5 Things / Still Learning
This week I had a bunch of planning meetings in anticipation of upcoming keynotes. About 80% of the time, the client advises: “As a heads up, our employees are generally pretty conservative.” I’ve heard this from clients in many industries: financial services, energy, manufacturing, commercial real estate, and more.
Still, they’re willing to learn – and admit what they don’t know. Recently I had an attendee from a “conservative” industry send me a private email hours after the keynote sharing a recent experience being called out on their own microaggressions towards others, and looking for some additional resources to be better informed in the future.
I appreciated this email so much because it required some vulnerability for that person to reach out to me, share an embarrassing experience, and ask for resources. It also showed humility and curiosity, both of which are essential to the work of DEI.
I appreciate that you take the time to read 5 Things – because we’re all still learning. The discipline of writing 5 Things every week is part of my own learning journey.
Here are the good vibes I found this week:
The NFL’s First Out Trans Cheerleader Readies for Her Carolina Panthers Debut
Justine Lindsay is the first NFL cheerleader who happens to be transgender. She’ll make her debut with the Carolina Panthers this coming season. She’ll be based in a conservative U.S. state and working in a very machismo league – so this story matters because her visibility can be an inspiration for young transgender people.
Ms. Marvel Is the First Muslim Superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The new Ms. Marvel television show stars Kamala Khan, a Pakistani Muslim teen, playing the title character, who also happens to be Pakistani and Muslim. Ms. Marvel is the first Muslim superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This matters because the visibility can break down the stereotypes and biases people have about Muslim folks.
Ben & Jerry’s Launches Multi-State Billboard Campaign to Support Trans Youth
Ben & Jerry’s has new billboards across a number of states that support transgender youth and trans rights. The billboards are in states where transgender rights are under attack. This matters because it sends a message to young LGBTQ+ that they have value. Side note: a new Pew study shows that 5% of young adults are transgender or non-binary.
Biden Administration to Pay White House Interns for the First Time in Recent History
U.S. White House interns will now be paid. It’s shocking to me that this opportunity was previously unpaid. This matters because it’s often unaffordable for young BIPOC to intern/work for free – and that means that white people are more likely to be interns, and then more likely to get jobs in government, perpetuating a lack of diversity.
220 CEOs Demand Immediate Action From the Senate to Reduce Gun Violence
Levi Strauss is leading the corporate fight against gun violence. They led the charge of more than 200 business leaders from every state who wrote an open letter to the U.S. Senate calling for stronger gun control laws. This matters because it will hopefully put pressure on Senators to make it harder to buy guns and hopefully reduce the absurd number of mass shootings in the U.S.
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