EQUALITY INSIGHTS
Weekly 5 Things editions plus essays and GUIDANCE on inclusive communication
5 Things / Getting It Right
I’m part of a Facebook group where there was a hot debate this week after a particular speaker was announced for an upcoming event. With fears of cancel culture, cries for freedom of speech, and heartfelt descriptions of personal trauma, I was reminded of just how polarized we are. And how it sure is easy to hide behind a Facebook post.
5 Things / Spring Break
This week my 11-year-old son is on spring break. I thought it might be fun if he watched 5 Things in 15 Minutes on Monday (he was happy for the screen access!) I forwarded him the newsletter but instead of using the YouTube link, he used the LinkedIn link and then was asked to create a LinkedIn account in order to watch. In three minutes, my son Patrick told the world (via LinkedIn) that he’s an Amazon account manager. That was my first LOL moment after the show wrapped.
5 Things / Trivia Edition
Pop quiz: Name the self-described “Black, lesbian, feminist, mother, poet, warrior," who made lasting contributions in the fields of feminist theory, critical race studies, and queer theory, and is known for such works as “Coal”, “Black Unicorn”, and “Sister Outsider”?
5 Things / TDOV
Thursday was Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). Do you have any transgender people in your life?
As recently as 6 years ago, I only had one transgender friend, a former client. But I gradually got to know a bunch of really brilliant, thoughtful, and kind trans and non-binary people who are doing great things in the world. And I know them (and get to work with them, and get to love them) because they were brave enough to be visible, despite the many, many reasons (like violence and unjust laws) it would seem easier to hide.
5 things/ Abundance
This week, one of the attendees at my keynote mentioned how creating seats at tables for others (who have been historically marginalized) can be challenging because of the fear that making room for others means giving up one’s own power – and power is scarce.