14 Aug 2020

Diversity Lens - Issue 39

Diversity Lens - Issue 133 Diversity Lens - Issue 132 Diversity Lens - Issue 131

Aug 14

Diversity Lens - Issue 39

Diversity Lens

In a rush? In this week's issue we take a hard look at sexism within standup and isolation in the LGBTQ+ community. We celebrate a disabled woman's appetite for adventure and the black fathers fighting negative stereotypes. Take a glimpse into the future of accessible working and the continuing impact of the pandemic on gender equality at work. All this, and more, keep scrolling!

Latest News

Female comedians on extreme sexism in standup
Two women new to the stand up scene were shocked to find out about the harassment that was commonplace in the industry. For more established female comics, this is considered a “hazard of the job”. Experiences range from inappropriate advances from promoters to misogynistic heckling whilst on stage. The industry remains extremely male-dominated, and despite the women trying to break into the scene, they are not booked at the rate men are. “You do so much to play down your femaleness – but sexual assault firmly puts you back in your place”, Fern Brady says.
Read time: 10 minutes

'I had to hide myself again': young LGBT people on their life in UK lockdown
Lockdown has caused us to spend a long period of time with a limited amount of people. For many LGBTQ+ people, isolation has confined them into hostile and unsupportive environments which has provoked a deterioration to their mental health. On the other hand, some have stated that the lockdown has forced people to be more open about their sexuality due to the loss of access to LGBTQ+ venues and services. David Batty reviews some of the 200 respondents to the Guardian’s callout. Hear their stories. Click the photo below.

Read time: 5 minutes

Quadriplegic sailor to cross Atlantic using breath
"Natasha Lambert finds her freedom on the water". Born with cerebral palsy, Lambert is able to use an innovative system which enables her to control the boat through her breath and tongue. The control that Natasha is able to exercise in her sailing gives her a freedom that she lacks in other areas of her live. Natasha has sailed the English Channel and the Irish Sea; her next adventure looks to the Atlantic.

Watch time: 2 minutes

Diversity and Inclusion Insights

At this crossroads for gender equality, what can employers do for parents?
With more people returning to the office, and parents still stretched to capacity with childcare, mothers with young children continue to be disproportionately affected. This has far-reaching consequences for the future of women in senior positions and the gender pay gap. How do we prevent such a regression? Verena Hefti at People Management suggests recording data stringently, asking managers to communicate their expectations, and don’t leave men out of the childcare conversation, assuming it would fall to women.

Read time: 3 minutes

What Does The Future Look Like For People With Disabilities At Work?
The Future of Work podcast discusses predictions and hopes of anticipated changes in the workplace due to emerging technologies, and how this will impact people with disabilities. Host Jessica Miller-Merrell and guest Josh Christianson explore the rapid growth of AI models for the workplace and the potential positive power and pitfalls for improving accessibility. There is a feeling of excitement between the two about the future of digital accessibility, to redesign a world that everyone can participate in fully.

Listen time: 30 minutes

Events

A Guide to CV Writing and Virtual Interviews
Want to know more about virtual interviews and CV writing? Catch up on our webinar, in partnership with Nationwide. Our very own Naomi Hanson, Marketing Assistant of BAME Recruitment, and Nationwide's James Ward, share their tips and answer questions. Feel better prepared for your next interview process, click the photo below to watch the webinar.

Story of the Week

Patrick Hutchinson: Viral 'hero' launches new project
You may recognise Patrick from the viral photo that circulated from a racist counter-protest, where Patrick intervened to help out an injured white man, and former police officer. Since his photo went viral, Patrick Hutchinson, with three other like-minded men, has set up a new organisation called United to Change and Inspire (UTCAI). They hope to change the racist and demeaning stereotypes surrounding black men by challenging the criminal justice system; drawing attention to mental health in the black community; and mentoring black youth. The four men and fathers want to use their platform to fuel positive and lasting change. Click the still below to hear more on this initiative from Patrick himself.

“We want to make sure this platform we’ve been given can help to fuel positive change.”

Featured Video

India coronavirus: Helping deaf people get crucial Covid information
In India, very little digital content exists in sign language. This has become a problem during the pandemic when access to information is vital. To rectify this, Monica Punjabi and other volunteers at the Indian Sign Language Association are giving live interpretations of news updates in sign-language which is available to view on social media for those in need.

Inspirational Person of the Week

Roy Hackett: the civil rights hero who stood in front of a bus – and changed Britain for ever
Roy Hackett arrived in Bristol, UK in 1952. He says he was “born an activist”, calling out the rampant racism he witnessed. Hackett took on Bristol Omnibus Company which denied an interview to a black man purely due to the colour of his skin, he demanded justice and eventually saw it enacted. Hackett helped found the Commonwealth Coordinated Committee in Bristol.

Their most important campaign was the bus boycott. Hackett, alongside Owen Henry, Audley Evans, Prince Brown and Paul Stephenson, led the boycott against the buses, garnering national attention. The bus company eventually caved, and lifted their ‘colour bar’ on hiring. The boycott was the first of its kind and paved the way for future campaigns.
Whilst Hackett is now retired from his frontline activism, his legacy in Bristol remains strong.

Read time: 10 minutes