An open hand…

Diversity is simply who we are. That means all of us as a population who occupy our wonderful planet. A fundamental shift in our conscience shouldn’t be necessary as it’s a way of life – after all “we are family”. So, it’s about how we treat each other and expect to be treated. To embrace Diversity is an act of humanity and dignity, which has rarely been afforded freely. Any act against this fundamental right, apathy or indifference may be viewed as a crime against humanity and basic human rights.

There is no requirement for charity, just empathy which cost nothing at all. Empathy is the strongest weapon in the battle against evil inequity verses real opportunity. We are all responsible for levelling the playing field and building a kinder more equitable future for our children and generations to come.

Together we can make history. Could 2024-25 be the generation that broke the mould, tore down tradition and gave everyone equal opportunity to be the very best they could be? This is our moment, this is our time … and it costs just a moment of kindness!

In one word – absolutely! But bear in mind that this is no attack against tradition itself as there are many positive elements in its favour.

We would hope that any traditional organisation would not purposely restrict opportunities. However, Modern Diversity’s natural response is to re-examine and highlight that particular version of tradition.

In a modern society the word ‘tradition’ should be a philosophical one relating to ones quality of service or product and not necessarily the values within an organisation. To many, ‘tradition’ still carries with it the sense of elitism, being out of touch, discriminatory, inflexibility, opposed to change, stuck in the mud, or just plainly – OLD.

However, best advice whenever using the word ‘tradition’ should be with care on any marketing, sales or recruitment campaign as it could suggest something a little more sinister and divisive … READ MORE >

By law yes, but in reality quite the opposite.

If you take racial discrimination and place it side by side with sexual discrimination, then one barely resembles the other. In fact, to hate someone often means to be overwhelmed with enmity when you are in their presence; leading one to disassociate themselves, culminating in the absence of diversity in one’s personal, social and professional circle of associates.

Lazy hyperboles from advertisers and marketers have changed ‘hatred’s’ definition over time. Although an abhorrent act, sexual discrimination is more bias than hatred. Many of us still believe in the tradition of protecting women and children first and feed into the notion where men should be brave and strong providers etc.

Most male traditionalists have wives, daughters, sisters and aunts or female associates who they love dearly, and females have their own counterparts. So it’s difficult to suggest gender hatred here, just long held, out-dated and old fashioned beliefs.

It’s better explained as a struggle with tradition or a lack of intelligent modern thinking. And although the outcomes result in the preclusion of both parties racial and sexual, in terms of credible opportunity, only one can reasonably and comfortably be deemed as hate.

Unconscious bias relates to a way of thinking or the process of thought that suggests implicit biased thoughts or beliefs were pre-installed over a period of history, causing the bias to be recalled and present itself naturally or unconsciously.

We are generally led to believe unconscious biases are implicit stereotypes held around certain social and identity groups of people, which take form outside one’s own conscious awareness. Apparently, these biases stem from our natural urge to categorise.

Unconscious bias often relates to what one has done in history and not what is done in the future, although pre-prepared no one can be held to account. However, once the existence of unconscious bias has been realised, any action thereafter ceases to be unconscious and can only be observed as conscious, explicit and deliberate.

Wherever there’s a need to place people in categories or boxes, lazy assumptions are made. And, whenever these assumptions are challenged the natural urge is to defend those beliefs by citing conventional stereotypes as evidence or justification for that belief. Freedom from those assumptions require an open-mindedness which also can in fact prove highly beneficial in health by promoting a sense of wellbeing, in wisdom through education and in overall spiritual growth. Whereas mental illness can often be a result of unconsciously close-minded ignorance which inevitably promotes fear, paranoia and a general unease within the body and mind.

I’m sure we all agree that racial discrimination is an act of violence against any child black or white or other. It’s an attack on emotion, spirit, mental health, esteem and confidence required to function, as one would normally expect on a daily basis. Its demeaning and profoundly damaging affects often inhibit one’s ability to grow and mature in order to gain reasonable educational skills, and curtails any future optimism.

Racial discrimination is emotional terrorism and must never be accepted or ignored.

NOPE!

To be fair UBT is next to useless as a viable concept as we generally live in a ‘tick box’ society seamlessly moving from one examination to another. Once all UBT boxes are checked life moves on as normal. No real knowledge or skill has been acquired, nothing is understood, nothing is agreed and nothing is implemented.

Researching UBT has left us at Modern Diversity confounded and horrified at the levels of complexity afforded to the simple subject of racial bias. And still, there’s a severe lack of strategy and clear identity. There’s very little understanding of the language and the ways in which to communicate ONE clear message to potential stakeholders, media, businesses and to the public.

There are so many worthy causes available for public consideration but all run the risk of tripping over each other and usually succeed in doing so. One of the many issues we mostly encounter is from those who attempt to ‘muddy the waters’ and make it almost impossible to gain traction on an individual basis. In other words, real issues aren’t necessarily being ignored but rather ‘lumped in’ with the next fashionable item on the agenda without distinction, causing confusion, which invariably leads to apathy.

Racism is a psychological malfunction (a mental illness) based on a miscalculated assumption of a stereotype.

The face of racism continues to evolve and usually perpetrated by racists who look to avoid detection.

Contrary to popular belief, people who say racist things shouldn’t necessarily be labelled a racist as their language is usually and quite often in the process of transformation or maturity. They require help and direction, but attacking them could prove counter-intuitive just enough to create a racist.

Real racists are mean-spirited and dangerously stealthy clandestine characters secreting poisonous hate wherever they lurk. There is no one type of racist; they can range from the CEO in a boardroom, to your local politician or even your neighbour in the street. They are often found using a certain powerfully provocative and divisive language to garner support for their assumed stereotypical points of view.

To see whether you are indeed a racist or not, here are the tell-tale signs for you to look out for:

Based on your assumptions you will measure the precise distance you want to place between you and the people you fear. Should that distance be breached you are overcome with a spontaneous and often overwhelming feeling of anger, hate or anxiety. You feel threatened and have the desire to lash out, defend your space, or retreat from that space. Many females find themselves weirdly averting eye contact to avoid any opportunity of direct communication. Is this you?

If racism or being racist concerns you, just remember that you weren’t born that way. And if you genuinely have concerns whether you are racist, it’s okay you’re not. Just look for the signs and do the opposite; extend a kind hand of friendship and say hello to someone new.

Although Modern Diversity isn’t a charity, it is a non-profit entity that requires assistance to continue its work and help build a fairer equitable future for all.

If you believe yourself to be a member of the smartest generation in human history, yet feel that there’s more you can do in your home, social life, business, we’d be happy to talk to you.

If you’re able to fully appreciate, empathise, and freely communicate with other people of all colours, we’d like to talk to you.

If you’d like to join us or work with us and help us grow our reach, volunteer any creative, marketing or technical skills etc., please get in touch.

If you’d like to invest or simply donate to help us make a difference, your generosity would be most welcomed and appreciated.

If you’d like to register your business for a free Diversity consultation, book your call today!