04 Sep 2020

Diversity Lens - Issue 42

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

Sep 4

Diversity Lens - Issue 42

Diversity Lens

In a rush? This week we hear from the LGBTQ+ community in Beirut, and the disabled and carers community in the UK. We applaud the sports players stepping up: in Osaka's continued activism and Rashford's determination to tackle child poverty. The success of female leaders is confirmed, and a new Paralympic documentary is not to be missed. More stories below!

Latest News

The LGBTQ+ Community in Beirut Needs Your Support. Here’s How to Help
Them Magazine speaks to Dayna Asha, a local organiser in Lebanon, offering aid to Beirut's most marginalised populations. The queer community is among the hardest hit groups of society, falling through the cracks of government support. Dayna Asha responded to this need and transformed her collaborative art space into a "haven" for groups suffering the most - "queer folks, single mothers, and refugees". Asha discusses the impact of the Beirut blast on the already suffering LGBTQ+ community and how we can help, from all over the world.

Read time: 7 minutes

I reached crisis point — our family had no support ... Parents reveal challenges of caring for disabled children during lockdown
Four parents of disabled children tell their firsthand accounts of how life has changed for them since the Covid crisis, with school closures and the withdrawal of essential support systems. Routines, which can be of the utmost importance for these families, were upturned. Despite schools being advised to stay open for vulnerable children, many in fact did not, leaving families isolated, often shielding. Shocking statistics show that 76 per cent of families had all support withdrawn in the first months of lockdown and 80 per cent of parents reported their mental health had deteriorated.

Read time: 9 minutes

Naomi Osaka shines a light on racial injustice with face masks at US Open
Naomi Osaka is using the visibility of her platform in tennis to raise awareness of events close to her heart. In the US open last week, she wore a face mask featuring the name Breonna Taylor, a black woman shot to death in her own home by police. Osaka said she had another 6 masks with names of police brutality victims, one for each round of the tournament. Osaka wants to bring attention to the continued genocide of black people at the hand of the police, particularly to the majority white sport. “As a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis", Osaka explained.

Read time: 2 minutes

Diversity and Inclusion Insights
We'll hire 100 black interns a year, say UK fund managers
New initiative, #100BlackInterns sees as many as 80 major city firms signing up, pledging to improve representation of black staff. Each year, they promise to offer 100 internships to black students and recent graduates in investment management. However, organisers have not currently disclosed the statistics on how many black interns they have hired historically. “In over two decades in the City, I have rarely come across anyone who looks like me,” said Dawid Konotey-Ahulu, one of the initiative’s coordinators. A important addition stipulates that candidates need no prior experience, and do not need any connections within the firm, avoiding this common bias.

Read time: 1.5 minutes

The Science Behind Women Leaders’ Success In Fighting Covid-19
The media have picked up recently on the disproportionate success of female leaders during the pandemic, compared to the response by countries with male leaders. Two UK economist explain the real reasons behind this blatant disparity, lying predominantly in leadership styles. Only 19 countries around the world are currently led by women, but their success combatting covid, such as by New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Arden, was well-reported. The economists picked up on this trend through memes and in their research found that an aptitude for big thinking, empathy and good communication were key to women leaders' success.

Read time: 3.5 minutes

Events

Educating out Racism
An important virtual conference on antiracism and building an inclusive society is taking place next Friday 11th. The event will feature presentations, performances, panel discussions and virtual stalls, with an impressive schedule of speakers. BAME Recruitment will be conducting our own virtual stall at the end of the event, meaning you can join a call with us and ask any queries you may have. Click the graphic below to get your ticket now, and you'll have access to our 50% off discount!

Challenging Recruitment Bias in the Insurance Industry
On September 9th, join an interactive virtual panel discussion focusing on underrepresentation in the insurance industry. A lively discussion is anticipated between the expert panel of guests, including our very own Cynthia Davis, CEO and founder of BAME Recruitment. The event is free - just click the graphic below to register your attendance!

Story of the Week

Marcus Rashford brings food brand giants together to tackle child food poverty
22-year-old Manchester United player Marcus Rashford continues to use his platform to advocate for government change. After his win for securing free school meals for disadvantaged children during the summer holiday, Rashford has gone on to form a taskforce with some of the UK's biggest food brands to try to help reduce child food poverty. The taskforce is calling for government support in three main areas: expanding the reach of free school meals, increasing school holiday food and activities support, and improving Healthy Start vouchers. They say these changes would be a "unifying step to identifying a long-term solution to child poverty in the UK". Click Rashford's picture below to find out more.

Read time: 7 minutes

Featured Video

Rising Phoenix: Paralympics documentary 'will make you angry and upset'
Rising Phoenix is in the new documentary which explores the history and significance of the Paralympics games. "We want the audience to engage [...] in one of the most extraordinary civil rights movements", the director explains - the Paralympic movement. The film features stars such as Italian wheelchair fencer Bebe Vio and British sprinter Jonnie Peacock. They were determined to have all types of disability represented in the film. Watch a snippet below.

Inspirational Person of the Week

Kuli Kohli
Born in a remote Indian village and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Kuli Kohli has been described as "lucky to survive". With zero knowledge or resources to understand the condition, neighbours even advised Kohli's parents to "throw her in the river". Kohli is now a poet; after using writing as a means to survive, she now takes the stage and recites her poems. She has become to embrace her neurological condition as part of her identity, not something to be ashamed of. When Kuli moved to the UK, the prejudice against her did not go away and she explains, "even here, some parts of the Asian community regard disability with abhorrence". Kuli's writing helped her through these hardships, to become the happily married woman, mother and full-time worker she is today. Read more about her difficulties as an Asian disabled woman, click her photo below.

Read time: 10 minutes