At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. Our Principles of Community statement reflects these ideals and charges each of us to recognize our individual responsibilities to the university community. Let us each commit to positive actions that affirm learning and growth for all members of the community.

Being an Upstander

When we witness biased speech or conduct and do not take action, we not only fail to support our community but perpetrators may incorrectly believe they are in the majority / have done nothing wrong. Often, those targeted report feeling doubly harmed, first because of the direct incident itself and then additionally because no one who was present stepped up to help in any way.

While it is important to intervene ANY time you witness bias, HOW you intervene, and what you try to accomplish with that intervention, will depend on the nature of the situation. Some important questions to consider:

What is the context?

Is this a one-time / first-time or recurring issue?
What is your relationship to the people involved? Are you in a position of responsibility (professor, supervisor, chair, older relative), a peer, or in a more vulnerable position?
How well do you know the people involved?
How urgent is the situation?
Is a public or private intervention more likely to be effective?

What is your goal?

Disarm the situation, change the dynamics
Educate (e.g., by sharing perspective or information)
Raise awareness, make invisible dynamics visible
Support those harmed by biased words or actions

Also see:

Nelson, J. K., Dunn, K. M., & Paradies, Y. (2011). Bystander anti‐racism: A review of the literature. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 11(1), 263-284
The 5Ds of Bystander Intervention, Right to Be

Common barriers

Being an active upstander carries its own risks and many people are understandably unsure how to help in ways that will be productive. Here are some strategies to address common barriers:

Barrier	Strategies
Not recognizing the need to intervene in the first place.	This can take different forms: Literally not recognizing that what is happening is a problem, not understanding that bias is involved Thinking something MIGHT be a problem but thinking that maybe there is some aspect of the context that you’re missing Realizing something is off but wanting to believe that the problem is not that big a deal or that it’s not your business Next steps: Raise awareness of own biases Learn about common incidences Understand the impacts, take responsibility
People don’t like confrontation and are afraid of making things worse.	Disrupt the incident through distraction Ask a simple question (directions, the time). If you share the same social identity as the harasser, consider asking the harasser; if you don’t, it is usually better to address the target. Pretend that you know the target.
It doesn’t feel safe to get involved.	First make sure that your assessment of safety itself is not being influenced by bias Delegate disruption by enlisting help from a third party. This could be someone in authority (such as a store manager) but doesn’t have to be; for example, asking someone of the same identity group as the harasser to distract/disrupt. However, this does NOT mean call the police, unless the target wants you to. Delay your response and check in with the target after the incident. Simply asking “Are you OK?” can help them feel less alone. Document what is happening by recording the incident or taking notes. However, this should not be the ONLY thing you do; e.g., if you record the incident, share afterwards with the target (give them the choice) as you also check in to see if they are OK.