Blog Archives Page 2 of 2 - DEI Learning Hub

July – Ethnocentrism

US² Consulting on July 6, 2023

Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one’s own nationality, ethnic group or culture, often accompanied by a disregard or negative attitude towards other groups. It manifests in various forms, including xenophobia.

Ethnocentrism highlights the tendency of societies or individuals to devalue and exclude individuals based on their ethnic background, or more specifically their nationality, perpetuating negative stereotypes and assumptions. This can have profound effects on marginalized groups, leading to discrimination and a lack of understanding and acceptance. Ethnocentrism denies the valuable contributions and experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, creating barriers to cultural exchange, harmony, and social cohesion.

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism | What is It?

John, also known as FunSimpleLIFE, is an individual based in California who effectively utilizes his platform to educate and raise awareness. With their compelling slogan “LIFE, Idea, Fun, & Education,” John seeks to engage audiences, sharing valuable knowledge and promoting a sense of enjoyment and growth.

In this video, FunSimpleLIFE delves into the concept of ethnocentrism and its implications in today’s diverse world. With a keen focus on promoting understanding and inclusivity, they discuss how ethnocentrism can hinder cultural appreciation and create divisions among different groups. Through thoughtful analysis and real-life examples, FunSimpleLIFE emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the perspectives and contributions of all ethnicities. They encourage viewers to challenge their own biases and engage in meaningful dialogue to foster a more accepting and harmonious society.

“It is important to put yourself in the other person’s shoes to understand how the person sees and interacts with the world.”

– FunSimpleLIFE

Let us ask you this:

What are your typical initial/first thoughts when you meet someone who identifies as a nationality different than yourself? Do these first thoughts align with what you believe to be true about all people of that nationality?
What is your current experience with Ethnocentrism? Have you, or someone you know, ever had a lived experience with Ethnocentrism? If yes, what impact did it have on you?
Reflecting on the video, how does the message impact you? Your environment/ organization?

Today, it is crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the cultural diversity that exists within our global community. We must actively challenge ethnocentric attitudes and practices, promoting equity and inclusivity for people of all nationalities. By embracing diversity and recognizing the value of every individual, we can cultivate a more harmonious and accepting world. This involves dismantling prejudice, advocating for the rights and protections of marginalized communities, and creating inclusive spaces that affirm and support people from diverse backgrounds. Only through these efforts can we break down the barriers of ethnocentrism and foster a society that embraces and celebrates the contributions of all its members.

This is a reminder that every moment is an opportunity to continue learning and reflecting and that there is always room for growth in ourselves and in our communities.

June – Heterosexism

US² Consulting on June 12, 2023

Heterosexism is discrimination and prejudice based on sexuality, specifically favoring heterosexuality over other sexualities. Heterosexism highlights the tendency of societies or individuals to devalue and exclude individuals based on their sexuality, perpetuating negative stereotypes and assumptions. This can have profound effects on LGBQA+ individuals, leading to feelings of shame, self-doubt, and a lack of acceptance. Heterosexism denies the valuable contributions and experiences of LGBQA+ individuals, creating barriers to equity and social inclusion.

Notice that we are only using some of the letters from the moniker LGBTQIA+. This is because the letters include identifiers for both gender and sexuality. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, and Asexual are the terms aligning with sexuality while Transgender and Intersex align with gender identity. Queer aligns with both gender and sexuality – signifying a fluid orientation (for either gender or sexuality). It is important to differentiate between the letters of the moniker to signify that gender and sexuality are not the same identity nor are they predictive of one another.

Gender vs. Sexuality | Youmanity

Youmanity is an organization that focuses on celebrating diversity and promoting equality and inclusion. Founded with the aim of breaking down barriers and fostering understanding between individuals, Youmanity utilizes various mediums to spread its message, including its popular YouTube channel.

In this video, they delve into the complex and often misunderstood concepts of gender and sexuality. Through a combination of informative narration, engaging visuals, and personal stories, the video aims to educate viewers and challenge preconceived notions.

“Understanding yourself can take time, and it is perfectly all right to change your mind & to express yourself the way it feels right for you.” –Youmanity

Let us ask you this:

What are your typical initial/first thoughts when you meet someone who identifies as LGBTQ+? Do these first thoughts align with what you believe to be true about all people of different sexual orientations?
What is your current experience with Heterosexism? Have you, or someone you know, ever had a lived experience with Heterosexism? If yes, what impact did it have on you?
Reflecting on the video, how does the message impact you? Your environment/organization?

Today, it is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse experiences and contributions of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. We must actively challenge heterosexist attitudes and practices in our society, promoting equality and inclusivity for all sexual orientations. By embracing diversity and recognizing the value of every individual, we can foster a more just and accepting world. This involves breaking down prejudice, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and protections, and creating spaces that affirm and support all sexual orientations.

This is a reminder that every moment is an opportunity to continue learning and reflecting and that there is always room for growth in ourselves and in our communities.

May – Sanism

US² Consulting on May 1, 2023

Sanism is discrimination and prejudice based on mental health, including assumptions about mental illness and neurodivergence. It manifests in various forms such as stigma, discrimination, and exclusion. Sanism highlights the tendency of societies or individuals to disregard individuals’ valuable contributions and experiences based on their mental health status and to focus instead on negative stereotypes and assumptions. This can profoundly impact individuals with mental health challenges, leading to feelings of shame, isolation, and a lack of understanding.

Sanism: Dr. Jennifer Poole at TEDxRyersonU

Dr. Jennifer Poole is a disability studies professor at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, who has also done important work in the field of sanism. In her research, teaching, and advocacy, she challenges sanist assumptions and seeks to promote a more inclusive and equitable society for individuals with mental health challenges. Her work highlights the need to recognize and challenge sanist attitudes and practices in our society, and to promote a more compassionate and supportive approach to mental health.

“Let us elevate emotion, feeling, and connection with reason and logic. Why not? Anti-sanism is also a connecting thing, so whereas we’ve been taught that there’s us, the rational, and them, the irrational, I say I’ve never met an irrational person who is not also rational or a rational person who is not also irrational. False dichotomies, people. Cross the floor. Change the pronoun. Let’s call us WE.”

– Dr. Jennifer Poole

Let us ask you this:

What are your typical initial/first thoughts when you meet someone who is experiencing a different mental health situation than you? Do these first thoughts align with what you believe to be true about all people of different mental health statuses?
What is your current experience with Sanism? Have you, or someone you know, ever had a lived experience with Sanism? If yes, what impact did it have on you?
Reflecting on the video, how does the message impact you? Your environment/organization?

Today, it is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse experiences and contributions of individuals with mental health challenges, and challenge sanist attitudes and practices in our society. By opening our minds and hearts to the value of every individual, regardless of their mental health status, we can promote greater social justice and inclusivity for all. This means breaking down stigma, promoting access to resources and support, and advocating for policies that prioritize mental health and well-being.

This is a reminder that every moment is an opportunity to continue learning and reflecting and that there is always room for growth in ourselves and in our communities.

April – Ageism

US² Consulting on April 1, 2023

Ageism is discrimination and prejudice based on age, including generational assumptions, and it manifests in various forms such as stereotypes, assumptions, and exclusion. Ageism highlights the tendency of societies or individuals to disregard the valuable contributions and experiences of individuals based on their age and to focus instead on their perceived limitations and negative stereotypes.

Ageism in the USA: The paradox of prejudice against the elderly | Ashton Applewhite | Big Think

Ashton Applewhite is an author, activist, and speaker who has dedicated her career to raising awareness about ageism and promoting intergenerational cooperation. Her groundbreaking book, “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism,” challenges the negative stereotypes and prejudices surrounding aging and encourages individuals and societies to embrace the opportunities and benefits of an aging population. Through her work, Applewhite seeks to inspire people of all ages to embrace their full potential, promote social justice and equity, and build a more inclusive and age-friendly world.

“We are facing an unparalleled set of challenges. I’m thinking, in particular, about the health of the planet. Older people and younger people are going to have to collaborate to solve these problems. So, when you hear old versus young rhetoric, question it.”

– Ashton Applewhite

Let us ask you this:

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

Today, it is crucial to recognize that age should not be a factor in how we treat others. We must acknowledge and celebrate the diverse experiences and contributions of people of all ages, and challenge ageist attitudes and practices in our society. By opening our minds and hearts to the value of every individual, regardless of their age, we can promote greater social justice and inclusivity for all.

This is a reminder that every moment is an opportunity to continue learning and reflecting and that there is always room for growth in ourselves and in our communities.

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.