Hard conversations
An exercise in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
To open his session for the CUNA Management School’s second year class, Ronaldo Hardyasked students to leave the classroom briefly. Students formed two groups: women and minorities, and white males.
When the groups re-entered the classroom, again separately, Hardy gave them two entirely different receptions. The women and minorities were invited to sit down in the front of the room, and Hardy treated them like old friends.
The white males were hurried to the back of the room and ordered to stand on one leg with their hands held out to the side. The men were left to stand that way as Hardy began his session, his tone toward them brusque and impersonal.
Eventually, Hardy allowed the men to compete for the right to sit down in two chairs at the front of the room. The lucky sitters were the first to hop one-legged to the chairs from the back of the room.
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