Harvey works to find common ground

Korry Harvey has contributed to raise awareness about the issues of racism and discrimination for many years in the Pacific Northwest.

“We need a broader understanding of what diversity, inclusion, and equity are,” he said. “It’s about understanding power and privilege, and recognizing that differences are not only OK, but that differences should be celebrated.”

Harvey has been teaching at Western since fall 2001 as a Senior Instructor and Assistant Director of Forensics in the Department of Communication Studies. He received the Diversity Achievement Award last year.

The Diversity Achievement Award is presented by President Bruce Shepard to recognize staff, faculty, student or office effort to increase better multicultural understanding at Western. The deadline to nominate for the Diversity Achievement Award 2015 is May 8.

“(The award) creates a sense of validation in the work that you have done,” Harvey said. “We don’t do this kind of work for an award, but it’s still nice to know the work you do matters to people.”

Harvey thinks diversity is a prominent issue across society, and people have a responsibility to recognize the issues.  He said everyone should take part in solutions, always looking for opportunities to advocate and help out.

Harvey has taught a Communication, Diversity and Controversy class at Western for about 10 years.

“One of the primary focal points of the process is trying to locate the common ground between people without losing an appreciating for the differences, and that’s pretty challenging,” Harvey said.

In the class, students can share their own views and engage in different opinions and perspectives on a wide range of topics. Harvey helps students understand the issues through class conversations. Harvey has also been a debate coach at Western and established the “Let’s Talk” Discussion Series in 2001.

Beyond the class, Harvey has very involved with community events in Whatcom County.  He is a former board member and chair of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, which addresses civil rights, social justice, discrimination and race issues in Whatcom County.  The organization has hosted the Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference every January in concert with Western, Whatcom Community College and Bellingham school district and many community organizations to increase awareness and teaching skills to create partnerships for civil rights and social justice. Harvey was a lead organizer for about five years for the conference.

Harvey is also the chair of the Northwest Forensics Conference Equity Project. The project conducts surveys and collects data, facilitates discussions and addresses issues of power, privilege, sexual harassment and discrimination for a collection of nearly 50 colleges and universities across the Pacific Northwest. He always made sure that everyone feels welcome and equal and tried to create sense of awareness and skills to deal with the challenges.

Harvey coordinated the CASCAID Community Advocacy Conference for about 10 years. The conference dealt with variety of issues such as peace, justice criminal justice and global health. Harvey contributed to bring guest speakers and have workshops, discussions and training sessions.

“Rather than just ‘tolerating’ difference, we should appreciate difference, celebrate difference, and even pursue difference,” Harvey said. “That seems to be a far more healthy way to look at issues of diversity. Toleration carries too many negative connotations.”

Harvey wants to focus more on Western community again. He said he wants to bring back the “Let’s Talk” Discussion Series. He thinks it’s one of the best ways to bring people together. However, he would like to see a variety of people lead discussions in order to make the series more sustainable.

“I’m a privileged member of American society,” Harvey said. “I’m white. I’m male. I have access to a lot of privilege, and I think I have some personal responsibility to be aware of that and do what I can to help balance that out for those who don't have the same access.”