Power of Language Examined at PossePlus Retreats

Close to 5,000 students and administrators from 50 colleges and universities convened this spring at PossePlus Retreats (PPRs) titled “Sticks + Stones: Language and Speech in a Diverse Society.” The power and significance of language was identified by Posse Scholars as an important discussion topic in their campus communities.

At the weekend-long PPRs, students and administrators were led through a series of workshops by trained Posse facilitators to tackle the complex and nuanced issue. Participants explored topics such as political correctness, offensive language, hate speech, free speech, trigger warnings and how they connect to issues of identity and diversity on campus and beyond.

“The value and result of participating in PPR is an amazing transcendental awareness of self and society,” wrote Eric Furda, the dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, in a blog post for the Huffington Post. “Fortunately, the events that took place at the University of Pennsylvania also took place at over 50 other college campuses affiliated with The Posse Foundation. That means approximately 5,000 college students will be more aware and better equipped to become leaders in a highly complex, diverse, and global world.”