Diversity Training Videos - Crossing Borders Education

Tools to Prepare for Interactions

At the heart of our Diversity & Inclusion resources is our feature film American Textures, which applies cross-cultural skills and conflict mediation to interracial dialogue. The videos below are from a communication training of the six protagonists of American Textures (Kenya, Marissa, Tarrah, Santos, Salvador, and Colin) at the beginning of their road trip with group facilitator Ana Rhodes-Castro.

All videos below can be used freely under a Creative Commons-NonCommercial-License.

On Being an Ally view
Clip Summary: The group unpacks an experience where Tarrah instinctively used her relative power and privilege to create a contact/networking opportunity for Santos, who would have otherwise left the encounter feeling angered by false promises/dismissal. Upon reflection, they realize how awareness of our privilege allows us to wield this power more responsibly, consciously and with greater influence to support others rise up.

Courage to Talk about Race view
Clip Summary: The group discusses how silence and political correctness only support the status quo of stifled expression, subjugated emotions, misunderstood intentions, and suppressed harm. The group commits to confronting the tension and questioning each other for greater clarity when conflicts arise or feelings are hurt in order to create the deep community and mutual understanding and avoid being complicit in perpetuating micro-aggressions toward their peers.

History and the Expression of Self view
Clip Summary: Salvador and Kenya contemplate the influence of the Past and our personal and ancestral histories as inherited, and often internalized aspects of our present self. Kenya notes how her grandmother’s generation was conditioned to lead a double public/private life and constantly monitor their dress, behavior, attitudes in the public sphere to guarantee her safety.

Rank, Power, Privilege Part 1 view
Clip Summary: Ana lays out the basic definitions of rank, power and privilege to the group. They are core concepts that influence the forthcoming dialogues in the film and lay the groundwork and terminology to explore intergroup and interpersonally dynamics more deeply.

Rank, Power, Privilege Part 2 view
Clip Summary: The group explores the nuances and impact of context on various categories of relative rank, power, and status that are constantly in flux. Additionally, some broader social and structural constructs and contributors to fluctuating rank and power are fleshed out. The lingering impact of internalized oppression and its subconscious influence on our self-image and behavior is also brought into light.