E-Portfolio Entry

Activity Name & Description

Museum of Tolerance

During Summer Session (2013), I went with my cohort to visit the Museum of Tolerance. The Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is a human rights and social justice institute as well as a museum and educational space that to challenges it’s visitors to understand the myriad of ways that prejudice and discrimination exist in our society.

Date/Semester

2013 (Summer Semester)

Learning Domains Addressed (Labels)

o Leadership

X Social Justice & Advocacy

X Education

o Assessment & Evaluation

X Personal Development

Learning Outcomes

SWiBAT identify what makes me want to be a change agent/social justice advocate/ ally.

SWiBAT analyze parts of my own identity that are both privileged and historically targeted.

SWiBAT identify key themes and concepts from the Museum of Tolerance experience.

Assessment Rubric

Rubric: Museum of Tolerance

	SLO #1 – Change Agent	SLO #2 – identity Reflection	SLO #3 – Key themes and concepts of MOT
Advanced	I will be able to identify 5 examples of what it means to be a change agent.	I will be able to analyze 5 parts of my own identity that are both privileged and historically targeted.	I will be able to identify 5 key themes and concepts from the MOT.
Competent	I will be able to identify 3 examples of what it means to be a change agent.	I will be able to analyze 3parts of my own identity that are both privileged and historically targeted.	I will be able to identify 3 key themes and concepts from the MOT.
Basic	I will be able to identify 2 examples of what it means to be a change agent.	I will be able to analyze 2 parts of my own identity that are both privileged and historically targeted.	I will be able to identify 2 key themes and concepts from the MOT.
Poor	I will not identify any examples of what it means to be a change agent.	I will not be aunable to identify any part of my identities.	I will be unable to identify any key themes from the MOT.

Evidence (See Notes/Graphics)

For my first learning outcome, I was able to understand the many roles and duties of being an ally:

- Enter every space, with an open mind, an open spirit and an open heart.

-Express and share your own identity.

-Taking personal responsibility for actions, thoughts, beliefs and attitudes.

-Be active.

-Engage in discussion, keep communication open.

-Challenge myself, others, and larger social/historical institutions.

-Queer spaces.

-Use a critical lens.

-Be active in my own education.

-Create an inclusive atmosphere.

-Be a participant in my own change and in others.

-Question what energy I bring in to a space.

-Reflect on the narratives I am bringing in to spaces when I enter a space.

For my second learning outcome, I identified a brief list of my identities and labeled them as target and non-target identities.

Target (historically disadvantaged or marginalized)

Non-Target (historically privileged)

-Queer identified (target identity)

-Person of Color (target identity)

-Multi-Racial (target identity)

-Appropriate Gender Expression (non-target identity)

-Questioning Gender Identity (target identity)

-Appear to be able-bodied. (non-target identity)

-Understand that I carry a disability(target identity)

-Upper Middle SES Background (non-target identity)

-Academic (non-target identity)

In regards to my final learning outcome:

-Equation for Creation (no fear of difference)+ appreciation= creation

-Equation for Genocide: (fear of difference)+ action= genocide

-Words have power, check your language.

-Question: How do I want to live my life?

-Think about who is in charge of creating culture?

-Who/What is speaking when I speak?

-How am I willing to consume and use my privilege?

-Am I willing to give up my privilege to hold space for others?

Reflection

The Museum of Tolerance was an amazing experience for me to re-evaluate my own position as a social justice advocate. I spent a lot of time reflection and almost very little time conversing with others. This is rare for me. I tried to practice quiet meditation as I thought about some of the most important parts of my personhood. I felt that this experience gave me the opportunity to understand, the dynamic role a social justice advocate plays in are larger society and that I must continue to do more. This experience taught me to understand my own personality and recognize the strength and resilience of people who have been marginalized and exploited.

This experience made me examine my own voice and made me think about how my language constructs a reality and atmosphere. As I think about my role as a Student Affairs Professional, I am moved to do more, remained focused and consider every moment as an experience to learn and grow. I want to think about the narratives and voices that speak when I am speaking. This trip not only taught me to look deep into myself, but understand that I must bear witness for my position in this world. Doing good in this world, is more than an attitude it is a dynamic act of courage to be appreciate the unknown and seek to understand it and honor difference. I want to open space to let in more narratives both for my students, but also for myself.