Differences in Use of Language

Less comfortable dialogues are essential to understanding and being respectful of one another I have been reflecting on some work I did with a large and newly formed team. Some conversations arose about difference, belonging, equality and other similar topics. On a couple of occasions during the session, there were some participants who disagreed over … Continue reading Differences in Use of Language

The Term “Gender-Neutral” May Not Be as Positive as you Think

A colleague mentioned this idea to me recently and it caused me to really think. I thought I’d share it with you. By calling some lines of clothing “gender-neutral”, we are implying that clothing isn’t normally these things. This might seem pretty obvious at first but read it again and think about it a bit … Continue reading The Term “Gender-Neutral” May Not Be as Positive as you Think

Respect: It’s not our place to pass judgement

"I’m a single mum. I’ll always be a single mum because I’m responsible for my sons, whether I’m living with Joe or not...There’s an assumption that if you’re with someone, like I am with Joe, you’re no longer a lone parent...I’ve done posts before [on social media] about how proud I am of being a … Continue reading Respect: It’s not our place to pass judgement

Diversity and Inclusion Book Recommendations

A Pair of Book Reviews It’s Not About the Burqa Edited by Mariam Khan A Book Review My number one takeaway from this book was, ‘I have no right to enforce my opinion, based on speculation, onto a group of people who I don’t identify as’. In a world full of misrepresentation and mis- or … Continue reading Diversity and Inclusion Book Recommendations

How to Uplift Other Communities

Becoming an Active Ally Part 3 of a 3-part blog In becoming an active ally, we can apply what we learn from the Black Lives Matter movement to other communities and confront different unconscious or implicit biases we have, whether that be in relation to disability, LGBTQIA+ or different religions to name a few. Below are some commitments … Continue reading How to Uplift Other Communities

How to Embrace Difference and Diversity

Similarity versus Difference  Part 2 of a 3-part blog  If you are someone who has not experienced prejudice before or who can sometimes struggle to empathise with those who have, try this little exercise:  Consider something about yourself which you deem perfectly normal - maybe your eye colour, hair length, shoe size. Now imagine someone … Continue reading How to Embrace Difference and Diversity

How to Remove Fear from the Equality Equation

Black History Month Learnings and Reflection  Part 1 of a 3-part blog  As Black History Month has come to end and we continue to learn about and celebrate the black community, I would like to share what I have recently been made aware of.   In honesty, I have previously felt a barrier of fear from not knowing if a conversation is going to … Continue reading How to Remove Fear from the Equality Equation