Some additional resources that have been shared with us include:
Article by Dara Horn “Why the most educated people in America fall for antisemitic lies” (The Atlantic, Feb. 15, 2024). Scroll to the end of this page to read the full article. Read Dara Horn’s bio
Searching for reliable information
The UW librarians have created a new guide with key resources that can help students and faculty when searching for reliable information regarding the conflict. Of particular interest is the range of news sources available through the UW libraries that provide a global perspectives on recent events.
Community dialogue best practices
As we approach dialogue around the topic, it is important that we proactively consider ways to engage constructively and learn together. Leaning on the work of our colleagues in the School of Social Work, here are some tips and best practices on effective listening, dialogue in lieu of debate, and empathy coupled with civility in difficult conversations.
Effective listening is an essential quality in meaningful dialogue and is markedly different from everyday conversation. Effective listening includes:
- Setting aside your own agenda while someone else is speaking.
- Acknowledging the emotional impact that the current and historical context may have upon the words of the speaker and the listener.
- Giving people grace and space to meet someone where they currently are with the opportunity to learn and grow together.
- Empathy is an important component of effective listening. Empathy is defined as perceiving and responding to the feelings of another person while remaining in touch with your own feelings.
Dialogue is not debate—there are no winners or losers in a dialogue. Dialogue also recognizes the dynamics of societal power as well as personal lived experiences. Rather dialogue is a process, where reflection and inquiry are at the core.
One of the dialogue techniques we can explore as a community is LARA: Listen, Affirm, Respond, Add Information. It has been adopted by many as a tool to engage in conversations around difficult topics and to provide a framework for responding to comments or questions—especially the hostile or threatening ones.
As a diverse community of students, educators and leaders, we must remember to lead with an open mind and an open heart, always willing to listen as well as willing to strive towards healing and strengthening our community during difficult times.