Appendix C: Anticipation Guide Perspectives Students were asked to express their opinions regarding statements related to topics discussed in First Year Seminar both at the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester. The idea is to gauge how their opinions or knowledge changed over the course of the semester. The most significant changes occurred with these statements: •
I understand the details of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
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I am familiar with President Harry S. Truman’s Executive Order 9981 issued in July 1949.
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I understand the “charism” of the Sisters of St. Joseph and how it relates to social justice.
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I am familiar with the story of Sgt. Isaac Woodard that occurred in 1946.
The one thing that didn’t change, 100 percent of our first-year students affirmed at the beginning of the semester that they believe racism exists in our world, this remained the same at the end of the semester. Additionally, at the beginning of the semester, 94 percent of responders shared that they feel a sense of responsibility to confront injustice and racism; at the end of the semester this was 98 percent. Students were also asked to select one of the statements and write about their thoughts, feelings, and opinions associated with the statement. Here are some of the responses: “Through reading Unexampled Courage and the various activities throughout FS 101, I understand Harry S. Truman’s Executive Order 9981 desegregated the U.S. armed forces and was a catalyst for further litigation promoting civil rights in America. I have also learned the importance of doing my individual part in confronting the injustice and racism around me - though it may feel like my action may not make much of a difference, if we all take on the responsibility and deny the acceptance of prejudice, it could help in the grand scope of eliminating racism and other abuse. I have also learned to understand and control my own personal bias and discrimination toward others. Though we all have them, it is crucial to consciously work to disprove and call out our unconscious bias thoughts/actions that we may have in order to ensure we are not contributing to racism or discrimination.” “I feel that awareness of my implicit bias changed the most for me. Knowing how I’ll react or interpret a situation based on my moral compass is important to me.” “The areas that changed me the most are learning how to stand up for yourself and address conflicts that involve racism. Doing the Bystander Training helped me identify other people’s harmful actions as well as my own. I know how to use my voice through social media, sending letters to representatives, and finding a group that shares my beliefs.” “One thing that has tremendously changed for me is identifying the difference between racism and prejudice. I also know how to actually stand up to what I know is wrong because I used to think that standing up involves me speaking when there are other ways I can confront. I also learned how to control the comments and thoughts I make towards other individuals or groups because although I may think I’m just joking, they may take it as me being racist and be hurt over the comments I have made. Most importantly I learned that to make a change, it should start with me first.” “Since the beginning of the semester, I have been shown that although something doesn’t affect me, it is my responsibility to stand up against injustice. I have been fortunate enough to have not had to deal with very many injustices in my life, but I have friends/my boyfriend who are minorities that deserve my help in setting non-bias policies in place that will better affect them, and our community.”
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