Are we more discriminative than we realise or would like to admit?
We don’t necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people.
How is it, that we can remain comfortable whilst knowing we continue to gain from the suffering of another?
It gets deeper, when we ask, ‘can anyone truly be human under the forces of such oppression, when they are condemned to a life where injustice is at the core, where their free will is exhausted and they are too eager to obey, because it is a precondition for survival?’ If this is true then why do we accept it? Perhaps it is because we really are subhuman.
We as individuals have a habit of using ignorance to construct our world, based around concepts that make us feel good about ourselves. This of course impacts on how we perceive an ‘ism’. It should therefore come as no surprise that many people shut down when they are confronted with the word ‘racist’ ‘sexist’, ‘disablist’ or ‘ageist’.
Sometimes this is due to fear of other people’s reactions. On the flip side it may also be the case that for those who are affected by the ‘ism’, that they feel too vulnerable and too disempowered to address it.
Prejudice or Discrimination?
In simplistic terms, discrimination refers to a persistent inequality where individuals in a society inherit an inferior social status on the basis of ‘ethnicity’, ‘gender,’ ‘age’ ‘disability’ and/or ‘transgender’. The results can manifest themselves in many forms but in essence it is the exclusion of people from full and equal participation in a lifestyle we all collectively perceive as being valuable, important, personally worthwhile and socially desirable.
Discrimination and prejudice are so easily intertwined that many people confuse the terms. This can lead to the erroneous assumption that overt ‘ism’ no longer exists.
Discrimination cuts both ways.
Many who have experienced oppression inherit prejudices borne from their experiences. These prejudices can be represented as a form of hatred or intense dislike towards all those who are thought to be part of the collective group that responsible for their social disadvantages.
To identify the act of an ‘ism’ in all of its subtle and persistent forms can be extremely challenging. However, it is important not to forget the history of ‘ism’. We are wired to like people that are similar to us. It is this history of ‘ism’ that cannot be dealt with immediately.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Thinking and Feeling our relationship on Equality, Diversity and Human Rights
Developing our understanding of equality, diversity and human rights and the important part they play in our lives through conversation an age-old tradition bridging and bonding within our communities. The conversation could cover a wide range of issues around cooperation and competition and co existing demonstrating the meaning of this in a personal way.
They are a devastating impact and their is evidence that in Richard Wilkinson’s and Kate Pickett book The Spirit level: Why more Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better are not upheld or are violated. The gap of persist inequalities are growing it is very important that we uphold the principles of Equality, Diversity and Human rights to secure our social economic and personal wellbeing within society or the crumbling fabric of societies will mass destruct on its self. A powerful argument within the book.
Equality, Diversity and Human rights are the cornerstone of a fair society. Everybody should have the right to live with dignity and respect, and everyone should be treated fairness, regardless of ethnicity, disability, age, religion, wealth, nationality and sexual orientation and other personal characteristic their may uphold. Equality, Diversity and Human rights affect every human being on earth, and in order to ensure our lives are not blighted by injustice, every human being on earth should be aware of their own and of other’s relationship of what do we mean by respect and dignity.
What is it to you?
What do you think?
Does it matter?
They are a devastating impact and their is evidence that in Richard Wilkinson’s and Kate Pickett book The Spirit level: Why more Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better are not upheld or are violated. The gap of persist inequalities are growing it is very important that we uphold the principles of Equality, Diversity and Human rights to secure our social economic and personal wellbeing within society or the crumbling fabric of societies will mass destruct on its self. A powerful argument within the book.
Equality, Diversity and Human rights are the cornerstone of a fair society. Everybody should have the right to live with dignity and respect, and everyone should be treated fairness, regardless of ethnicity, disability, age, religion, wealth, nationality and sexual orientation and other personal characteristic their may uphold. Equality, Diversity and Human rights affect every human being on earth, and in order to ensure our lives are not blighted by injustice, every human being on earth should be aware of their own and of other’s relationship of what do we mean by respect and dignity.
What is it to you?
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
The emotional fall out of Equality and Diversity belief
To describe a belief on our training course we use the metaphor of R.S.I. Not as repetitive strain injury, but as Repetitive statement injury. It is a statement or a series of statements which can have a detrimental effect on you and your life. It can stop you from achieving your potential and decreases your performance.
These beliefs play big roles throughout childhood and into our adult lives, so realizing how much they affect us can lead to an even bigger opportunity to change them.
An example of this could be a parent who does not want their child to be disappointed and therefore protects them by telling them not to do something. It could also be a teacher telling you that you are not good enough or you can’t draw or sing etc. There are many more of these RSI’s, and they live with us forever and become part of who we are and form the values that we live by. This, in turn, forms part of the map we live with.
This can affect anyone, as we are all part of equality strands, for example, a woman in the work place. Her R.S.I’s may be stopping her fulfilling her own potential, but the interactions of others reinforce her own lowered self esteem. It’s like a viscous circle.
We are not always rational beings; we are often under the influence of others. Our R.S.I’s work because of this, and so our actions come about because of our beliefs and our experiences.
What our purpose is, is decided by how helpful are our beliefs are. Do there hinder us in our interactions with people or not? This is a core principle of community cohesion and the bridging and the bonding of communities. It is also a big influence on Equality and Diversity beliefs.
There is an old Chinese adage, that is half threat, half prophecy, “May you live in interesting times’’.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
These beliefs play big roles throughout childhood and into our adult lives, so realizing how much they affect us can lead to an even bigger opportunity to change them.
An example of this could be a parent who does not want their child to be disappointed and therefore protects them by telling them not to do something. It could also be a teacher telling you that you are not good enough or you can’t draw or sing etc. There are many more of these RSI’s, and they live with us forever and become part of who we are and form the values that we live by. This, in turn, forms part of the map we live with.
This can affect anyone, as we are all part of equality strands, for example, a woman in the work place. Her R.S.I’s may be stopping her fulfilling her own potential, but the interactions of others reinforce her own lowered self esteem. It’s like a viscous circle.
We are not always rational beings; we are often under the influence of others. Our R.S.I’s work because of this, and so our actions come about because of our beliefs and our experiences.
What our purpose is, is decided by how helpful are our beliefs are. Do there hinder us in our interactions with people or not? This is a core principle of community cohesion and the bridging and the bonding of communities. It is also a big influence on Equality and Diversity beliefs.
There is an old Chinese adage, that is half threat, half prophecy, “May you live in interesting times’’.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Friday, 30 October 2009
Our Past, Our Future, Our Aspirations for Equality
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them and that a new dawn has broken, political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not that our society should want to pursue the values and beliefs of sharing equality. We need to pursue the values of equality; the values that help families find jobs at a decent wage, care that can be afforded and a retirement that is dignified.
We should indeed make this a reality. If not, progress will end. Those of you who manage the public's finance will be held to account and to spend these finances wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business with dignity and respect. Only then can we restore the vital trust between people and government.
Now is the question before us whether that equality is a force for good or ill? Its power is to generate co-operation and competition for us as people and communities, but this tension has reminded us that without a watchful eye, people in society can spin out of control and also that society cannot prosper long when it favours only a “them’’ and ‘’ us’’ culture. The success of equality will depend not just on Government, but on all of us in society; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart. Not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
The source of my confidence is the knowledge that Equality calls on us to shape our destiny. It does so with good relationships amongst people within our society.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
We should indeed make this a reality. If not, progress will end. Those of you who manage the public's finance will be held to account and to spend these finances wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business with dignity and respect. Only then can we restore the vital trust between people and government.
Now is the question before us whether that equality is a force for good or ill? Its power is to generate co-operation and competition for us as people and communities, but this tension has reminded us that without a watchful eye, people in society can spin out of control and also that society cannot prosper long when it favours only a “them’’ and ‘’ us’’ culture. The success of equality will depend not just on Government, but on all of us in society; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart. Not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
The source of my confidence is the knowledge that Equality calls on us to shape our destiny. It does so with good relationships amongst people within our society.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Have we come to a crossroad when we talk about Equality?
What emotion does it bring forward?
The rich developed societies have reached turning points in human history.
Politics should now be about the quality of social relations and how we can develop harmonious and sustainable societies.
It’s about balancing cooperation and competition, how do we reconcile these when we talk about equality.
The vision that the Government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission has of the UK society: An equal society protects and promotes equal, real freedom and substantive opportunity to live in the ways people value and would choose, so that everyone can flourish.
An equal society recognises people’s different needs, situations and goals and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and can be.
Are we all in pursuit of this? Or are we feeding the co-operation versus competition debate? In doing this, are we cementing the “Them and US” culture of fear? Where are we on the Barometer of Equality? Are we closer to “Great words of good Intentions” or the discriminatory society of the BNP and other extremists?
Remember, people will judge us by our actions, not our intentions. We may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.
Is this vision of the United Kingdom a need or is it a want in the history of our time, as a generation, we will be held to account for our actions or inactions, on achieving equality.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
The rich developed societies have reached turning points in human history.
Politics should now be about the quality of social relations and how we can develop harmonious and sustainable societies.
It’s about balancing cooperation and competition, how do we reconcile these when we talk about equality.
The vision that the Government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission has of the UK society: An equal society protects and promotes equal, real freedom and substantive opportunity to live in the ways people value and would choose, so that everyone can flourish.
An equal society recognises people’s different needs, situations and goals and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and can be.
Are we all in pursuit of this? Or are we feeding the co-operation versus competition debate? In doing this, are we cementing the “Them and US” culture of fear? Where are we on the Barometer of Equality? Are we closer to “Great words of good Intentions” or the discriminatory society of the BNP and other extremists?
Remember, people will judge us by our actions, not our intentions. We may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.
Is this vision of the United Kingdom a need or is it a want in the history of our time, as a generation, we will be held to account for our actions or inactions, on achieving equality.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Last night I was watching the movie the Pursuit of Happyness
It made me think about my work around Equality and Diversity and Inclusion!
Plot goes something like this!
In 1981, in San Francisco, the smart salesman and family man Chris Gardner invests the family savings in Osteo National bone-density scanners, an apparatus twice as expensive as an x-ray machine but with a slightly clearer image. This White elephant financially breaks the family, bringing troubles to his relationship with his wife Linda, who leaves him and moves to New York where she has received a job in a pizza parlor. She wishes to take their son Christopher with her, but Chris refuses because they both know that Linda will be unable to take care of him. Without money or a wife, but totally committed to his son Christopher, Chris sees the chance to fight for a stockbroker internship position at Dean Witter Reynolds, offering a more promising career at the end of a six month unpaid training period. There are nineteen other candidates for the one position. Meanwhile, he encounters many challenges and difficulties, including a period of homelessness and troubles with the IRS (Tax issues).
Using the movie as a metaphor for broadening our horizons.
The Pursuit of Equality
What do YOU stand for? What are YOUR values and YOUR principles?
What if l am promising you everything and nothing simultaneously?
What kind of country, neighborhood, and community do you want to see and what are YOU going to do to get it?
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Plot goes something like this!
In 1981, in San Francisco, the smart salesman and family man Chris Gardner invests the family savings in Osteo National bone-density scanners, an apparatus twice as expensive as an x-ray machine but with a slightly clearer image. This White elephant financially breaks the family, bringing troubles to his relationship with his wife Linda, who leaves him and moves to New York where she has received a job in a pizza parlor. She wishes to take their son Christopher with her, but Chris refuses because they both know that Linda will be unable to take care of him. Without money or a wife, but totally committed to his son Christopher, Chris sees the chance to fight for a stockbroker internship position at Dean Witter Reynolds, offering a more promising career at the end of a six month unpaid training period. There are nineteen other candidates for the one position. Meanwhile, he encounters many challenges and difficulties, including a period of homelessness and troubles with the IRS (Tax issues).
Using the movie as a metaphor for broadening our horizons.
The Pursuit of Equality
What do YOU stand for? What are YOUR values and YOUR principles?
What if l am promising you everything and nothing simultaneously?
What kind of country, neighborhood, and community do you want to see and what are YOU going to do to get it?
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
The emotional fall out of BNP Nick Griffin’s
Yes Good morning back to blogging had some time off!
Watching in disbelief at Nick Griffins performance on the BBC question time five days ago has given me food for thought as to think about as people, how we really understand what respect and dignity is, when it means broadening our horizon on equality and diversity and inclusion issues.
Watching question time I was very surprised that I was glad that Nick Griffin had the chance to use free speech and to capture his opinions and the ideology of his party. These can be summed up in the themes of the 3I’s of Ignorance, Indifference, and Inaction. His performance on question time was given away by his body language that he was not at all congruent with his answers.
The British people can make up their minds, with eyes open that as a society we cannot hide behind the 3I’s of Ignorance, Indifference, and Inaction. To marginalise minority groups, it reminds me of X men the movie. The plot is centred on the conflict between the X-Men mutants who have learned to control their powers for the greater good of mankind and a group of evil mutants, fighting each other and the world that fears them.
The Nick Griffins of this world are the political leader’s of extremist parties, in this case the BNP. Are creating fear and panic.
The political background in the movie consisted of the government pushing to enforce "mutant registration," which would label mutants and strip them of the right to attend public schools or lead normal lives. According to the movie's circumstances, it wouldn't be a far stretch to replace the label mutant with that of any other group discriminated against during the history of mankind.
Beware of the BNP.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
Watching in disbelief at Nick Griffins performance on the BBC question time five days ago has given me food for thought as to think about as people, how we really understand what respect and dignity is, when it means broadening our horizon on equality and diversity and inclusion issues.
Watching question time I was very surprised that I was glad that Nick Griffin had the chance to use free speech and to capture his opinions and the ideology of his party. These can be summed up in the themes of the 3I’s of Ignorance, Indifference, and Inaction. His performance on question time was given away by his body language that he was not at all congruent with his answers.
The British people can make up their minds, with eyes open that as a society we cannot hide behind the 3I’s of Ignorance, Indifference, and Inaction. To marginalise minority groups, it reminds me of X men the movie. The plot is centred on the conflict between the X-Men mutants who have learned to control their powers for the greater good of mankind and a group of evil mutants, fighting each other and the world that fears them.
The Nick Griffins of this world are the political leader’s of extremist parties, in this case the BNP. Are creating fear and panic.
The political background in the movie consisted of the government pushing to enforce "mutant registration," which would label mutants and strip them of the right to attend public schools or lead normal lives. According to the movie's circumstances, it wouldn't be a far stretch to replace the label mutant with that of any other group discriminated against during the history of mankind.
Beware of the BNP.
What do you think?
Does it matter?
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