Use the language preferred by individual communities. For example, “autistic people” instead of “people with autism” is the preferred language of the Autistic community. However, everyone has their own language preferences and beliefs. If an autistic person wants to be referred to as a “person who has autism,” use this language to refer to them. Respect other people’s chosen pronouns, names, or identities. If someone prefers to be called “he,” “she,” “they,” or something else, respect their wishes instead of trying to correct them. Challenge yourself and your friends to have lunch or start conversations with people of ethnicities, faiths, social groups, and identities other than your own.
You could write in a letter or email, “I’ve noticed fellow students, faculty, and staff have good intentions, but don’t know how to foster an inclusive atmosphere. Our community would benefit from a mentor, and I’d like to seek the administration’s support in hosting educational programs. ” Reaching out to those in power can be intimidating. However, remember that principals are responsible for your well-being, bosses need to be stewards of companies, and your elected officials work for you.
For example, you might notice that sidewalks in your town are poorly maintained, which poses a hazard for people who may have mobility issues. Contact your city councilor, write to your local newspaper, or reach out to your local public works department to correct the issue. You might run a public fundraiser to donate books or clothing for children in need. You can also ask volunteers to offer free tutoring for these children. In areas with unequal access to healthcare, you could ask local doctors if they would be willing to offer their services for free for people with no health insurance.
For instance, if someone makes an offensive comment, you might say, “I understand you have a right to your opinion, but try to see things from a broader perspective. That joke might seem funny to you, but you wouldn’t be laughing if you were on the receiving end. ”
International food festival International film screenings Pride parade Lectures and speeches from civil rights leaders Ceremonies and celebrations for different religious traditions Documentary screenings on important social issues Fundraisers for non-profits supporting diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives
Invite community members to sign up for speaking slots at the beginning of the event. Give each person a certain amount of time to make sure that every person has a chance to be heard. Be sure to invite local government figures and policy makers at the event, such as the mayor, town council members, school board members, and chief of police. If your local government will not host an open town hall, hold your own. Book a room in a local library, community center, or school to host the event. Promote it on social media, by going to door to door, and by posting fliers at nearby businesses.
You could also host a voter registration drive and inform your peers about the importance of diversity among elected officials. Collaborate with other charities and brands to create more awareness.
Use hashtags and keywords that help connect your thoughts to the wider discussion. For example, you might use hashtags like #equalpay, #achievementgap, and #whyIstayed or #whyIleft.
Your club could host speaking events and other educational programming, collect donations, and campaign for specific issues related to diversity, equality, and inclusion. For instance, you could invite a local elected official to offer her take on the importance of women in politics.
Cultural fair: celebrate holidays from different religions, hold a food festival with cuisine around the world, or showcase various forms of dance. Open mic nights: invite students from a wide range of backgrounds to tell stories, sing songs, or recite poetry about their unique experiences. Public lectures: ask scholars, civil rights leaders, and community leaders to talk about how others can help promote this cause. Networking events for marginalized groups: ask business leaders and teachers to meet with students. Students can workshop their resumes or find internships through this network.
Ask if you can volunteer at an event or help out in the office. At colleges and universities, some offices may even have work study gigs for students.
HAVEN Training for helping people who have experienced sexual assault. Safe Zone Training for supporting LGBT students. Green Zone Training to help military veterans transition into academic life. Disability awareness training to provide helpful assistance and access for students with disabilities.
Get help coordinating safe spaces from your school’s diversity and inclusion office, women’s center, counseling office, or from teachers who share your ideals. Work with faculty and staff to find and book a suitable location, develop warm-up exercises or ice breakers, and advertise meetings. You could book a room through your school’s administration and invite students facing specific challenges to talk about their experiences. It’s helpful to have a teacher or counselor to moderate the discussion. Remind allies that the safe space is a place for others to express their challenges. They may not be looking for advice or sympathy. Ask allies to listen, not to talk.
Your HR department can run this themselves by using exercises, courses, and pamphlets found on the internet. They can also hire an outside consulting firm to run the session for them. If your business is small or doesn’t have an HR department, talk to your boss. Emphasize how cultural training can strengthen your organization as a whole.
Write job advertisements with broad qualifications to allow a more diverse set of applicants. Be conscious of how your language might imply gender. Avoid gendered language in your job advertisement. Instead of using “he” or “she,” say “the applicant” or “they. ” Advertise your diversity and inclusion policies, including any non-discrimination rules, in your job advertisement. Emphasize that you do not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or disability. Make sure that the interviewers represent a diverse sample from your workplace. Ask broad, open-ended questions. Avoid questions about the applicant’s personal life, such as their religion, marital or relationship status, or children.
Establish a no discrimination policy in the workplace. Remind employees that no one can be discriminated against for their race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Post this policy in a public place, such as a break room or near the printers. Make sure that all employees know how to report discrimination in the workplace. Employees who violate the policy may require sensitivity training or disciplinary action. If your company provides health insurance, make sure that it includes policies for a wide range of conditions. Inclusive policies are ones that offer birth control, STD testing, and a wide range of medical conditions.
Benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace include higher productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and happier customers. You might say, “I think it is important to have more diversity in our office. It’s been shown that diverse workplaces are more efficient, and their employees are happier. "
