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Let's Talk: Today's Social Issues

Senior Master Sgt. Daphne Soto, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing equal opportunity director, speaks with participants of the Let's Talk: Today's Social Issues seminar July 23, 2015 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. One of the topics was race, what it is and how it is defined. Each participant had a different idea of what race meant to them. To some it was nationality, to others it was culture, or where and how they grew up. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous)

Let's Talk: Today's Social Issues

Published July 28, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Usually when one hears the words "let's talk," a negative thought crosses the mind, but not in this case. The Let's Talk seminar facilitated by Senior Master Sgt. Daphne Soto, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing equal opportunity director, affords Fairchild leaders and representatives an opportunity to discuss social issues without barriers and concerns of retribution as it relates to their military position.

Given recent events in the media, Soto felt it was important to discuss the concepts of race and privilege, and that was the topic of the seminar: "Race: The Power of An Illusion" & "White Privilege: Is It Real?"

"I attended because I wanted to see the views of other people around me and the differences of our backgrounds," said a participant.

One of the topics discussed was race, what it is and how it is defined. Each participant had a different idea of what race meant to them. To some it was nationality, to others it was culture, or where and how they grew up. Each person identifies in their own way.

The way a person looks doesn't determine what they identify as; physical appearance is just that, an appearance. For example some Hispanics may be a lot lighter than others, some might even look "white."

The next topic was "white privilege" and if it was real. Some participants strongly believed it was real, but others strongly believed it was an exaggerated concept.

One participant was amazed at how they all seemed to be looking at the same picture but their perspectives resulted in entirely different interpretations.

Just because one person sees something a certain way does not mean everyone will see it that way.

Another participant believed it was a great learning experience to be able to see the different views. They said it was a success because the seminar was held in a relaxed environment with no ranks, where people could express themselves freely.

"Hopefully, everyone can garner empathy and see another viewpoint besides their own," said Soto. "Ignoring problems and falling into the social media trap can lead to continued misunderstandings and bigger problems."