On Diversity: Access Ain’t Inclusion | Anthony Jack | TEDxCambridge

Summary

The speaker, a Harvard professor, shares his journey from a poor, segregated Miami community to academia, highlighting the challenges faced by underprivileged students in elite institutions. He discusses the 'hidden curriculum' of unspoken expectations and the cultural divide between 'privileged poor' students from private schools and 'doubly disadvantaged' ones from public schools. The speech also addresses issues like food insecurity and the need for true inclusion beyond mere access to education.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The speaker's journey from a poor, segregated Miami neighborhood to becoming a Harvard professor illustrates the power of education to overcome adversity.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 The speaker's family background, with a middle school security guard for a father and a janitor for a brother, highlights the importance of hard work and the impact of socioeconomic status on educational opportunities.
• 🏛️ The speaker points out the disconnect between diversity recruitment in colleges and the actual inclusion of students once they arrive on campus, emphasizing that access does not equate to inclusion.
• 📊 The speaker's research reveals that colleges often recruit from a narrow pool of schools, leading to a disproportionate number of 'privileged poor' students from private schools.
• 🤝 The concept of the 'hidden curriculum' is introduced, which includes unwritten rules and expectations that can disadvantage students who are not familiar with these norms.
• 📚 The speaker explains how engaging with professors during office hours can significantly impact a student's GPA, but this expectation is often unspoken and can be a barrier for some students.
• 🏆 The importance of cultural capital is underscored, as it can provide students with the unspoken knowledge and behaviors that are valued in mainstream institutions.
• 🌐 The speaker's personal experience and that of others demonstrate the cultural shock and challenges faced by students from underprivileged backgrounds when navigating college life.
• 🍽️ The script addresses the issue of food insecurity among college students, particularly during times when campuses close, leaving some students without access to meals.
• 🏆 The speaker argues for a shift from mere access to true inclusion in educational institutions, using data to support the need for systemic changes to support diverse student populations.
• 🤔 The script concludes with a call to question what else institutions take for granted, suggesting that a deeper examination of systemic biases and assumptions is necessary for true inclusivity.

Q & A

What was the speaker's first impression of Amherst College campus?

The speaker's first impression of Amherst College was that it was a fresh and different world, with the experience being marked by the sight of a chipmunk that was mistaken for a rat by his brother.

What does the speaker identify as the 'privileged poor' in the context of college students?

The 'privileged poor' refers to students from private schools who have cultural capital and are more likely to be accepted into colleges due to the cultural behaviors and ways of being that are valued in mainstream institutions.

What challenges do 'doubly disadvantaged' students face when entering college?

Doubly disadvantaged students, who typically come from distressed public schools, face challenges such as not having the same cultural capital as their privileged peers, which can hinder their integration into the college environment and their ability to navigate the unwritten rules of academia.

What is the 'hidden curriculum' mentioned in the script?

The 'hidden curriculum' refers to the system of unwritten rules and unspoken expectations within an academic institution, such as the importance of engaging with professors during office hours, which can significantly impact a student's academic success.

How does the speaker suggest that office hours can impact a student's final grade?

The speaker suggests that there is a correlation between visiting office hours and an increase in final grades, with each visit corresponding to a 1.25% bump in the final grade for that course.

What cultural shock did Valeria, a lower-income student from the Midwest, experience in college?

Valeria experienced a cultural shock as her previous education had emphasized maintaining order over making connections, and she entered college with the belief that advancement should be based solely on hard work.

How does the speaker describe the experience of 'privileged poor' students like Aragon?

Aragon, as a 'privileged poor' student, had attended a New England boarding school where she was taught by PhDs and was encouraged to engage with faculty, giving her a sense of entitlement to interact with professors in college.

What is the issue with the assumption that all students can leave campus during spring break?

The issue is that not all students can afford to leave campus or have a home to return to, leading to a lack of food and security for those who remain, which can be particularly challenging for lower-income students.

How did the speaker describe the situation of food insecurity among college students?

The speaker described the situation as critical, with two out of every five undergraduates in America being food insecure, often having to resort to desperate measures to make ends meet.

What is the speaker's call to action for institutions to improve diversity and inclusion?

The speaker calls for a shift from mere access to true inclusion, using data to identify and address issues like the hidden curriculum and food insecurity, and to challenge the unwritten rules and structural barriers that hinder the success of diverse students.

What is the significance of the speaker's personal story in the script?

The speaker's personal story serves as a testament to the possibility of overcoming adversity and achieving success despite coming from a poor, segregated community, and it underscores the importance of moving beyond mere access to education to ensure true inclusion and support for all students.