A Much Needed Update

In checking out the new blog interface (the behind the scenes part we use to post here), I found that this post from around two years ago never actually went up.  This is not a video that's been in use since looking for RAPP XXV, but I thought it good to go ahead and let this post finally have its day.  I thought it went up two years ago!

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

One of the amazing but challenging parts of RAPP is the continual process of self-evaluation and acknowledging the ways in which we perpetuate oppression in our daily lives. I finally have dealt with one of those that's been bugging me for a while.

Back in December I made a little "video" for RAPP (shown in an earlier post). Right away I caught a few typos and less-than-quality photos that needed to be swapped out. But, I never fixed those. A while later I realized another big issue. But, I kept using the same excuses - I hate MovieMaker, no one else will notice, I just don't have time - to avoid fixing it.

Considering how much it bugged me, it's sad that I took this long to finally start fixing it (the issue transfered over to later videos with the same format/different songs). If you watch the section on how RAPP "A place to teach others," nearly all the active people in the pictures were White.

I think the biggest (somewhat) unconscious excuse I used to take so long to fix it was having to 'fess up that I perpetuated the all-too-common racist assumption that White people have the most to teach others.




-Rebecca

Impact of RAPP XXV

We had a lot of fun in RAPP XXV! We also got some stuff done, apparently. :)Analysis of the pre- and post-tests for RAPP XXV are complete. As with any survey-based study, there are definitely limitations to the information pulled from the data. The survey instrument itself and the way in which the data was recorded and analyzed are all up for question.
The data supporting the claims below and a discussion of many of the perceived limitations of the study will be available through the full report being posted on the RAPP website (we're transitioning between systems, so I won't be able to post it for a week or so) - or you can get it by email if you request from me!
With all that in mind, here's an overview of the analysis of the impact of RAPP XXV:

Quick Guide to the Impact of RAPP XXV
The impact of the RAPP XXV experience – conducted in the 2009-2010 school year – was measured through an instrument developed in September-October 2009 for the RAPP Curriculum (written in fall 2008). The instrument was administered as a pre-test at the second meeting of RAPP XXV and a post-test at the second-to-last meeting. Only the instances where an individual took both the pre-test and the post-test were included in analysis.
Statistical analysis of 44 pre-/post-test sets led to the following findings:

• Students in both dominant and subordinated groups reported increases in daily awareness of their identity around race, gender and sexual orientation. The greatest increase in daily awareness was for heterosexual identified members around their sexual orientation.
• Across the board, respondents were more able to provide definitions for the following social justice key concepts: oppression, privilege, internalized oppression, ally, social construct, and intersectionality. The greatest improvement in providing definitions was for “ally.”
• Overall, there was a shift to being more likely to verbally communicate disagreement with offensive statements. The greatest shift in being more likely to confront a statement was with professors. Both initially and at the end, the group reported being most likely to confront close friends, romantic partners, family members, and roommates.
• There was an overall increase in reported use of strategies that enhance cross-cultural communication. The greatest increase of use of strategies by relationship was with good friends. The greatest single strategy increase was in greater use of speaking in a calm tone when responding to offensive statements made by family members.
• Overall, participants were more likely to identify common situations that result from racism on the post-test than the pre-test. The greatest changes overall occurred on the statements that connected to institutionalized racism.

SPSS Party Time!

With RAPP XXV, we debutted a new pre- and post-test developed specifically for the RAPP curriculum developed during RAPP XXIV.

From RAPP XXII at least, we'd initially administered the pre-test during the interview process and administered the post-test during the last meeting before the banquet. None of the data gathered was analyzed.

This year we administered the pre-test at the second meeting. We did this to minimized a feeling of needing to give a "correct" answer during the interview process in order to get in. We also thought it an interesting precursor to the RAPPers' year, kind of letting them know what they're getting into topically.

We administered the post-test at the same time as before - the last meeting before the banquet.

Now - possibly the biggest difference - I'm spending the next few days in front of a computer with a statistical analysis software program open. I'm using SPSS for this, both because I'm familiar with the program and because it's available in UC computer labs (i.e. not because I think it's particularly superior to other programs).

I'll post interesting finds as they're discovered and, hopefully, a full report over the summer!

Fall 2009 Report

Last fall I provided a report to the Diversity Council committee that oversees the allocation of funds to RAPP about what I'd been up to so far. This year I asked to make this an annual tradition. I like to be transparent about what I've spent UC's time and money on - plus it's a chance to highlight the hard work of all the folks who made RAPP work and the accomplishments of the past year.
This year's report will be available shortly at through the RAPP homepage. It's pending approval and uploading (how all that works in the UC content management system, I know not - I just know it usually takes a little while). For current members of RAPP, it's also available in the Documents section of our Blackboard page.
So, if you'd like to read it, it'll be out there soon!