Irshad Manji visit

Irshad Manji, with the force of personality and wit, brought her message of moral courage to WMU in September 2021, boosting the We Talk movement among students, faculty and staff. The Brooklyn-based educator and founder of Moral Courage College challenged her audiences to think differently about how they handle conflict. In classroom, panel, presentation and social settings, Irshad prepared young people to engage honestly about contentious issues rather than shaming or canceling each other.  

We Talk used the opportunity of Irshad’s two-day visit to broaden the initiative’s reach into the community, as she met with local government, business and civic leaders. Her closing presentation, Conversations in Divided Times, which included a lively panel discussion, was open to the public. See recording link below.

The author of  "Don't Label Me" advised audiences to “listen to understand, not to win." This skill, part of her inclusion program, Diversity Without Division, lowers emotional defenses all-around and thereby increases one's chances of being heard. She also recommended trading the either/or mindset for a both/and lens, which fosters grace as well as self-confidence. 

Through their nonprofit, the Moral Courage Project, Irshad and her team train individuals to become certified Moral Courage Mentors in their own communities. WMU community members are applying to the program. Join them! Learn more at moralcourage.org.

Learning resources

Podcast

The Jungle, Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy
With Entrepreneur Irshad Manji, founder of Moral Courage College

Videos

• Hear to be Heard—Quick tips from Irshad Manji to achieve positive outcomes through conversation and build foundations of trust.

• Conversations in Divided Times—Learn about Irshad Manji's five tips for engaging across divides, the Moral Courage Project she founded and directs, and view a provocative panel discussion she led with Jason Cabel Roe and Dr. Luchara Wallace. Recorded at WMU on Sept. 21, 2021.

• How to be heard (even by those who disagree with you), RSO pizza party with Irshad Manji, co-sponsored by the Western Student Association. Recorded at WMU on Sept. 20, 2021 by Connor Pogue, WMUx student videographer/editor.
• Profiles of Moral Courage in Public Service, open classroom with Irshad Manji, co-sponsored by the WMU School of Public Affairs and Administration. Recorded at WMU on Sept. 21, 2021 by Noah Morriss, WMUx student videographer/editor.
• The Moral Courage Method of becoming a savvy activist, by Irshad Manji.

Articles and handouts

Handout: The Brain Science Behind the Moral Courage Method, by Irshad Manji.

Book discussion guide: “Don’t Label Me: How to Do Diversity Without Inflaming the Culture Wars,” by Irshad Manji. A resource provided by the Heterodox Academy. 

• We Talk University Library Guide--books and articles related to We Talk-sponsored authors provided by Waldo Library, a co-sponsor of the Irshad Manji campus visit.

What is Irshad Manji talking about?

What is Irshad talking about and with whom? Get a sampling in these videos.

• Irshad Manji makes the case for why students should resist taking offense (3 minutes)
• Irshad Manji leaves Bill Maher speechless (11 minutes, explicit language)
• Irshad Manji and Cornel West: How can we the people converse when we disagree about justice? (< 2 minutes)
• Irshad Manji speaks with PBS "Firing Line" about how Moral Courage can replace Cancel Culture (27 minutes).