Navigating Identity and Privilege in Multifaith Engagement on a College Campus

Abstract

To be successful global citizens, students need greater religious literacy and competency engaging diverse religions and worldviews. Effective multifaith work in higher education is a form of intercultural engagement: When done well, this work does not belong just to religious life professionals but involves a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach. This article explores how issues of privilege and intersectional identity impact multifaith work, drawing on specific case studies and on relevant scholarship in race and gender studies, intercultural studies, and social justice studies. Practical suggestions are offered for introducing identity and privilege to students in the context of multifaith engagement.

Acknowledgments

It takes a village to do multifaith and intercultural work well. Carla Fullwood, then associate director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education, and Anna Torres-Zeb, then coordinator for Muslim Life, provided helpful input on an early workshop engaging these issues. The Power Flower is an exercise that has been adapted for the anti-bias workshops developed at Elon by Leigh-Anne Royster and maggie castor in Inclusive Community Development. Finally, we gratefully acknowledge the support and leadership of our University Chaplain Janet Fuller and all the students and colleagues who have contributed to our learning and growing together.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joel Harter

a

Joel Harter (he/him/his) ([email protected]) is associate chaplain for protestant life at Elon University’s Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. He holds a PhD in religion and literature from the University of Chicago.

maggie castor

b

maggie castor (they/them/theirs) ([email protected]) is program coordinator for Inclusive Community Development at Elon University and is getting their master’s in ethics and applied philosophy at UNC-Charlotte. They hold a MLIS from University of British Columbia.

Carolina P. Seigler

c

Carolina P. Seigler (she/her/hers) ([email protected]) is multifaith and intern coordinator at Elon University’s Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

Diana Abrahams

d

Diana Abrahams (she/her/hers) ([email protected]) is an interfaith activist, formerly employed by Elon University, and currently living in Australia.