4 2 T H E T U S C A R O R A R E V I E W 2 0 2 3 Goss-Harris: What can we do as individuals to continue your work? Dr. Dardello: I think that the work is all of ours together. I tell people all the time: just start where you are. Be self-reflective. Carry on the work of asking questions about our own belief systems, our own values and traditions—where do they come from? Who is it that they serve? And in what ways do they harm us? What ways do they silence us? How might I change my perspective or my actions so that I’m doing more good than harm? Goss-Harris: We learned that you contributed to a book about bullying. Could you talk a little bit about bullying in academia? Dr. Dardello: I was inspired to write this book based on my experiences at a previous institution. In my article I talked about the relationship between racism and bullying, how one fosters the other and how one contributes to the other. At the heart of it, bullying happens when we run away with our own assumptions and stories. When we don’t take the time to get to know someone else—their stories and where they come from. We create our narratives and begin to spread them. When that happens, people justify their mistreatment of you. That’s why I think community and community-building and connection are so important at every level of this institution, because it’s so much more difficult for me to harm you if I see that you are like me. And so there has to be some sort of prevention. Sharing is important. Community is important. Storytelling is important. Vulnerability is important. All of those things that humanize us become larger than those that separate us. Goss-Harris: What would you consider your greatest success? Professional or personal? Dr. Dardello: I think being here in this moment right now is my greatest success. Because being in the position that I am, as Interim Senior Diversity Officer, has placed me at tables where I get to voice my opinions; I have the ears of policymakers and people in power—who are listening. I get to impact what happens to students and employees here. More importantly, I get to advocate for them— and sometimes loudly. But I’m positioned to make those changes happen. For that reason, I would say that this has been the most impactful time in my career. It has fueled my purpose and it has empowered me to do a whole lot more. Goss-Harris: What will you miss most about FCC?
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQxMTc1