Name: Beth Gregor
Title: Program Coordinator
How do you identify yourself? “Caucasian-American”. Just kidding—
I’m white.
What’s your background? I was born and raised in Hopatcong, NJ—and recently
graduated from Penn State with a BA in Sociology. I have
worked with the Race Relations Project for about a year
as a facilitator, and am now working as Program Coordinator. |
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What have you gained working
with the RRP?
Wow, a lot of new insights and lessons learned. I learned
that there is no one ultimate truth that we all should seek--
we all have our own selves and lives to discover. The journeys
that we have behind and before us are incomparable for they
are so unique and ultimately shaped by the random- interconnected
moments that make up our lives. Therefore, although it is
easy for us to place each other into easily understood categories,
this really degrades the beauty and complexity of individuality.
When in a race dialogue, I am overwhelmed by the stereotypes
that are challenged and the individuals that I find beyond
the categories that I subconsciously construct them into.
Each time I have facilitated a race dialogue, I have found
complex individuals where I initially saw characters in a
scripted race discussion. I have found compassion and understanding
where I would’ve passed judgment. – This is what
I have learned and continue to learn from real- speaking from
the heart and listening from the heart- dialogue—and
this is why I believe the Race Relations Project is so right
on. I have also learned that I do not know where I stand and
ultimately who I am —I just need to stick to my heart
and embrace moments, experiences, and trials as they happen
and continue to learn and grow. It is easy for us to have
answers for ourselves because they give us a position—something
to hold on to in a life that is constantly moving. But this
can keep us from growing and so I have learned to embrace
the questions--- to continue to explore myself and others.
Something Interesting About Me:
I love the outdoors and any corresponding adventure sports---
rapelling, white water rafting, hiking, kayaking, horseback
riding, skydiving, etc. I like anything that forces me to
face my fears—it gives me a rush and breaks down barriers
that can keep me from living my life to the fullest.
I have minor obsessions with HBO series, Pink Floyd, Law and
Order SVU, dogs, squirrels on campus, beef, and what is more
like an addiction—Wal-Mart. I am ashamed and hate going,
but it draws me in at least two times a week. It’s like
that South Park episode.
I quit smoking two years ago—haven’t touched one
since. If I could do it, trust me, you can do it.
Some Good Quotes:
I don't want to be an ant. You know? I mean, it's like we
go through life with our antennas bouncing off one another,
continuously on ant autopilot, with nothing really human required
of us. Stop. Go. Walk here. Drive there. All action basically
for survival. All communication simply to keep this ant colony
buzzing along in an efficient, polite manner. "Here's
your change." "Paper or plastic?' "Credit or
debit?" "You want ketchup with that?" I don't
want a straw. I want real human moments. I want to see you.
I want you to see me. I don't want to give that up. I don't
want to be ant, you know?
-Waking Life
