If you live in Toronto, June is Pride month, and this weekend coming up is Pride weekend. Rainbows abound. It’s nice to see the outwards signs of support. It wasn’t always like this. And it isn’t like this everywhere. In fact you don’t have to drive far to experience that. And we are also … [Continue reading] Happy Pride – this is what inclusion looks like
Diversity & Inclusion
The Importance of Asking Questions
Last week I had an experience that reminded me how important it is to ask questions so we can see more. I was at Paramount Restaurant for dinner. Paramount is owned by a man who is Muslim and I have seen a prayer room in one location. I would not be surprised if that is standard: another example … [Continue reading] The Importance of Asking Questions
Voice of Women for Peace
Last weekend I accompanied my mother to the 2019 Awards Gala for Voice of Women for Peace, held at the 519 Community Centre in Toronto. Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) is a grassroots organization that next year will turn 60. That’s quite something for an NGO. And it is the oldest women’s … [Continue reading] Voice of Women for Peace
Exploring Resistance – Part 3
Over the last two weeks I’ve been exploring resistance – specifically to immigration and to the accommodations we make (and/or are asked to make) for individuals who are new to Canada and who are bringing different beliefs and customs with them. If you missed them, here are Part 1 and Part 2. The … [Continue reading] Exploring Resistance – Part 3
Exploring Resistance – Part 2
Last week I started this series with a common argument: that people who come to Canada should be prepared to become Canadian and “leave their ways at home”. If you missed it, you can read about the irony I highlighted last week here. This week I’m going to explore another phrase I heard recently: … [Continue reading] Exploring Resistance – Part 2
Exploring Resistance – Part 1
You’ve likely heard the argument, or perhaps made it yourself. It goes something like this: "When you come to Canada you should be prepared to be Canadian. Do whatever you want to do from 'your own culture' at home, but otherwise this is how we do things here." Often in this argument someone … [Continue reading] Exploring Resistance – Part 1
Cultural Competency vs Cultural Humility
Over the weekend I was considering cultural competency versus cultural humility. If you’ve been to one of my workshops, chances are you’ve heard me talk about the latter as a new (and more appropriate) point of reference than the former in terms of D&I work. Cultural Humility Cultural … [Continue reading] Cultural Competency vs Cultural Humility
What if we put the I first?
Diversity and inclusion. D&I. What if we put the I first? Imagine what might change? This week I’m thinking (again) about Board diversity. The lack of diversity and the need for diversity on Boards of Directors is something we have been hearing about for years. Last week I was at an … [Continue reading] What if we put the I first?
Black History Month…plus
A few weeks ago I attended a Diversity Committee meeting at my child’s elementary school. They were, not surprisingly, talking about Black History Month (and Asian Heritage month, also in February now) and what they could do. I’m going to share some of the highlights of that conversation because … [Continue reading] Black History Month…plus
Choices and Actions that move the D&I needle forward…
As I watch the snow fly, and it’s freezing outside, I feel like a little injection of hope is in order. So, in this blog post I’m sharing a few things I’ve come across in the last little while that I believe are good examples of some of the great choices and actions we can make to further our … [Continue reading] Choices and Actions that move the D&I needle forward…