US² Consulting, Author at DEI Learning Hub Page 2 of 2

March – Sexism

US² Consulting on March 1, 2023

Sexism is the discrimination, prejudice, or stereotyping on the basis of perceived, or actual, binary gender (male/female) and societal stereotypes surrounding the binary gender system.  The beliefs around the fundamental nature of men and women and the roles they ‘should’ perform in society are linked to sexism.  Gender stereotypes, which are the result of sexist assumptions about women and men, can place one gender above the other. 

Want Gender Equality? Let’s Get Creative | Kyl Myers | TEDxSaltLakeCity

Kyl Myers, a sociologist who specializes in gender and sexual & reproductive health, talks about how gender inequality starts in utero and how children are taught the social and cultural norms that are ‘expected’ of them within our society based on their anatomy – from birth! Kyl shares the idea that if we want adulthood gender equality, we have to change the way we treat children. Three points are highlighted in this talk. First, there are real and harmful gender disparities experienced by adults; second, these disparities are rooted in childhood; and third, we have the power to do something about it.

“What if, instead of treating boys and girls dramatically different, we tried to instill in them well-rounded, positive traits like kindness, a sense of adventure, compassion, critical thinking, and comedic timing. Most of us want a world without gender inequality, but it’s going to take us all being honest with ourselves about how we reinforce it. If equality is what we want, we have to create it.”

-Kyl Myers

Let us ask you this:

What are your typical initial/first thoughts when you encounter someone of a different gender? Do these first thoughts align with what you believe to be true about all people?
What is your current experience with sexism? Have you, or someone you know, ever had a lived experience with sexism? If yes, what impact did it have on you?
Reflecting on the TEDx Talk, how does the message impact you? Your environment/organization?

This month, we want to address the pervasive issue of sexism and its impact on individuals and society as a whole. It is important to recognize that gender does not define a person’s capabilities or attitudes, and it cannot be a determining factor in the opportunities that are offered to them. We need to stand up against sexism and take action to eliminate it from our communities, workplaces, and institutions.

Only by working together can we create a society that values and respects all people, regardless of their gender or any other aspect of their identity.

Are you concerned about “saying the wrong thing” with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion in professional and/or personal settings? Are you struggling to navigate challenging situations that require sensitivity and awareness?

February – Racism

US² Consulting on February 1, 2023

Racism is the discrimination, prejudice, or stereotyping on the basis of perceived, or actual, race and/or racial identity. Racism can often lead to the belief that race is the number one determining factor of human traits and capacities and that racial differences create an intrinsic superiority of a particular race.

50 years of racism—why silence isn’t the answer | James A. White Sr. | TEDxColumbus

James A. White Sr., a coach, mentor, and trainer who is dedicated to sharing his experiences, insight, enthusiasm, and passion to impart his message with all people, talks about his experience as an 18-year-old person of color in the 1960s joining the Air Force and relocating his family to Mountain Home, Idaho. He reflects on the past 53 years from his first experience with discrimination and the struggle of being rejected out of apartments, motels, and trailer parks. He then connects these experiences with his current struggle to provide counsel to his grandsons facing the same bias in the 21st century.

This talk with TedxColumbus was the first time he’s shared this provocative and heartbreaking story in public after his decision to be silent no more.

“I want to appeal to Americans. I want to appeal to their humanity, to their dignity, to their civic pride, and ownership; to be able to not react to these heinous crimes in an aversive manner. But instead, to elevate your level of societal knowledge, your level of societal awareness and societal consciousness, to then collectively come together to make sure that we speak out against and we challenge any kind of insanity that makes it okay to kill unarmed people, regardless of their ethnicity, regardless of their race, regardless of their diversity makeup.

We have to challenge that. It doesn’t make any sense. And the only way I think we can do that is through a collective.”

-James A. White Sr.

Let us ask you this:

What are your typical initial/first thoughts when you see someone who has a different race or ethnicity from you? Do these first thoughts align with what you believe to be true about all people?
What is your current experience with racism? Have you, or someone you know, ever had a lived experience with racism? If yes, what impact did it have on you?
Reflecting on the TEDx Talk, how does the message impact you? Your environment/organization?

This month, we would like to remind you that race and/or ethnicity does not define a person’s capabilities and attitudes; thus, it should not affect the opportunities that are being offered to them by society. Racism is a plague that continuously affects our communities, and we need to stand up and take action against it.

Every moment is an opportunity to continue learning and reflecting. There is always room for growth in ourselves, and in our communities.

January – Classism

US² Consulting on January 1, 2023

Classism is discrimination, prejudice, or stereotyping on the basis of perceived, or actual, socioeconomic status or class. Classism is the systemic oppression of people from lower socio-economic statuses to advantage and strengthen the people from upper socio-economic statuses. It is the systemic designation of characteristics of value and capability based on social class.

How America’s public schools keep kids in poverty | Kandice Sumner

Kandice Sumner, an educator, questions why a good education should be exclusive to rich kids. She talks about her own experience as a child of color from a low-income family in the school system and how our background deeply affects our education. Kandice also talks about the disparity she sees every day in her classroom in Boston, how schools in low-income neighborhoods across the US, specifically in communities of color, lack resources that are standard at wealthier schools—things like musical instruments, new books, healthy school lunches and soccer fields—and this has a real impact on the potential of students. Ultimately, all of us are impacted by the educational system – we hire people from our schools, we have family members in our schools, and all of us are a product of our schools…

“School funding should not be decided by property taxes, or some funky economic equation where rich kids continue to benefit from state aid, while poor kids are continuously having food and resources taken from their mouths.

Governors, senators, mayors, city council members—if we’re going to call public education public education, then it should be just that. Otherwise, we should call it what it really is: poverty insurance.”

-Kandice Sumner

Let us ask you this:

What are your typical initial/first thoughts when you see someone who has a different socioeconomic status or class from you? Do these first thoughts align with what you believe to be true about all people?
What is your current experience with classism? Have you, or someone you know, ever had a lived experience with classism? If yes, what impact did it have on you?
Reflecting on the TED Talk, how does the message impact you? Your environment/organization?

This month, we would like to remind you that class/socio-economic status intersects with multiple identities and that this can divide us if we don’t reflect upon our own personal relationship with money.

Every moment is an opportunity to continue learning and reflecting. There is always room for growth in ourselves, and in our communities.