5 Things / Always Assuming
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I originally started this newsletter with a story about a mistaken assumption I made but my editor told me, “It comes across to me like you are downplaying biases… and I think this also shows your privilege that you don't have to deal with biased situations as others do.”
I’m here for accountability. It’s my job to keep my team both diverse and psychologically safe where each person feels comfortable expressing constructive feedback directly to me. I’m always still learning – and yes, I still have mistaken assumptions.
A few weeks ago, I had a sales conversation with a medical professional who told me about a recent time in which an “older, white doctor from the South Suburbs” misgendered a transgender patient. My mind painted a picture of that doctor. I asked, “Did the patient file a complaint against him?” Turns out the doctor is a woman. I was embarrassed about that mistaken assumption in front of a potential client.
It’s remarkable. All the work I do, and my assumptions and biases still show up. My privilege still shows up. And if it shows up for me, I’m sure it shows up for you as well. But the more we talk about it, the more we can interrupt it.
Here are the good vibes I found this week:
New D.C. Strip Mall Is Dedicated To Black-Owned Businesses
There’s a new strip mall in D.C. specifically for Black-owned businesses. Angel Gregorio, the owner of a specialty spice shop, opened the Black and Forth strip mall a few weeks ago. She’s developing the lot with stores built inside renovated shipping containers. The first few stores are opening in the next week or two. She’s committed to building community and providing entrepreneurs access to affordable commercial space and guest pop-ups who can sell their products free of charge. This matters because it’s another way to narrow the racial wealth gap – Black Americans hold 4 percent of the wealth and make up 13 percent of the population.
President Biden Signs Cantwell-Capito Equal Pay Bill Into Law
I’m not sure how I missed this but a month ago, President Biden signed a new law ensuring that all U.S. athletes who participate in global competitions such as the World Cup, Olympics, and Paralympics, will receive equal pay, medical care, travel, and coverage of expenses, regardless of gender. The law applies to 50 different sports’ national governing bodies and requires oversight and reports on compliance with the legislation. This bill was originally presented in 2019 after the U.S. Women’s National Team fought for equal pay. This matters because equal pay is an equity issue, with white women earning $.82 on the dollar to white men (and BIPOC earning less). Equal pay for similar work is just the right thing to do.
North Carolina Updates License Plate Rules & the Roads Just Got a Whole Lot Gayer
LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. state of North Carolina can now more fully express themselves through their license plates. The state has removed 27 LGBTQ phrases from the “Do Not Issue” list for vanity plates. Now LGBTQ+ North Carolinians may choose to have SOOOGAY, GAYPRIDE, and a bunch of other similar tags. 239 phrases in all have now been removed from the list. This matters because the phrases are harmless, silly, and a fun way for folks to express themselves.
Chipotle Plans to Hire 15,000 Restaurant Workers as It Plans Double in Size to 7,000 Restaurants in the Coming Years
Chipotle is making good on its promise to develop and promote its employees. In fact, 90% of its 22,000 management hires in the past year came from within. BIPOC folks are disproportionately represented in lower-wage food service jobs, but this initiative matters because Chipotle is committed to upskilling and offering a well-paid management career path within the company.
You Can Now Add Top-Surgery Scars, Binders, and Hearing Aids to Your ‘Sims’ Characters
The video game The Sims 4 will now allow users to be more fully self-expressed through their characters. Users can now customize their Sim characters with medical wearables such as hearing aids and glucose monitors, and trans-affirming wearables including binders, shapewear, and top surgery scars. This matters so that people with disabilities and transgender people can feel more included in the Sims community and be able to better represent and express themselves in the game. That leads to more visibility, and ultimately more acceptance by others.
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