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The Pro-Human Approach

Pro-Human Focus

  • An individual’s unique qualities — the ultimate level of diversity
  • Our shared humanity — the common elements that unite all of us
  • Distinct sociocultural identities

The Science Behind the Training

The research is clear: a focus on shared identity, common ground, and similarities fosters greater peace, communication, and relationships. Focusing on differences and making social identities salient creates ingroup preferences and outgroup anxieties, leading to more division. There is a way to honor unique cultural and social identities while keeping common humanity at the forefront. This is the Pro-Human approach.

  • Most diversity trainings fail. They do not result in more diverse work cultures, and many foster anger, resentment, and division. [1]
  • Twenty years of research into Intergroup Contact Theory suggests that focusing on shared identity AND honoring unique cultural differences are important in fostering positive intergroup experiences. [2]
  • Cross-group friendship has been associated with more inclusive identities which, in turn, are associated with more positive relations. [3]
  • Balancing shared identity with distinct cultural identities is important for positive relationships in diverse groups. [4,5]

About Daryl Davis

On a quest to do nothing more than explore racism and gather information for his book, Klan-Destine Relationships, Daryl Davis eventually became the recipient of numerous robes and hoods given to him by KKK members who rescinded their beliefs after coming to know him. He had inadvertently stumbled upon a successful method of forming friendships between sworn enemies. His methods have made him the center of controversy in some circles where he is considered “politically incorrect,” but after proving his methods work, he has made supporters out of his detractors.
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As a race relations expert, Daryl Davis has received acclaim for his book, Klan-Destine Relationships and his work in race relations from many respected sources including CNN, NBC, Good Morning America, The Learning Channel, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun and many others. He is also the recipient of numerous awards including the highly prestigious Elliott-Black Award and the Bridge Builder Award presented by the American Ethical Union and Washington Ethical Society respectively, to name a few. Filled with exciting encounters and sometimes amusing anecdotes, Daryl Davis’ impassioned lectures leave an audience feeling empowered to confront their own prejudices and overcome their fears, seeking to build a bridge and forge peace with their most unlikely adversaries.

References

1) Dobin, F., & Kalev, A. (2016). Why Diversity Programs Fail. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2016/07/why-diversity programs-fail

 

2) Dovidio, J. F., Love, A., Schellhaas, F. M., & Hewstone, M. (2017). Reducing intergroup bias through intergroup contact: Twenty years of progress and future directions. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 20(5), 606-620.

 

3) Reimer, N. K., Kamble, S. V., Schmid, K., & Hewstone, M. (2020). Intergroup contact fosters more inclusive social identities. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 1-25. 1368430220960795

 

4) Ioannou, M., Hewstone, M., & Al Ramiah, A. (2017). Inducing similarities and differences in imagined contact: A mutual intergroup differentiation approach. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 20(4), 427-446.

 

5) Carter, A. B., & Phillips, K. W. (2017). The double‐edged sword of diversity: Toward a dual pathway model. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 11(5), e12313.

MISSION

FAIR Diversity is a program of the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR).

FAIR is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing civil rights and liberties for all Americans, and promoting a common culture based on fairness, understanding and humanity.