As a person of mixed race (Chinese and Mexican), living in the midwest, in a city where the last census showed a 97.3% caucasian population, I have worked for inclusion in the workplace and beyond for awhile now.
At first, I suffered in silence while co-workers made racist remarks, shocked and honestly not knowing how to respond. About 5 years ago, the company that I work for adopted a diversity initiative that was announced in an all employee meeting. I was so happy to discover that I worked for a company that would no longer stand for disrespectful comments about any of it's workers. I became the Chairperson for the local diversity council, and worked countless hours to try to educate my coworkers about other cultures, and to show other facets of diversity, so that the message of inclusion could be more easily understood by all. I also helped organize a celebration of Hispanic culture in the community for a few years, and then I became the Chair of the Kearney Chamber of Commerce Diversity Task Force. I've helped bring the message of inclusion to kids at Kidz Explore, a children's festival, and an assembly of Mariachi singers to Horizon Middle School students. I've helped to bring Inclusion Public Service Announcements to the local radio station.
As a mother of children who have suffered being excluded, and not understanding why - as the mother of a new little girl who looks different from even her siblings - the message of inclusion is one that is close to my heart.
I have heard for many years Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech, sadly believing that I would never live to see the day when Americans truly would judge a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.
But tonight, 45 years to the day after that famous speech was given, a black man accepted the nomination of a major party for President of the United States.
I am moved beyond reason. No matter your party affiliation, if you are a proponent of inclusion -
this is a historic day.
Blessings all,
Lisa
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1 comment:
Congratulations Lisa! It looks like your hard work paid off. I didn't realize you were involved in so many different culture activities. That's great that you are out there trying to get the message out. I check this thing everyday to see if it's updated. Otherwise I'd have no idea what's going on, since I don't hardly see you guys anymore. Tell everyone hi for me.
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