During this month of April, we invite staff to Celebrate Diversity in our local community and throughout the world by recognizing the cultural diversity of the people around us.
Celebrating our differences, as well as our common interests, helps unite and educate us. Celebrating diversity helps us to better understand other’s perspectives and to broaden our own.
Here are a few ways that you can Celebrate Diversity:
Watch a documentary: These are an excellent source of information and can help with our personal education and professional development. There are several documentaries available for streaming that focus on anti-black racism, Indigenous inclusivity and LGBTQ2+ inclusion.
Learn another language: You can often find a local group online through social meeting sites like meetup.com and language exchange meetings taking place in your area.
Visit the Google Art and Culture site where you can explore art around the world: You can learn more about Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits; visit Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro; or take a tour of the National Gallery in London, England.
Consider taking the Project Implicit Test which will help you identify your own implicit bias: We all have an unconscious and conscious bias. Learning where these biases lie will allow you to better navigate the world and open yourself up to new understandings and new relationships with those around you.
Spend time talking with loved ones about diversity: While having a discussion around diversity can be uncomfortable, do not be afraid to have these conversations. They can help alleviate social stigmas and provide an opportunity to understand your family and friends better.