Maura Cullen, author of '35 Things Well-Intended People Say,' a book on vocabulary that widens the diversity gap, spoke at Langdon Hall Thursday, Nov. 14.
Focusing on race, gender, sexual orientation, class, disabilities, age and religion, the speech gave students and faculty to hear a nationally known speaker on diversity and inclusion.
In a packed Langdon Hall, Cullen discussed the things that have a negative effect on humans when it comes to their sexual orientation, class and religion.
As an example, Cullen broke up the crowd into three socioeconomic categories.
The first being people who grew up with more than enough financial resources, the second being people who grew up with enough financial resources and third, people who grew up without enough financial resources.
After asking the crowd to stand what their category was called, Cullen's point resonated throughout the hall.
"It's annoying to put it out there," Cullen said. "There's a certain vulnerability you feel when it's out there for people to see. But, think about it, you all arrived at the same place but I promise you, you didn't get here the same way nor will you go to the same place after you leave here."
Cullen also discussed how people tend to make things harder on themselves than need be.
Cullen used another interactive exercise in which she asked the attendees to turn to their neighbor, clinch one of their fists while the other attempted to unravel it.
"We do that in so many facets of our lives," Cullen said. "The easiest most efficient ways to seek cooperation or to get what you want is to ask, simply just ask."
Although Cullen's presentation was a serious one with many valid points, she found a way to make it fun for the crowd while still allowing her points to seek in.
"I thought she had some really good points," said Kendall Oxford, sophomore in psychology. "She kept it fun though but still got her points across to the crowd which I think is hard to do at the same time."
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