Using Intergroup Dialogue as a Catalyst for Social Justice with Kelly Maxwell

Kelly Maxwell reflects on how coming out as a lesbian in the 1990s sparked a deeper examination of her whiteness and a lifelong commitment to understanding her relationship to privilege and oppression. She traces her journey from growing up in an almost exclusively white small town in Ohio to dedicating 17 years to social justice education through intergroup dialogue at The Program on Intergroup Relations at the University of Michigan.Kelly also shares stories from her family life as part of a multiracial, interracial, two-mom household, and how those dynamics shape her personal and professional values on justice. She speaks candidly about the tensions of institutional “neutrality,” and how she works to align her values with her responsibilities on campus and in her role as Board Chair of the Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center, a nonprofit that supports colleges and universities in using dialogic practice to create transformational change in the pursuit of equity and justice.You can connect with Kelly on Linkedin.🔔 If you haven't already...SUBSCRIBE to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@socialjusticeoriginstories?sub_confirmation=1❤️ SUPPORT THE PROJECT Support this work by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories💬 SHARE YOUR STORY OR FEEDBACK Your voice helps shape this community and may be featured in a future episode.Email: [email protected] a Voice Note: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/contact/ or https://www.speakpipe.com/socialjusticeoriginstoriesOr leave a comment below🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOWWebsite: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991Wherever You Get Your Podcasts: https://pod.link/1771268991Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-justice-origin-stories/LinkedIn (Relando): https://www.linkedin.com/in/relandothompkinsjones/LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQSocial Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones.00:00 Introduction to Intergroup Dialogue00:45 Personal Transformation Through Dialogue01:23 Impact on Students and Alumni02:08 Power Dynamics in Dialogue03:09 Transition to Administration04:13 Symbolism and Personal Reminders05:21 Introduction to Social Justice Origin Stories06:30 Guest Introduction: Kelly Maxwell08:09 Kelly's Background and Early Influences09:53 Discovering Intergroup Dialogue11:36 Navigating Privilege and Oppression19:36 Professional Journey and Personal Life23:52 Adoption and Family Dynamics26:36 Addressing School Inequities31:13 The Role of Educators in Social Justice34:27 Personal Accountability and Family Influence37:29 Navigating Internalized Oppression and Superiority42:57 Financial Literacy and Class Awareness44:00 Impact of Intergroup Dialogue50:49 Challenges in Higher Education Administration01:03:14 Reflections on Dialogue and Social Justice01:10:15 Conclusion and Call to Action