This week I’m re-reading a book by David Cameron Gikandi called A Happy Pocket Full of Money. It’s a great book about the mindset of abundance. I highly recommend it, it’s a fascinating read. It’s my second time through, and of course different things are jumping out at me this time. Here is … [Continue reading] Memory, Diversity and Inclusion
bias
Happy Thanksgiving?
If you live in Canada, this past weekend was Thanksgiving. I’m not going to write about why I don’t celebrate it. I’ve already done that twice. You can read those posts here. And here. Bias and its Impact This weekend I was thinking of two things – bias, and the impact of that. And it … [Continue reading] Happy Thanksgiving?
Happy (?) First Day of School…
I’m writing this amid the screaming of airplanes over my head from Toronto’s Airshow. Why we still “celebrate” this tradition when we have thousands of people living here from war-torn countries is beyond me. But I already wrote about that. I wanted to write about Serena Williams’ catsuit … [Continue reading] Happy (?) First Day of School…
The Systemic Nature of Bias
On Monday, Starbucks Canada closed their stores for Anti-Bias training, and I was on the radio again to speak about it; this time with Alan Neal at CBC Ottawa’s All in a Day. What strikes me the most about conversations regarding bias is that we tend to focus on behaviours and individuals. This … [Continue reading] The Systemic Nature of Bias
Starbucks and Anti-Bias Training
Yesterday Starbucks closed most of its stores in the USA to provide anti-bias training for their staff. This was part of their response to the incident at one of their locations in Philadelphia where the police were called and two Black men were arrested as they waited for their friend. Starbucks … [Continue reading] Starbucks and Anti-Bias Training
Judge Eidsvik’s comments about “dark people”
Judge Kristine Eidsvik told her class at the University of Calgary that she was uncomfortable walking into a room "full of big dark people." If you haven’t read the brief article in the Toronto Star, you can read it here. Sigh. Welcome to 2018. This type of comment isn’t surprising or … [Continue reading] Judge Eidsvik’s comments about “dark people”
But You’re White…
Last week I had another interesting experience that has rocked my world a little more. Quite frankly, I should know better. But every time I get to see more, to notice and challenge my assumptions, I grow. That is the point, after all. And because these challenges allow me to see myself and others … [Continue reading] But You’re White…
The Impact of Mental Illness on Who we See
This week I’m going to get a little personal, and tell you about an experience I had with seeing more. I have a brother who has a mental illness. It’s easy to judge him; to see the many ways he “doesn’t cut it” and the things he should be doing (the things that make sense to me, the things that I … [Continue reading] The Impact of Mental Illness on Who we See
How well do you know the people you work with?
A few weeks ago I took an Uber in Washington DC to get to the airport. As we drove, I struck up a conversation with the driver. I like to hear about people’s lives while I’m sitting in the back seat, and I always learn something new – plus I often get to challenge my own biases! Turns out my … [Continue reading] How well do you know the people you work with?
What Images Tell us About Bias and Inclusion
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