They Still Call Me Sister
Format: Paperback | By: Deborah L. Plummer
The bonds of sisterhood uncover the truth in a psychologist patient's alleged suicide. "They Still Call Me Sister" is a fictitious psychological thriller and murder mystery that will trigger conversations about racial identity, sexual orientation, politics and the intersection of religion. Kathy Carpenter, a former Catholic nun turned psychologist, had a patient, Chanelle Trout, who allegedly committed suicide. Carpenter, aka "Sister Nun," does not believe her patient took her life. Carpenter embarks on an investigation into her patient's alternative lifestyle that leads her into a scandalous underground world of sexual obsession, drugs, murder and political corruption. In the process of unraveling this mystery, Carpenter builds a closer relationship with her sister Tina and finds herself relying on her sibling to protect her as she puts her own life in jeopardy to discover the truth.
Available at: Amazon
Racing Across the Lines:
Changing Race Relations Through Friendship
Format: Paperback | By: Deborah L. Plummer
Plummer examines contemporary race relations through the lens of friendship and patterns of
cross-racial socializing, and offers personal insight as well as perspectives from focus groups she conducted of persons between 15 and 65.
Available at: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Pilgrim Press
Handbook of Diversity Management:
Beyond Awareness to Competency Based Learning
Format: Paperback | By: Deborah L. Plummer
This book brings together a group of diversity practitioners and scholars to address a variety of topics that comprise the growing field of diversity management. The categories of topics include theoretical foundations, skill-based learning and professional issues. With a foreword by Taylor Cox, noted chapter contributors include R. Roosevelt Thomas, Marilyn Loden, Edward Hubbard, Judith Katz, Frederick Miller and other seasoned professionals in the diversity management field.
Available at: Amazon | University Press of America
Race Talk in the Workplace:
Unraveling Intention and Impact
Format: PDF | Size: 172 k
This article provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of communicating across racial differences. It delineates a set of diversity skills designed to improve the communication process in mixed-race settings.
Download PDF
Going Plaid:
Integrating Diversity into Business Systems, Strategies & Structure
Format: PDF | Size: 180 k
Progressive organizations have taken heed that diversity needs to be woven into the overall business strategy and integrated into every aspect of the organization very much like producing a vibrant plaid fabric. This article discusses how to make it happen.
Download PDF
Race: An Old Topic that Requires a New Conversation
Race conversations matter…Education: Race continues to be part of the conversation on closing the educational achievement gap for Black and White student performance in math and reading.
Politics: Race continues to be a part of U.S. political discourse and affects our ability to productively engage in a global society.
Economy: Race continues to be a part of our discussion on America's economic future with a growing divide between the "have and have mores" with have nots disproportionately represented by people of color.
Health Care: Race continues to be a part of the discourse on inequitable treatment and disparate outcomes.
Leisure: Race continues to limit our ability to engage socially and to have crucial conversations that improve race relations.
Religion: Race continues to be absent from the discussion on what divides us on Sunday mornings and other times of worship.
Race conversations tips from Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations Through Friendships:
Benefits of Cross-Race Socializing:
Learn the value of a variety of opinions and thoughts. See "the other side of the dollar bill." Recognize the challenges and learning opportunities that new perspectives bring. Where there is a discomfort there is learning if we stay with the discomfort long enough. Base your expectations of others on individual qualities and traits rather than racial group identity. Seek out ways to personally and professionally develop diversity competencies. Take a class, watch a movie or read a book on racial issues.Encourage and accept openness in others. Do not assume.
When you make a mistake that involves race—get over it. Become emotionally resilient. Learn from it and move on. Spend time with a variety of people—don't avoid situations or events in which you might be the "only one" or one of a few of your racial group. Make other people feel valued. It will increase your own sense of worth.
Have a clear sense of yourself as a racial being. Understand how race has affected your life and influenced your thinking and behavior. Stop being an expert on what the other race might be thinking.
Talk and socialize with your friends of different races. Don't be afraid to ask the stupid questions. Don't be afraid to give the honest responses.
- Reduces racial isolation in communities
- Creates a better and informed citizenry
- Expands the concept of citizenship to a global level
- Improves team performance in organizations
- Spurs innovation