Five Day Diversity Challenge
Elevating Civil Discourse Inclusion
#CivilTalk
Civil Discourse is engagement in conversations or interactions to enhance understanding of diversity, inclusion and equity. The challenge embraces the tenets of Civil Discourse as defined by Laurel’s Center for Research on Girls. Take one of the below challenges each day to learn something new.
2019 Class Legacy Project

Extending Empathy
Defined as…
- being aware of others’ feelings
- being sensitive to others’ feelings
- vicariously experiencing others’ feelings
Read: Navigating Triggering Events by Dr. Kathy Obear
Watch: #RethinkBeauty by The Diversity Center of Northeastern Ohio
Do: Ask questions to understand and learn
Accepting Discomfort
Defined as…
- being aware of one’s own feelings
- tolerating negative feelings in oneself
- coping effectively with distress
Read: Privileged by Kyle Korver
Watch: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them by Verna Myers
Do: Do something new that scares you
Braving Controversy
Defined as…
- appreciating that conflict can be healthy
- accepting that hard conversations take time
- tolerating ongoing disagreement
Read: 21 Americans With Opposing Views on Guns Sat Down to Talk to Each Other. Here’s What They Discovered by Kelley Benham French, Thomas French and Ben Montgomery
Watch: Confronting Controversy by Zachary Wood
Do: Be an ally
Cultivating Curiosity
Defined as…
- being open to novelty
- wanting to learn another person’s story
- being willing to learn new things about oneself
Read: Doing Good by Knowing Who You Are by Charles Seashore, Mary Nash Shawver, Greg Thompson and Marty Mattare
Watch: The Danger of the Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Do: Visit the Cleveland Cultural Gardens (bonus: attend the One World Day on August 24, 2019 at the Gardens)
Taking Perspective
Defined as…
- recognizing multiple viewpoints
- seeing a situation from another’s point of view
- comprehending unfamiliar thoughts and feelings
Read: When Civility is Used as a Cudgel Against People of Color by Karen Grigsby Bates
Watch: Love Has No Labels
Do: Write about a reflection or journal entry on, “If I were in their shoes,” and how that would make you feel.
Engaging Effectively
Defined as…
- listening actively
- questioning fairly
- asserting respectfully
Read: Civil Discourse Exists in this Small Corner of the Internet by Kiley Bense
Watch: Middle Ground
Do: Establish conversational guidelines when having a challenging conversation.
Additional Resources:
- Laurel Center for Research on Girls work on Civil Discourse
- National Institute for Civil Discourse https://nicd.arizona.edu/
- 2018 Civility Study https://www.webershandwick.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Civility-in-America-VII-FINAL.pdf
The LeadDiversity Class of 2019 appreciates your support and involvement in the 5 Day Civil Talk Challenge.