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Attendees participate in a series of discussions on diversity. (PHOTO: Howard Depass)
Posse Plus Retreat tackles issues of national divisions
By Gabriela Foster ’18
February 9, 2017
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This past weekend, Feb. 3-5, the Posse Foundation hosted the annual Posse Plus Retreat (PPR) at the Radisson Hotel in Utica, NY. The retreat consisted of a series of themed group discussions and workshops that created safe spaces for dialogue amongst Posse scholars and the greater Hamilton community, with more than 100 non-scholars in attendance.
In light of growing national partisan divisions, the focus topic was, “Us vs. Them? Division, Community and Identity in American Society.” Attendees attempted to answer difficult social questions revolving around the idea of growing factionalism stemming from racial, political and economic motivations.
Chanel Summerset ’18 (Miami Posse 5) described how the workshops facilitated substantive discussions: “You are supposed to spend a weekend with this group of people trying to initiate and promote conversation about these hard topics. Then, we are supposed to go back to campus and continue those conversations with the rest of the Hamilton community.” Though these deliberations proved difficult, they are necessary to promoting a constructive community discourse.
Posse scholars addressed difficult questions including: Why does an “us vs. them” culture exist? Is it becoming more difficult to create a substantive dialogue between conflicting groups? Additionally, the groups evaluated the effectiveness and practicality of compromise, and what violent divisions mean for the future of American society as a whole.
According to Director of Opportunity Programs at Hamilton Phyllis Breland, “The discussions went very well, participants were engaged and energized. It is always a powerful accomplishment, when people can feel validated through the expression of their ideas. I have received several emails expressing thanks for the experience.”
With the goal of creating a positive impact for the campus community in mind, discussions included over 190 Hamilton students, faculty and administrators. David Dacres ’18 (Miami Posse 5) spoke to the importance of having all members of the Hamilton community involved: “I really enjoyed the amount of faculty members that stayed throughout the two days.”
PPR initiated the conversation by having participants identify groups, organizing themselves into groups they belong to and don’t, and analyzing how these groups are perceived by others. Additionally, the groups examined the positive and negative aspects of such stark societal divisions, and how these divides impact participants personally.
Closing activities revolved around brainstorming ideas for bringing the productive discussion in Utica back to the Hill. Before leaving, participants divided themselves into groups based on varying personal distinctions, such as race and gender. After splitting into respective groups, each group was paired with another to discuss communication techniques and perceptions moving forward.
One closing event stood out to Summerset, recalling the closing activities as one her favorite memories from the retreat. Participants sat in a circle, exchanging positive statements about one another. “After such an emotionally intense weekend, that is a much needed mental break. Also, it gives you the feeling that you may have moved someone with something you said or did without even noticing,” Summerset stated.
This year’s PPR marks the 16th year that Hamilton College has partnered with the Posse Foundation. Not only is PPR an opportunity for community members to engage in meaningful discussion, but it also promotes meaningful connections between students, faculty and administrators.