Ozlem Sensoy
Ph.D.
BC, CANADAWonder why some people get so “sensitive” talking about race or gender? Why is “reverse racism” not a real thing? and “privilege” not about luck of the draw? Why do some people seem to have a “chip on their shoulder”? You worked hard for what you have, why can’t they?
As a professor and award winning author with over 15 years of experience teaching about diversity, Dr. Sensoy helps your organization understand diversity issues. Dismantling common myths about diversity (such as “reverse racism” and “this is all just political correctness”), Özlem translates research and academic concepts into accessible ideas. She helps your members see how reporting, writing, teaching, or just talking about diversity issues need not be an intimidating or annoying thing. In fact, it can give you immense insight into your own social experience, as well as tools with which to effectively communicate in a multitude of settings with a diversity of people.
If you are a police force who’ve been told you need “diversity training,” or a military unit dealing with deployment issues to an Islamic, Middle Eastern, or other cultural context, or a faculty of teachers (K-20) struggling with bullying or tension among students or staff, or a media unit reporting on stories about different cultural communities, you have likely already encountered the “diversity problem.”
The anxiety most well-meaning people feel is often a result of incomplete knowledge, guilty feelings, and possibly even frightening encounters. Dr. Sensoy is available for consulting, for giving lectures, or leading half day to multi-day workshops.
Wonder why some people get so “sensitive” talking about race or gender? Why is “reverse racism” not a real thing? and “privilege” not about luck of the draw? Why do some people seem to have a “chip on their shoulder”? You worked hard for what you have, why can’t they?
As a professor and award winning author with over 15 years of experience teaching about diversity, Dr. Sensoy helps your organization understand diversity issues. Dismantling common myths about diversity (such as “reverse racism” and “this is all just political correctness”), Özlem translates research and academic concepts into accessible ideas. She helps your members see how reporting, writing, teaching, or just talking about diversity issues need not be an intimidating or annoying thing. In fact, it can give you immense insight into your own social experience, as well as tools with which to effectively communicate in a multitude of settings with a diversity of people.
If you are a police force who’ve been told you need “diversity training,” or a military unit dealing with deployment issues to an Islamic, Middle Eastern, or other cultural context, or a faculty of teachers (K-20) struggling with bullying or tension among students or staff, or a media unit reporting on stories about different cultural communities, you have likely already encountered the “diversity problem.”
The anxiety most well-meaning people feel is often a result of incomplete knowledge, guilty feelings, and possibly even frightening encounters. Dr. Sensoy is available for consulting, for giving lectures, or leading half day to multi-day workshops.
In Search of Genie Magic
In this session, Dr. Sensoy examines the "jinn" of Islamic mythology. Tracing the character from Orientalist era paintings, to I Dream of Jeannie, to Disney's Aladdin, the session traces the historical and contemporary stories about the genie of Islamic mythology in Western popular culture.
Mad men of the Middle East go ¿¿¿Mwaaaaaaaahhrrrr!!!¿¿¿
Why do Muslim men always seem so angry? This session examines the representations of "angry Muslim men" in mainstream media. Also, the session examines the connection between this representation and stereotypical representations of the Middle East and Islam as backwards, culturally decayed, and oppressive.
Is Everyone Really Equal?
This session will introduce the audience to key concepts and terms for understanding social justice including critical thinking, socialization, group identity, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, power, privilege, and White supremacy.
Presented in an accessible and engaging way (with stories, vignettes, and scenarios), participants will develope the knowledge and skills with which to address common myths such as "reverse racism" and "this is all just political...
Misogyny in Youth Culture
Scholars have identified misogyny (the hatred of women) as one of the foundations of sexism. Misogyny and sexism negatively effect both men and women via limited ideas about masculinity and femininity.
Using the example of children’s socialization, participants will examine expressions of sexism and misogyny in youth pop culture in order to understand how these expressions become hard to see and almost "normal" in society at large.
To do so, we will examine popular...
