5 Things / Finding Joy
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Welcome to the New Year! I hope you’ve had a restful couple of weeks. I spent New Year’s Eve at a fun family wedding. The groom was my cousin’s son (technically my first cousin, once removed) and it was quite a young crowd. Given the homogeneity of my very white and Irish family, I was initially surprised by how diverse the wedding guests were.
Then I realized: why was I surprised?
Diversity is a fact. It’s not going anywhere. It’s increasing. And I think it’s pretty damn cool.
I hope the new year brings you exposure to lots of diversity. I hope you have some fantastic conversations with new people and maybe make some new friends. I hope you have fun celebrating the diversity of some new cultures this year.
There was a lot of sorrow last year. I’m hopeful there will be a lot more joy this year…I’ll be here bringing the good vibes.
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
Southwest praised for 'customer of size' policy that gives larger passengers priority
Southwest Airlines' policy of providing free extra seats for passengers of size is a significant stride in accommodating the diverse needs of air travelers. It gets social media praise as a result. Southwest offers a dignified solution by allowing plus-sized passengers to request an additional seat at no extra charge, either in advance or at the departure gate. This policy not only ensures comfort for passengers of size but also reflects a broader commitment to accessibility and non-discrimination. This approach, unique in the industry, is designed to ensure comfort and safety for everyone on board.
Inclusive customer service at Sephora
On LinkedIn, Nate Shalev wrote about how a recent trip to Sephora highlighted a remarkable shift towards ordinary trans inclusion. Nate’s experience at Sephora wasn’t special: they received a personalized skincare recommendation, AI matching to skin tone, and a team member using the correct pronouns (they/them). In other words, inclusion is embedded into the customer experience the way it should be. Sephora has done a great job focusing on education and ongoing LGBTQ & trans inclusion conversations. (h/t to Karen Catlin)
Formerly incarcerated people get instant voting access in Michigan
A recently signed law in the U.S. state of Michigan expands automatic voter registration to incarcerated individuals upon release. Michigan already allows ex-felons to regain voting rights and the new law codifies the existing practice of pre-registering released inmates. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance voter access, with advocates emphasizing educating inmates about their voting rights as a vital step in reintegration into society. This is so important because BIPOC are disproportionately incarcerated (due to systemic racism), and this is one small step to enfranchise historically disenfranchised populations.
Irish dancing community shows trans support
The Irish dancing community rallies behind trans competitors, expressing unwavering support after a trans teen's victory initially faced backlash. The teen’s win ultimately led to a ton of support on social media, plus a Change.org petition emphasizing the right of trans dancers to compete based on gender identity, dismissing claims of biological advantage. The global governing body also affirmed its support and trans-inclusive policies. All of this showcases solidarity within the Irish dance community and affirms the importance of trans inclusion. (As a first generation Irish-American, I love this story.)
Aviva CEO to sign-off on all “non-diverse hires”
Aviva, a major UK insurance company is enforcing a policy requiring CEO approval for senior white male hires. The goal is to combat sexism in the financial industry and ensure a fair hiring process, focusing on the 5% of senior roles at Aviva. CEO Amanda Blanc’s goal is to increase women in leadership roles and eliminate harassment, “Not because I don’t trust my team but [because] I want to make sure that the process followed for that recruitment has been diverse, has been properly done, and is not just a phone call to a mate saying, ‘Would you like a job? Pop up and we’ll fix it up for you.’”
This Week’s Call to Action:
Read this important article in Forbes by Janice Gassam Asare: Claudine Gay Resigns From Harvard: Why Black Excellence Is Never Enough.