The NAACP "buries" the "N" Word.
The NAACP is holding actual burial ceremonies to finally put the "N" word to rest eternally. I could not be happier and in more agreement. This word has done nothing but divide us as a nation. Think about it...when a white person uses the word, it is a tremendous insult to the recipient (remember Michael Richards' rant?). If a black person uses the word, some argue that it isn't offensive. That could possibly be the case, but its use creates further division among groups and many people have used this as a crutch to continue using it.
I applaud the NAACP and individuals such as Master P (who has vowed to no longer use the word in any of his future rap lyrics) and Paul Mooney (the comedian...who will no longer use the word in any of his acts) who are strong enough to stand up and say "enough is enough" and "this word is no longer acceptable."
I would suggest that there are many other words that should follow suit. Please understand that I, in no way, believe all of these words are created equally...some may offend more than others. My point is that these words whittle someone down to a simple adjective. Again, let's go back to Don Imus...he described the ladies on the basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" when they were scholars, sisters, friends, leaders, and role models. Here are a few words to start with...consider making a pledge to never use them again and let's see if society can change...
Ugly
Stupid
Fatty
Chink
Mic
Kike
Spic
Ho (unless you are Santa)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- XM Satellite Radio shock jocks Opie and Anthony apologized Friday for airing a homeless man's crude comments that he'd like to have sex with Condoleezza Rice, Laura Bush and Queen Elizabeth.
The remarks were made on their show Wednesday by a guest the duo call Homeless Charlie. As the name of each woman came up, the guest said he would like to have sex with her — using language not fit for print.
Opie and Anthony laughed as they imagined Rice's "horror" while describing a violent sexual encounter in which Rice is punched in the face.
Washington-based XM condemned the remarks.
This article disturbed me even more than what Don Imus had done. Please...do not think I am condoning anything Don Imus did, however, to laugh while describing a violent sexual encounter in which a woman (and in this case, the Secretary of State!) is punched in the face, is deplorable and has no place on radio.
Do the DJs think about all of the teenage boys that listen to their station and now think it is OK to have violent sex with a woman in such a manner?
I have not heard about the aftermath of this situation just yet, but I want the public to realize that the more we hide behind "comedy" to perpetuate the degradation of women and the stereotyping of people of color, we can never progress as a society in a positive way.
WASHINGTON -- XM Satellite Radio shock jocks Opie and Anthony apologized Friday for airing a homeless man's crude comments that he'd like to have sex with Condoleezza Rice, Laura Bush and Queen Elizabeth.
The remarks were made on their show Wednesday by a guest the duo call Homeless Charlie. As the name of each woman came up, the guest said he would like to have sex with her — using language not fit for print.
Opie and Anthony laughed as they imagined Rice's "horror" while describing a violent sexual encounter in which Rice is punched in the face.
Washington-based XM condemned the remarks.
This article disturbed me even more than what Don Imus had done. Please...do not think I am condoning anything Don Imus did, however, to laugh while describing a violent sexual encounter in which a woman (and in this case, the Secretary of State!) is punched in the face, is deplorable and has no place on radio.
Do the DJs think about all of the teenage boys that listen to their station and now think it is OK to have violent sex with a woman in such a manner?
I have not heard about the aftermath of this situation just yet, but I want the public to realize that the more we hide behind "comedy" to perpetuate the degradation of women and the stereotyping of people of color, we can never progress as a society in a positive way.
Russell Simmons vs. Wynton Marsalis
I was watching the Today Show yesterday morning and saw an interview with both Russell Simmons and Wynton Marsalis. The interview was to follow up from the Don Imus controversy. Russell Simmons had come out after this happened to call for the hip-hop community to rethink their lyrics as many are degrading to women. I applauded Russell's actions because he is quite influential in many circles, not just the hip-hop community.
Unfortunately, in this interview, Russell went back on his stance and told Al Roker that he feels that these words are "poetry" and that the artists should be allowed to say whatever they want. Wynton Marsalis decided to jump into the fray and completely disagree (yeah Wynton!). We cannot continue to have a double standard in this world. Though the "n" word may mean something very different to an African American when said by another African American as opposed to a caucasian, the truth is that 70% of all rap is purchased by young white males. We are perpetuating the use of these words as common language and trust me..."ho" should not be used to describe anything but a garden implement.
I am all about free speech, but I am also all about being respectful of people and not labeling them or reducing them to a single adjective. We are complex people with many dimensions. Do not describe me as a "ho", a "bitch", or a "broad". I can only hope that more people see things the way Mr. Marsalis is seeing them...in a very respectful world!
Unfortunately, in this interview, Russell went back on his stance and told Al Roker that he feels that these words are "poetry" and that the artists should be allowed to say whatever they want. Wynton Marsalis decided to jump into the fray and completely disagree (yeah Wynton!). We cannot continue to have a double standard in this world. Though the "n" word may mean something very different to an African American when said by another African American as opposed to a caucasian, the truth is that 70% of all rap is purchased by young white males. We are perpetuating the use of these words as common language and trust me..."ho" should not be used to describe anything but a garden implement.
I am all about free speech, but I am also all about being respectful of people and not labeling them or reducing them to a single adjective. We are complex people with many dimensions. Do not describe me as a "ho", a "bitch", or a "broad". I can only hope that more people see things the way Mr. Marsalis is seeing them...in a very respectful world!
10 Years Ago, 'Ellen' Opened Doors but not Enough Closets
It was 10 years ago that Ellen DeGeneres's character on the show "Ellen" came out to the world as a lesbian. The Oxygen network just celebrated this episode's anniversary by airing a six-hour "Ellen" marathon, capped by the above referenced episode.
Now that we can look at where we are 10 years later, have we come that far? Sure..."Will and Grace" has come and gone; "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" is just another show now; we do have some prominent gay characters on TV; "The L Word" is in its fourth season.
But there still are a tremendous number of comedies out there that still try to get chuckles out of characters who fear they might be gay or perceived as gay, only to be relieved when, thank goodness, the heterosexual truth is confirmed. Why is it still socially acceptable to view homosexuality as this "horrible affliction" that one is just so relieved that they don't have?
Now that we can look at where we are 10 years later, have we come that far? Sure..."Will and Grace" has come and gone; "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" is just another show now; we do have some prominent gay characters on TV; "The L Word" is in its fourth season.
But there still are a tremendous number of comedies out there that still try to get chuckles out of characters who fear they might be gay or perceived as gay, only to be relieved when, thank goodness, the heterosexual truth is confirmed. Why is it still socially acceptable to view homosexuality as this "horrible affliction" that one is just so relieved that they don't have?
Shame on Delta Zeta Sorority
I was appalled when I read about Delta Zeta sorority at DePauw University in Indiana. For those of you not familiar, Delta Zeta is a sorority that was starting to have issues with a decline in membership. Folks from the national Delta Zeta organization visited on several occasions and discussed how the sorority could be more marketable and overcome an image that they perceived as "unfashionable and unpopular".
The first thing the national organization did was hold a two-day workshop for members on how to look on campus and how to present themselves. They emphasized that it was all about the chapter's image, not the individual's image, but members didn't feel that was the message at all. At the second visit, two alumni came in and gave members makeovers and showed them how to dress and wear makeup. They told members that there was no reason they should be out on campus without makeup! Michelle Stacey, one of the members, describes in her interview with Cosmopolitan that it was at this point when the girls subjected to this started to feel as if these sessions were personal and that this treatment started to eat away at their self-esteem.
On December 2, 2006, a letter went out to 23 sorority sisters--out of a total of 35 in the house--telling them they were out of the sorority. The official reason given was that the sisters hadn't helped enough with recruitement, but everyone could tell that the girls asked to leave had something in common, they didn't fit the "image" Delta Zeta had been trying to project.
This experience caused many girls to withdraw from classes. Michelle stated she was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety. Others took incomplete grades in courses. One member had to postpone her graduation because she needed to take time off during her last semester to deal with the stress of this situation.
Not only did this organization shatter the self-esteem of many of these girls, they negatively affected their college experiences, their careers, and their lives.
Let's go back to what Dr. King said all those years ago...should we not judge based on the content of one's character? Having been judged based on outward looks for so many years, I can speak to the self-esteem erosion, the negative effect on one's life, career, and overall life experience. We continue to place so much emphasis on superficial factors that have nothing to do with making society better. Couldn't Delta Zeta have looked at their falling recruiting numbers and said..."we will build a better image by being the sorority filled with the most intelligent, high-achieving women on campus" vs. trying to create some Barbie Doll image by teaching members how to dress and wear makeup?
Sororities should be there to help women progress in society...not push them back.
The first thing the national organization did was hold a two-day workshop for members on how to look on campus and how to present themselves. They emphasized that it was all about the chapter's image, not the individual's image, but members didn't feel that was the message at all. At the second visit, two alumni came in and gave members makeovers and showed them how to dress and wear makeup. They told members that there was no reason they should be out on campus without makeup! Michelle Stacey, one of the members, describes in her interview with Cosmopolitan that it was at this point when the girls subjected to this started to feel as if these sessions were personal and that this treatment started to eat away at their self-esteem.
On December 2, 2006, a letter went out to 23 sorority sisters--out of a total of 35 in the house--telling them they were out of the sorority. The official reason given was that the sisters hadn't helped enough with recruitement, but everyone could tell that the girls asked to leave had something in common, they didn't fit the "image" Delta Zeta had been trying to project.
This experience caused many girls to withdraw from classes. Michelle stated she was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety. Others took incomplete grades in courses. One member had to postpone her graduation because she needed to take time off during her last semester to deal with the stress of this situation.
Not only did this organization shatter the self-esteem of many of these girls, they negatively affected their college experiences, their careers, and their lives.
Let's go back to what Dr. King said all those years ago...should we not judge based on the content of one's character? Having been judged based on outward looks for so many years, I can speak to the self-esteem erosion, the negative effect on one's life, career, and overall life experience. We continue to place so much emphasis on superficial factors that have nothing to do with making society better. Couldn't Delta Zeta have looked at their falling recruiting numbers and said..."we will build a better image by being the sorority filled with the most intelligent, high-achieving women on campus" vs. trying to create some Barbie Doll image by teaching members how to dress and wear makeup?
Sororities should be there to help women progress in society...not push them back.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Progress in the Acceptance of Gays?
In reviewing some local news, I came across this article...
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/trends/6714431.html
The article has revealed that 72% of heterosexual adults say that they would not change their opinions about their "favorite" athletes if they found out the athlete was gay. I am encouraged by this progress.
This sounds quite simple, but at the end of the day, we should base our decisions on the person's ability and athletic prowess, not his or her sexual orientation.
Though I am encouraged by this news...we still have some work to do.
Jackie
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/trends/6714431.html
The article has revealed that 72% of heterosexual adults say that they would not change their opinions about their "favorite" athletes if they found out the athlete was gay. I am encouraged by this progress.
This sounds quite simple, but at the end of the day, we should base our decisions on the person's ability and athletic prowess, not his or her sexual orientation.
Though I am encouraged by this news...we still have some work to do.
Jackie
Barack Obama
Why the controversy over Barack Obama? Again, I am amazed at the things being said about this man. He, of course, was in the center of controversy when Joe Biden called him a "mainstream" candidate who is articulate enough to get the Democratic nomination. Yet, on the flip side, he is called "not black enough" by the African-American community because Obama is biracial.
Why don't we just make our decision about whether or not we will vote for the man based on the issues and his positions? I urge you to go to his website http://www.BarackObama.com and jugde for yourself.
Jackie
Why don't we just make our decision about whether or not we will vote for the man based on the issues and his positions? I urge you to go to his website http://www.BarackObama.com and jugde for yourself.
Jackie
Why Mr. Imus?
I wanted to ask Mr. Imus why he said such hurtful things to the girls at the Rutgers basketball team.
I have been teased by others because my name is Stinky, but I know that I am a good dog and am very lovable. My mom taught me that we must accept others for all of their differences and not judge based on outward factors.
I do not understand why Mr. Imus or anyone for that matter, would use words that are so hurtful to others. He never even met these girls...why would he say such a thing?
I encourage all of you kids out there (and your parents) to make sure that you never use this type of language that hurts other people. It isn't until we all know how much words can hurt that we will treat each other with respect.
Stinky the Bulldog
www.stinkythebulldog.com
I have been teased by others because my name is Stinky, but I know that I am a good dog and am very lovable. My mom taught me that we must accept others for all of their differences and not judge based on outward factors.
I do not understand why Mr. Imus or anyone for that matter, would use words that are so hurtful to others. He never even met these girls...why would he say such a thing?
I encourage all of you kids out there (and your parents) to make sure that you never use this type of language that hurts other people. It isn't until we all know how much words can hurt that we will treat each other with respect.
Stinky the Bulldog
www.stinkythebulldog.com
Monday, April 9, 2007
Fire Don Imus!
NEW YORK - After being criticized for his racially charged comments about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team, radio host Don Imus said Monday that he’s a good person who said a bad thing and will check his acid tongue.
“Here’s what I’ve learned: that you can’t make fun of everybody, because some people don’t deserve it,” he said on his nationally syndicated radio show. “Because the climate on this program has been what it’s been for 30 years doesn’t mean it’s going to be what it’s been for the next five years or whatever because that has to change, and I understand that.”
Imus said he was “embarrassed” by the remarks, in which he referred to the mostly black team as “nappy-headed hos.” He said he had made the comments in the course of “trying to be funny,” but he was not trying to excuse them.
Here is what the Associated Press reported about Don Imus this morning regarding derogatory comments he made about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team. We ABSOLUTELY need to rid mainstream America of these types of comments and language once and for all. It should not be OK to say them and then just "write them off" as trying to be funny or to just brush them under the rug as a "simple mistake". One does not say these things without meaning them in some degree. People certainly make mistakes and hopefully will learn from them, but to continue to do this over and over again is not acceptable.
Having been subject to these types of comments about my weight, I know first-hand about how destructive mere words can be. Imus, particularly being in the public eye, must realize how powerful his words are and that millions of people hear them each day. The more you refer to African-American female athletes as "nappy-headed hos", the more people will believe this to be true. Have respect for your fellow human being and the world will be a much better place!
“Here’s what I’ve learned: that you can’t make fun of everybody, because some people don’t deserve it,” he said on his nationally syndicated radio show. “Because the climate on this program has been what it’s been for 30 years doesn’t mean it’s going to be what it’s been for the next five years or whatever because that has to change, and I understand that.”
Imus said he was “embarrassed” by the remarks, in which he referred to the mostly black team as “nappy-headed hos.” He said he had made the comments in the course of “trying to be funny,” but he was not trying to excuse them.
Here is what the Associated Press reported about Don Imus this morning regarding derogatory comments he made about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team. We ABSOLUTELY need to rid mainstream America of these types of comments and language once and for all. It should not be OK to say them and then just "write them off" as trying to be funny or to just brush them under the rug as a "simple mistake". One does not say these things without meaning them in some degree. People certainly make mistakes and hopefully will learn from them, but to continue to do this over and over again is not acceptable.
Having been subject to these types of comments about my weight, I know first-hand about how destructive mere words can be. Imus, particularly being in the public eye, must realize how powerful his words are and that millions of people hear them each day. The more you refer to African-American female athletes as "nappy-headed hos", the more people will believe this to be true. Have respect for your fellow human being and the world will be a much better place!
Monday, April 2, 2007
Hate Mail
I happened to check out Eugene Kane's article from yesterday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=584635
The article started by talking about a piece of hate mail he received from someone who took painstaking time to put together a small album of pictures and hateful comments. This person took a picture of a group of African-American college students at graduation and wrote "too stupid to get in on their own," referring to their ability to get into college in the first place. This person also wrote "future welfare queens" on a picture of African-American children and sent this in.
How can we ever get to a state of acceptance and inclusion with this type of activity still going on?
I'd have to say that unfortunately, this type of ignorance still exists and may never go away completely, but it is up to all of us to dismiss this type of language and activity from our day-to-day lives and be mindful of what damage these words and actions can cause.
Of course, this person did not have the backbone to put his/her name on the envelope sent to Eugene Kane...that is typically the case. If you feel so strongly about something, you should be comfortable sharing your identity with the world. Why hide behind the hatred? This just tells me you know you are not correct in your over-arching sentiment.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=584635
The article started by talking about a piece of hate mail he received from someone who took painstaking time to put together a small album of pictures and hateful comments. This person took a picture of a group of African-American college students at graduation and wrote "too stupid to get in on their own," referring to their ability to get into college in the first place. This person also wrote "future welfare queens" on a picture of African-American children and sent this in.
How can we ever get to a state of acceptance and inclusion with this type of activity still going on?
I'd have to say that unfortunately, this type of ignorance still exists and may never go away completely, but it is up to all of us to dismiss this type of language and activity from our day-to-day lives and be mindful of what damage these words and actions can cause.
Of course, this person did not have the backbone to put his/her name on the envelope sent to Eugene Kane...that is typically the case. If you feel so strongly about something, you should be comfortable sharing your identity with the world. Why hide behind the hatred? This just tells me you know you are not correct in your over-arching sentiment.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
John and Elizabeth Edwards
I read Jonathan Alter's column in this week's Newsweek entitled, "Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged" about the decision that John and Elizabeth Edwards made to keep campaigning despite the fact that Mrs. Edwards' cancer has returned.
Alter is trying to get others to realize that unless you walk in someone else's shoes, you truly cannot begin to imagine what is going through their head. I have experienced this type of situation (in a much different dimension though) before and it always amazes me how people think they understand how you feel or what is going through your mind without knowing what you are experiencing.
I recall a former friend of mine who, though she thought she was helping me, was extremely judgmental and tried to tell me what she thought I was thinking and then told me what I should do. Here's the scenario...she, I, and several other of our friends would go out to the bars. We were all single and I was the lone person of the group who was obese. Going to the bars was not my favorite activity, but I would go to be with my friends. If a group of guys would come up to talk to us, I usually shut down and wasn't very friendly to them. I know where this was coming from; it came from years of rejection and a need to not have to deal with it one more time. My friend (at the time) talked to me after the fact and said that the reason I was never going to have anyone come up to talk to me was because of the fact that I came across so coldly and I just should open up and all would be fine. Though I do agree that the fact I was so cold had something to do with it, I also had a serious self-esteem issue going on due to my self-image perception and let's be honest...I don't think "all" would be fine if I just opened up. The next time we went out and I actually talked to the guys that came up was even more of an amazing exchange between me and this former friend. She told me how proud of me she was that I was able to do this...maybe her heart was in the right place, but this was probably the most patronizing thing that could have been said to me!
What in the world does this have to do with John and Elizabeth Edwards you ask? I apologize for the rant. Those who think they made the decision to continue campaigning purely for political gain need to realize that they will never walk in the Edwards' shoes. This decision may have everything to do with living life and not letting cancer beat them than it does with political gain. Please understand that though everyone is entitled to an opinion, try to step back and realize that unless you've lived in someone else's shoes, you truly do not understand why they do what they do. This is extremely valuable in an efforts you make to try to understand someone who is different.
Alter is trying to get others to realize that unless you walk in someone else's shoes, you truly cannot begin to imagine what is going through their head. I have experienced this type of situation (in a much different dimension though) before and it always amazes me how people think they understand how you feel or what is going through your mind without knowing what you are experiencing.
I recall a former friend of mine who, though she thought she was helping me, was extremely judgmental and tried to tell me what she thought I was thinking and then told me what I should do. Here's the scenario...she, I, and several other of our friends would go out to the bars. We were all single and I was the lone person of the group who was obese. Going to the bars was not my favorite activity, but I would go to be with my friends. If a group of guys would come up to talk to us, I usually shut down and wasn't very friendly to them. I know where this was coming from; it came from years of rejection and a need to not have to deal with it one more time. My friend (at the time) talked to me after the fact and said that the reason I was never going to have anyone come up to talk to me was because of the fact that I came across so coldly and I just should open up and all would be fine. Though I do agree that the fact I was so cold had something to do with it, I also had a serious self-esteem issue going on due to my self-image perception and let's be honest...I don't think "all" would be fine if I just opened up. The next time we went out and I actually talked to the guys that came up was even more of an amazing exchange between me and this former friend. She told me how proud of me she was that I was able to do this...maybe her heart was in the right place, but this was probably the most patronizing thing that could have been said to me!
What in the world does this have to do with John and Elizabeth Edwards you ask? I apologize for the rant. Those who think they made the decision to continue campaigning purely for political gain need to realize that they will never walk in the Edwards' shoes. This decision may have everything to do with living life and not letting cancer beat them than it does with political gain. Please understand that though everyone is entitled to an opinion, try to step back and realize that unless you've lived in someone else's shoes, you truly do not understand why they do what they do. This is extremely valuable in an efforts you make to try to understand someone who is different.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
How Do I Look?
I was channel surfing last night before going to bed and came upon a show on the Style Channel called, "How Do I Look?" The show is about choosing someone who they believe is in need of a makeover and performs some sort of "intervention" with family members or friends to get the subject to learn the error of his or her ways in the manner in which he/she dresses.
This show was painful for me to watch. The poor girl, a senior in high school, was the subject of this episode. Both her mother and sister were in on the intervention. The mother told her daughter that she would never get a boyfriend if she continued to dress the way she did. The girl's sister told her that when people ask who she is, she does not tell them that she is her sister, but instead her cousin because she is embarassed to be seen with her.
I watched the expressions on the girl's face when these comments were made. She was visibly shaken and started to cry. In addition, the show's producers allowed the mother and sister to take pieces from the girl's wardrobe and throw them out. Each person decided to choose a piece of clothing the girl happened to be wearing at the time...they didn't choose from the large pile of clothes in front of them. They literally went up to the girl and made her give up her shoes and a shell she was wearing so they could be thrown away. This deeply troubled the girl as she felt very comfortable in what she was wearing.
Please understand that I truly believe in people putting their best feet forward and project a great image, but to tell a person she will never receive the attention from a boy because of the way she is dressed or tell her that you are embarassed to be seen with her is extremely hurtful. It amazes me that people televise this...the girl was in obvious emotional pain, yet that was not a concern. Does "the show must go on" mean at the expense of someone's self-esteem?
I believe these types of shows just fuel the superficial judgment that is out there. How will we ever accept people for what is inside when we continue to judge based on what is outside?
This show was painful for me to watch. The poor girl, a senior in high school, was the subject of this episode. Both her mother and sister were in on the intervention. The mother told her daughter that she would never get a boyfriend if she continued to dress the way she did. The girl's sister told her that when people ask who she is, she does not tell them that she is her sister, but instead her cousin because she is embarassed to be seen with her.
I watched the expressions on the girl's face when these comments were made. She was visibly shaken and started to cry. In addition, the show's producers allowed the mother and sister to take pieces from the girl's wardrobe and throw them out. Each person decided to choose a piece of clothing the girl happened to be wearing at the time...they didn't choose from the large pile of clothes in front of them. They literally went up to the girl and made her give up her shoes and a shell she was wearing so they could be thrown away. This deeply troubled the girl as she felt very comfortable in what she was wearing.
Please understand that I truly believe in people putting their best feet forward and project a great image, but to tell a person she will never receive the attention from a boy because of the way she is dressed or tell her that you are embarassed to be seen with her is extremely hurtful. It amazes me that people televise this...the girl was in obvious emotional pain, yet that was not a concern. Does "the show must go on" mean at the expense of someone's self-esteem?
I believe these types of shows just fuel the superficial judgment that is out there. How will we ever accept people for what is inside when we continue to judge based on what is outside?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Top Five Ways to Become a Better Person who Accepts Others who are Different
Have you ever thought about how you can take simple actions to learn more about people that are different than you? Below are five simple things you can do to help you understand someone who is diverse. Sometimes it takes getting out of your comfort zone, but you just might have one of those "a-ha" moments. Try these things and see if you look at the world a little differently afterwards...
1. Spend a day in someone else's shoes...attend an all-black church, go to a gay club, sleep outside in a cardboard box. Put yourself in a situation where you are the only one of your kind. Take note of the feeling you get when you are there...uncomfortable, isn't it? Remember that these individuals feel this way EVERY DAY when they are the only ones of their kind in the workplace, social group, neighborhood. Once you get a feel for what it is like, perhaps you will understand what it is like to be a "minority" a bit better.
2. Spend time with someone who is different than you (age, race, gender, national origin, religion, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status). Have a meaningful conversation about the things that make you different, but also of the things that make you similar. It can be very difficult to discuss these things, but if done in a respectful way, many people are very willing to talk to you to help you understand how they see the world.
3. Act as a mentor to someone who holds a lower level in society than you do. Find out about the barriers they have to achieving their goals. Is it education? Is it how they were socialized throughout their lives? Learn about the concept of "cumulative disadvantage" and realize that sometimes achieving lower levels in society is not as simple as the person being less ambitious than the next.
4. Put a slide show together of pictures of people of different races, genders, ethnicities, etc. and show it to children above the age of 5. Ask them to tell you what type of person each is. Record the responses. Then show this slide show to children under the age of 5. Record the responses. How do they differ? Why do you think they differ? Could it be that adults have passed on their biases to their children? Understand that people are not born with biases...they acquire them over time from others.
5. Go to a new ethnic restaurant every month in different neighborhoods within your community. Go to neighborhoods you typically would not go into. Eat at restaurants you never knew existed. Try different cuisines (soul food, Pakistani, Middle Eastern, etc.). Follow this experience up with learning about the cultures of each group represented.
Have you ever thought about how you can take simple actions to learn more about people that are different than you? Below are five simple things you can do to help you understand someone who is diverse. Sometimes it takes getting out of your comfort zone, but you just might have one of those "a-ha" moments. Try these things and see if you look at the world a little differently afterwards...
1. Spend a day in someone else's shoes...attend an all-black church, go to a gay club, sleep outside in a cardboard box. Put yourself in a situation where you are the only one of your kind. Take note of the feeling you get when you are there...uncomfortable, isn't it? Remember that these individuals feel this way EVERY DAY when they are the only ones of their kind in the workplace, social group, neighborhood. Once you get a feel for what it is like, perhaps you will understand what it is like to be a "minority" a bit better.
2. Spend time with someone who is different than you (age, race, gender, national origin, religion, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status). Have a meaningful conversation about the things that make you different, but also of the things that make you similar. It can be very difficult to discuss these things, but if done in a respectful way, many people are very willing to talk to you to help you understand how they see the world.
3. Act as a mentor to someone who holds a lower level in society than you do. Find out about the barriers they have to achieving their goals. Is it education? Is it how they were socialized throughout their lives? Learn about the concept of "cumulative disadvantage" and realize that sometimes achieving lower levels in society is not as simple as the person being less ambitious than the next.
4. Put a slide show together of pictures of people of different races, genders, ethnicities, etc. and show it to children above the age of 5. Ask them to tell you what type of person each is. Record the responses. Then show this slide show to children under the age of 5. Record the responses. How do they differ? Why do you think they differ? Could it be that adults have passed on their biases to their children? Understand that people are not born with biases...they acquire them over time from others.
5. Go to a new ethnic restaurant every month in different neighborhoods within your community. Go to neighborhoods you typically would not go into. Eat at restaurants you never knew existed. Try different cuisines (soul food, Pakistani, Middle Eastern, etc.). Follow this experience up with learning about the cultures of each group represented.
I would have to say that I was pretty stunned by the words of Tony Dungy, Head Coach of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, stating that marriage should only be between one man and one woman. Being touted as somewhat of a "pioneer" in his profession as being the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl, it still amazes me how someone can, on one hand, talk about how important it is to be color-blind when it comes to opportunities, yet then can completely discriminate against another group of people. Tony...think about what you are saying. You are basically saying that it is wrong to discriminate against people based upon the color of their skin, but it is OK to discriminate based on sexual orientation. Was our country not founded on the principles that all men are created equal? Why would it be OK to apply this to one group and not another? This double standard does not work with me.
Tim Hardaway, former basketball star, came out recently to say that he "hates" gay people. Hate is quite a strong word. Again, when it was African-Americans facing this type of hatred, it was wrong; when you show this type of hate towards another group, somehow it isn't wrong? Help me understand this.
The beauty of this country is that everyone is entitled to their opinion, however, when it comes to hate speech, people (especially those in the public eye) need to realize that their words can be so contradictory that they set back their own causes by many years. Why would I stand by Tony Dungy's or Tim Hardaway's side when they fight against discrimination for African-Americans when they discriminate against gays? I tend to be an "all or nothing" type of person this way. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated and it will come back to you in positive ways. I would be happy to stand next to anyone to fight for their causes if they truly believe in their hearts that everyone should be treated with respect and be given the basic human rights afforded to the masses.
Tim Hardaway, former basketball star, came out recently to say that he "hates" gay people. Hate is quite a strong word. Again, when it was African-Americans facing this type of hatred, it was wrong; when you show this type of hate towards another group, somehow it isn't wrong? Help me understand this.
The beauty of this country is that everyone is entitled to their opinion, however, when it comes to hate speech, people (especially those in the public eye) need to realize that their words can be so contradictory that they set back their own causes by many years. Why would I stand by Tony Dungy's or Tim Hardaway's side when they fight against discrimination for African-Americans when they discriminate against gays? I tend to be an "all or nothing" type of person this way. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated and it will come back to you in positive ways. I would be happy to stand next to anyone to fight for their causes if they truly believe in their hearts that everyone should be treated with respect and be given the basic human rights afforded to the masses.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Diversity "firsts"
Why is it that we are so fascinated when someone states that a person is the "first" woman to do something or the "first" African-American to do or be something? I realize that some people see this as the person being a pioneer or trailblazer of some sort, but I view this a bit differently.
I believe that as long as we continue to label people in such ways, we will never truly embrace diversity and be blind to some of these things. Can't we just say that the person was talented or qualified without having to note that they were a woman or a member of a specific race or national origin? Let's think about this.
It is great to celebrate the achievements of others, but if we continue to label people, truly creating an environment of inclusion is still quite far off.
I believe that as long as we continue to label people in such ways, we will never truly embrace diversity and be blind to some of these things. Can't we just say that the person was talented or qualified without having to note that they were a woman or a member of a specific race or national origin? Let's think about this.
It is great to celebrate the achievements of others, but if we continue to label people, truly creating an environment of inclusion is still quite far off.
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