Another great #SAChat, this week on Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies – Political conversations when you aren’t political yourself. Thank you to Sabina De Matteo and Alyssa Steele for MODing this chat.
MOD Q1: Would you consider yourself a political person? How does that translate into your work? #SAChat
A1 Loosely defined, anything can be political, but I do not see myself as a politician. #sachat
— Craig Z (@cz2day) January 19, 2017
A1: honestly, I am not into politics but I respect everyone's choices/opinions but I excercise my right to vote ?? #SAChat
— Jose (@jsalas115) January 20, 2017
MOD Q1b: If you ARE vocal about politics, how do support a coworker who chooses to be less vocal? #SAChat
Oh I love the update to Q1B: I am happy to facilitate tough discussions if a coworker is not. #sachat
— Kevin Forch (@kevinforch) January 19, 2017
Q1b.b I will advocate and support them in any way I can. And most know I will ebb and flow with them. #sachat
— Brian David Proffer (@BDProffer) January 19, 2017
MOD Q2: Do you find that there is pressure on your campus/in office to discuss politics? #SAChat
Q2 we're way too busy to discuss politics. I like it. It's a kind distraction #sachat
— ✊? (@myaRich) January 19, 2017
A2. No pressure to have the conversation. Sometimes no space to have the needed conversation. #sachat
— Jackie Alexander (@jackiealexander) January 19, 2017
MOD Q3: Do you think you are more or less engaged than normal because the final 2 candidates were Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton? #SAChat
@The_SA_Blog A3- More. 100000%. #SAChat pic.twitter.com/Es4EzuopCY
— Mollie Labeda (@MJHershey78) January 19, 2017
q3 part of everlasting problem was focus was on Trump & Clinton personas & not policies that will harm students, staff, #highered #sachat
— Shane (@scaddenFNL) January 19, 2017
MOD Q4: Tomorrow is Inauguration Day. How do you engage a student who feels the opposite that you do about President Elect Trump? #SAChat
A4. We talk about what the day means/ feels for both of us. We talk about the future. Then we talk about Childish Gambino and Migos. #sachat
— Jackie Alexander (@jackiealexander) January 19, 2017
A4: ?? To me, at the end of the day a student is a student regardless of whether I agree or disagree with them. I do my job. #sachat
— Kiley (@astoldbykiley) January 19, 2017
MOD Q5: Do you think it’s okay to NOT discuss politics at work? #SAChat
Q5: As education policy changes staff have to be able to have a conversation about how to continue to support students #sachat
— Amanda✨ (@Amanda_Learning) January 19, 2017
#sachat People have the right to engage or not – that's the beauty of this country. I try to understand, mostly out of curiosity.
— Michael Brannigan (@mjbranni) January 20, 2017
MOD Q5b: Being nonpolitical and choosing not to discuss it are 2 diff things. Why might someone not want to discuss politics @ work? #SAChat
#sachat Q5b-A5b lots of reasons, and people shouldn't push. That's that, I suppose.
— Michael Brannigan (@mjbranni) January 20, 2017
Q5b: even though higher ed should be a welcome place for productive convos, it isn't. #sachat
— Kiley (@astoldbykiley) January 19, 2017
MOD Q6: How do you properly excuse yourself from politically charged conversations you find yourself in unwillingly? #SAChat
A6: shut up and listen. Chances are my opinions aren't going to change, but it's good to listen and to learn. #sachat
— Kiley (@astoldbykiley) January 19, 2017
A6: "I've got that meeting…." #SAchat
— Nancy Dimock (@ROCnNC) January 19, 2017
MOD Q7: Think about a recent political conversation you’ve had that you walked away from feeling good. What made it successful? #SAChat
(We originally wrote “food” instead of good during the daytime chat…oops 😉 )
A7: But seriously, I feel good when I have an opportunity to empathize with stories of others. Helps us find common ground. #sachat
— Lesley D'Souza (@LesleyDSz) January 19, 2017
A7: walking away knowing you gave the opportunity for someone else to express his or her opinions. That to me is gold… #SAChat
— Jose (@jsalas115) January 20, 2017
MOD FT: What final thought or final question do you have as we close out this #SAChat?
FT: I think there is room to go more in depth with this topic, hopefully there will be more conversation around this in the future. #SAChat
— Amanda✨ (@Amanda_Learning) January 19, 2017
FT2 On college or university campus: was, is, & always will be dissent & diversity of thought if doing jobs well #sachat #highered #politics
— Shane (@scaddenFNL) January 19, 2017
