Last week I visited a Health Care Practitioner. As I sat in the in the waiting room I watched the TV screen display with a slide rotation of all of the practitioners who work in the office and offer complimentary care. While there is a range of offerings and small bios underneath so one can … [Continue reading] What Images Tell us About Bias and Inclusion
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Proud Boys – when private views make it into the public domain
I'm watching an interview with a leader from the Maritime Forces Atlantic (the Navy) about the Proud Boys "interruption" of an Indigenous ceremony in Nova Scotia on Canada Day. You can google the footage of the disturbance and the troubling comments made by the Proud Boys. I'm not going to link … [Continue reading] Proud Boys – when private views make it into the public domain
Recognize Difference – week 5 of ‘How to be an Ally’
Welcome to week 5 of "How to be an Ally." We’re on the last letter of the ROAR acronym this week: the R. If you missed the others, they are R – Recognize Privilege O – Openness to Learning A - Action The last R is for Recognize Difference. This is possibly the most important of … [Continue reading] Recognize Difference – week 5 of ‘How to be an Ally’
Action – Part 4 of “How to be an Ally”
Welcome to week 4. Happy Eid to all of our Muslim brothers and sisters! Ramadan ended last night, and today is the first day of Eid Al-Fitr, which means ‘festival to break the fast’. It will continue until Tuesday, June 27th at sundown. And if you’re (also) part of the LGBTQ community in … [Continue reading] Action – Part 4 of “How to be an Ally”
Being Open to Learning – Part 3 of ‘How to be an Ally’
Welcome to week 3! If you missed the last two weeks, you can find them here: - A general overview, but with a focus on Ramadan - The first R in ROAR – Recognize Privilege O = Openness to Learning The whole point of the O is that as allies, there will be many things that you don’t know, don’t … [Continue reading] Being Open to Learning – Part 3 of ‘How to be an Ally’
Recognize Privilege – Part 2 of “How to be an Ally”
Welcome to week 2! An ally is someone who supports someone else. In the context of social justice, allies support people and communities who are marginalized, in their struggle for equity, human rights, justice, etc. An ally is not a member of the group they are allied with. Last week, we … [Continue reading] Recognize Privilege – Part 2 of “How to be an Ally”
What we can all Learn From the Toronto Police Video Discussion about a Woman with Down Syndrome
Every once in a while we get to pull the curtain back and see what people are really thinking and saying about others - sometimes even about us. And when it is less than flattering, we are always shocked, hurt, appalled. And we have every right to be, because ideally people (especially those in … [Continue reading] What we can all Learn From the Toronto Police Video Discussion about a Woman with Down Syndrome
What Does Ramadan Have to do With Work? – Part 1 of ‘How to be an Ally’
This month is Pride month in many places, so I’m doing a series on Allyship using the acronym ROAR (recognize privilege, open to learning, act, recognize diversity). Because LBGTQ-identified people come from all walks of life, I’m starting the series by talking about Ramadan – and how you can be … [Continue reading] What Does Ramadan Have to do With Work? – Part 1 of ‘How to be an Ally’
Who Gets to Complain, Why, and Who Is Heard?
Complaining is something that only those with privilege are really afforded. Did you know that? It’s true. So, who is heard? Complaining is something that only those with privilege are really afforded. Did you know that? It’s true. And to highlight this, I’m going to share two examples from … [Continue reading] Who Gets to Complain, Why, and Who Is Heard?
The impact of the words we use – Islamic? Islamist?
Today’s Toronto Star newspaper article by Shree Paradkar bears blogging about. It’s a perfect example of how bias works, and how language helps to fuel both unconscious bias, and hatred. The columnist - Shree Paradkar - makes many excellent points. Here are a few of my favourites. You can … [Continue reading] The impact of the words we use – Islamic? Islamist?