Have you heard the term microaggression?
If you would like to learn what it means please watch this 2-minute video with Naomi Sigg.
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A recent Ulliance article discusses that many LGBTQ people still do not feel comfortable being their ‘true self’ at work, despite the progress that has been made for broad public support for LGBTQ equality. Read the article here.
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Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding. Please watch the 18 minute TedTalk here.
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May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month and the Traverse Area District Library is inviting our community to help recognize the contributions, achievements, and identities of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) that have helped shape America’s development into a richly multicultural society.
Each event will have light refreshments featuring local AAPI food vendors, along with an engaging conversation on identity, culture, and experiences in Traverse City.
Monday, May 16, 2022: Vincent Who? (5:30—8:00pm) Register here
In 1982, at the height of anti-Japanese sentiments arising from massive layoffs in the auto industry, a Chinese-American named Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by two white autoworkers. Chin’s killers, however, got off with a $3,000 fine and 3 years probation, but no jail time. Outraged by this injustice, Asian Americans around the country united for the first time across ethnic and socioeconomic lines to form a pan-Asian identity and civil rights movement. Ultimately, Vincent Who? asks how far Asian Americans have come since the case and how far they have yet to go. For in spite of Vincent Chin’s monumental significance in both the Asian American experience and the civil rights history of America, the vast majority of people today (including most Asian Americans) have little or no knowledge of him.
Monday, May 23, 2022: Community Discussion Panel (5:30—8:00pm) Register here
Community Panel Discussion with:
along with moderators Judy Chu, NMC and Holly T. Bird, Northern Michigan E3 & Title Track
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Check out this article to learn how certain tech companies in Austin are making a difference by expanding their diversity and inclusion efforts beyond hiring quotas and PR-friendly statistics. Read the article here.
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March has been recognized as National Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan officially declared Proclamation 5613. The proclamation urged people to provide understanding, encouragement, and opportunities to help people with disabilities to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.
“Full potential” — these words should have new meaning for us now, as we embrace NMC’s new Vision, which states, “We aspire to be a global community where all learners unlock their full potential.” March gives us the opportunity to focus on this underrepresented population and to support the inclusion of these individuals.
Did you know, 26 percent (one in 4) of adults in the United States have some type of disability?
What can I do to support inclusion for those with disabilities?
Educate yourself on the topic of disabilities.
There are four major types of disabilities:
What are some examples of common disabilities?
How can you support inclusion in the office, classroom or online?
Begin with the basics. Ensure your information is accessible to everyone. The following courses are available through the Professional Development Institute catalog to assist you in making information accessible. Click the links below to read course summaries and to view these short (10 minute to 1 hour) training modules.
Everyone wants, and deserves, to enjoy life, feel productive and secure. This month we are taking extra steps to raise awareness and to support people with disabilities and to celebrate their contributions to our communities and society as a whole!
While there has been significant and positive change in the decades since, many challenges remain for this vulnerable population. We know this population can make a positive difference in our communities, if given the opportunity to unlock their potential.
Join us as we celebrate March as National Disability Awareness Month to embrace diversity and to create a sense of inclusion and belonging for this important group among us!
— Lori Hodek
References:
Check out this HuffPost article about a woman’s experiences as a Black woman who passes as white. Read the article here.
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A recent Employee Well-Being Report by Glint found that belonging jumped up four positions year over year to become the second most important driver of a great work culture.
Read this article from Wharton- University of Pennsylvania on How Companies are Creating a Sense of Belonging.
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Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Check out this one-page pictograph from the National Alliance on Mental Illness to learn about who is impacted.
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Diversity is being invited to the party.
Inclusion is being asked to dance.
— Verna Myers
Equity is having an accessibility ramp to the door.
Belonging is deciding the music for the party.
— Jeff Hutchinson
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Check out The Essential Power of Belonging, an inspiring TED Talk by author and journalist Caroline Clark (11.5 minutes).
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What is NMC doing to hire with diversity front of mind for staff and faculty? Check out this article from NMC Human Resources to learn more.
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Please read this article and reflect: What are you actively doing (or could you do) to advance these topics in and out of the workplace?
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Have you ever wondered what people think about inclusion at work?
Please take 3 ½ minutes of your time and watch this YouTube video!
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Ally is a term often used for an individual who stands up for a person or group that is targeted and discriminated against. However, it is important to know that being an ally is much more than just a label. It is more than just something you do or say, but an ongoing process to improve ourselves as socially responsible individuals. Please follow one or both of the links below and consider what steps you might take to help address the inequities faced by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and other marginalized communities.
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A New York Times Article on environment and discriminatory practices
Since When Have Trees Existed Only for Rich Americans highlights the extreme variation in tree coverage in large cities where the rich have 50% more greenery in their environment than the lower-income communities.
Stemming from discriminatory “redlining” policies of the past, the minimal greenery for impoverished American communities impacts everything from mental health to social connections to economic opportunities.
Please read the New York Times article in its entirety. (NMC students and employees can set up a free digital subscription to the New York Times using these instructions.)
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When considering racism, a common response is often “I don’t see color.” While the intent isn’t generally harmful, and some may argue it as a positive response, the impact can be quite negative and includes denying someone of their racial identity. Read the article(s) below and then reflect on the following questions:
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When They Call You A Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter memoir was a moving description of the childhood and early BLM history of Patrisse Khan-Cullors, a young queer woman. Most interesting to me was the experience of her impoverished childhood and how her education coupled with her resilience led her to be one of the founding women of Black Lives Matter.
When They Call You A Terrorist is available at the NMC Library.
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