problem that needs to be solved, but although people may go into a program like Urban Plunge with a generous and helpful attitude, it won’t necessarily benefit the community. My role in the Fordham community will be as a person who is willing to work with others, along with being a responsible, and knowledgeable student.

“Lunch in the Neighborhood” revealed to me that I should go into Urban Plunge with a mindset that prepares me to integrate myself as a member of the Bronx, rather than simply observing how I can understand the culture and “help” the people of the neighborhood. The article illustrates how, when it comes to social justice and community service, that we should have the mindset of working with the people, rather than working for them. Chimamanda Adichie’s message illustrates the dangers of a “single story”, which include ignorant, biased assumptions on people based on very minimal information, such as which demographics they fit into. This video encourages me to begin Urban Plunge with a completely open mind — a mind that is ready and eager to learn. Crenshaw’s message was extremely powerful and moving. Initially, the realization in the discrepancy between names and the reason the second batch was not well recognized was saddening but not completely shocking. The comparison of names skillfully demonstrated the exact reason why intersectionality is so crucial, as it broadens the lens with which we look at social injustices in the world.

Calling in is trying to understand an enemy or someone from the opposing side. Calling out is making a movement against the opposing side or “cancel culture”. Calling in is more effective because it can give you potential allies and can give more opportunities for a discussion rather than a fight. Calling in is an effective way to engage in conversation because it holds people accountable but attempts to understand them and can allow others to grow. It also allows freedom and growth within yourself to leave less room for hate.

I think intersectionality is an important subject to discuss, because it is the idea that all oppression is linked. It impacts all areas of life and how you identify can impact you in several ways. Crenshaw gave an example of a black woman being discriminated against in the workplace because she faced exclusion in the black community and exclusion in feminism and people don’t take into account how being part of different communities impact individuals. She also pointed out how the media does not pay attention to black women killed by police but on black men because of their overlapping identities. What she advocates for is important and I first learned about her in class and her opposition to feminist essentialism because it excludes black women. I think it is important to illuminate these issues because it is important and impacts many other communities as well like women with disabilities, queer women, and more. Every community should have multiple perspectives from those who have other identities as well.

There are several dangers of a single story. It prevents people from being open minded and seeing people as whole individuals rather than a label or stereotype. When people of power primarily make stories of other people it can be very harmful and reduces an individual to that story.

Based on the article I think it is important to learn and understand your community and contribute by taking part of community service and social justice.

2. Crenshaw’s TedTalk was extremely informative and thought provoking. Going into the video, I was unaware of the relationship between different systems of inequality and how this might affect people faced with varying forms of oppression. One aspect that particularly resonated with me was Crenshaw’s reference of Emma DeGraffenreid, an African American woman and working mother. DeGraffenreid had been wrongly dismissed by a judge after falling victim to an act of prejudice in the workplace. The judge refused to recognize the compounded effects of racism and misogyny. This shows the importance of recognizing and respecting each individual’s distinct experiences of oppression, and it calls for embracing broader perspectives. As an activist myself, I hope to fight for issues such as racism, gender discrimination, LGBTQ+ inequality, and more, in tandem. Instead of narrowing my focus to a singular aspect, I intend to approach these struggles holistically, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression.

1) Calling out is trying to correct someone from their biases or attitudes by confronting them, usually out of fear leading to a fight. This method makes the person called out feel isolated and not welcomed, instead of fixing their view as Loretta Ross saw firsthand when she tried to rehabilitate people from hate groups. She found that calling which involved hearing the person out and using that person’s logic or train of thought would most times see the errors in their way. This less confronting way like praising someone for their past compassionate actions so they can keep showing that same respect to all people regardless of labels.
2)Crenshaw’s talk is very similar to Adichie’s talk in that both remind us of the different unique experiences people have by bringing up the many different lenses people either look into the world while we sometimes look at them with only one. A great example of this is that in underprivileged communities it isn’t just a story about poverty or wealth but could be other things like race or historical injustices that have led to a wide gap from the rest of society. Crenshaw points this out when we look to solve injustices.
3)Single stories are the stereotypes and generalizations that we automatically think someone is a part of based on a group or label they are a part of which in addition to being insensitive or rude are also harmful to social justice. As Adichie points out single stories only paint a portion of what is happening in that community which gives places like third-world countries stories of poverty when not everyone is like that and often puts in people’s minds that the problems are insurmountable and can’t be fixed.
4) The Lunch in the Neighborhood article reminded me that I am now part of a new community just like the one where I grew up and not some person and an extended vacation. The difference between being a tourist and being an asset was something I took away from the article and would hope to use Urban Plunge to find charities or service opportunities in order to be that assets in the community.

A) In the “Lunch In The Neighborhood” article, one of the points I found to be most important to the way I want to approach Urban Plunge is the distinction between service learning and social justice. Recognizing the difference between serving people and understanding and working to change the infrastructure that causes people to rely on services reflects the heart of what Urban Plunge aims to do. The emphasis the Professors put on integration with the community as being vital to the work also stood out to me. I see how “not doing anything for people, but doing things with people,” as Professor Jost puts it, is so important to making the work we do valuable in the long term, to ensure it serves the community in the way that is most beneficial.

B) In regards to the way we view intersectionality at the crossroads of the work we do with the community, I was struck by both Crenshaw’s and Adichie’s assertions about the importance of broadening the lens with which we look at a given situation. I was impacted by the stories they shared about how expanding the frame of a narrative is vital to seeing all people within it. In connection with the work of Urban Plunge, I see how important it is to learn about all aspects of the community we work with to better understand their stories, their backgrounds, their livelihoods, and their struggles.

C) I was impacted by Loretta Ross’s assertions that when she began helping people move away from hate, she found she cared for them. One of the things she said that struck me most was “[i]ts not a matter of what we do, but how we do it,” and the emphasis she put on engaging empathy when entering conversations. She asserts that calling people out invites a fight, not a conversation. The spectrum she described of calling out to calling on to calling in is so elegantly powerful in the way that it provides options for facing adversity that focus on respect and forgiveness. I found her talk to be very impactful in the way she holds respect for all people, especially those who harbor hate, at the center of her philosophy. I admire how she shows that the efficacy of ‘calling in’ lies in its non-abrasive way of opening a conversation.

All four of these powerful resources invite us to discern and dissect our own stories, perspectives, and framings. While we all approach opportunities differently, each of these stories assists us in our approaches towards Urban Plunge. Lunch in the Neighborhood provides us with alumni reflections on their deep connections to the Bronx community and the importance of working with the surrounding neighborhoods rather than working for them. In doing this, we unify our purposes and strengthen our connections. Chimamanda Adichie speaks about the biased framings that often coincide with meeting and interacting with people different than ourselves. As we dive into a year of unfamiliarity in an unknown area, it is important that we do not surrender to single-story mindsets. It will be crucial to the Urban Plunge mission to stay open-minded in order to forge connections with the Bronx community. All of these sources teach us how to build bridges into our Urban Plunge programming.

1. In her TED Talk, Ross relates “calling-out” to today’s modern phenomenon of cancel culture. Calling someone out is angrily holding someone accountable through opprobrious remarks for something that they’ve done that is morally wrong, like racism, homophobia, ableism, etc… However, this type of culture creates nothing but shame, leading to anger and resentment rather than understanding and cooperation. Creating this indignity within someone will stifle their desire for growth and positive change, leaving them withering within their own guilt and strife. On the other hand, “calling-in” takes on a more positive approach, not shaming people for their wrongdoings, but instead, calmly and respectfully educating them in a way that promotes sympathy, mercy, and compassion. It involves making conversation and not disputes. It is about taking the time to understand someone else’s perspective holistically, making their opinions feel heard and valid, whether or not you agree with them.
2. Crenshaw’s talk on the urgency of intersectionality was striking and eye-opening. During the first exercise, I initially did not notice the discrepancy in the batches of names; the first batch was males and the second batch was women. However, once Crenshaw explained the discrepancy and how roads of discrimination crossed, it opened my eyes to the many niche, less examined injustices in our society. I tried to relate it to aspects of my own life, being a disabled woman as opposed to an able-bodied woman or a disabled man. This made me aware of the fact that discrimination is far more complex and nuanced than presented in the media. There are so many factors that contribute to prejudices, and sometimes, more than one can impact a person. I found the clips at the end to be jarring, yet necessary. The videos were so brutal and cruel that I could not fathom the fact that they were not shared by mainstream media. The talk just goes to show that there is so much more that meets the eye in terms of inequities.
3. A single story presents a narrow, ignorant view of an individual or group. It is making assumptions about people based on the minimal information you have about them, such as their race, nation of origin, sexuality, income, etc… These stereotypes can push people into a box, which can be extremely harmful as it promotes societal prejudices. When people are confined to boxes, they are often perceived as nothing else. Their strengths, weaknesses, personality, and individuality are clouded by the prevalence of their label. These stereotypes can lead to doubt, pressure, shame, and low-morale for the individuals impacted by them. It is important to look at humans panoramically, alternatively to compacted within the restrictive categories society places them into.
4. After reading the conversation with Mr. Gregory Jost and Ms. Eileen Markey regarding their relationship with The Bronx as former Fordham College at Rose Hill students, I now understand that my role is not to observe the culture and to help the people of The Bronx. Instead, my role is to become an integrated member of The Bronx, immersed in its rich culture, lifestyles, and community. I am to work with the communities around me as opposed to for them, striving to dig beneath the surface of the societal issues that take place within The Bronx. To be an active and contributing member of The Bronx, it is imperative for me to understand the systematic injustices that lie within New York City, as well as many others. I am not greater or less than the members of The Bronx, I am simply one of them.

After you engage with the content for Urban Plunge Day 1, we invite you to give your own reflection or respond to any of the questions below:

1. What is the difference between “calling in” vs. “calling out?” How is “calling in” an effective way to engage in conversation?
2. What is your reaction to Crenshaw’s talk on the urgency of intersectionality?
3. What are the dangers of a single story?
4. Based on the “Lunch in the Neighborhood” article, how do you view your role as a Fordham student in the community?