ABSTRACT
The chapter considers common responses to diversity related material, explores why people often respond in these ways, and offers strategies to encourage an openness to learning. The chapter begins with a letter to the reader, acknowledging that learning about oppression and privilege can be challenging, while emphasizing the positive possibilities within this learning. The chapter then describes four central social structural reasons why learning about diversity is difficult and offers practices to enhance learning and openness. The chapter concludes with positionality statements from the authors. The chapter sets the tone, continued throughout the text, of inviting readers to consider their own developmental experiences, current perspectives, and emotional responses to learning about oppression and privilege.
