06 Nov 2020

Diversity Lens - Issue 51

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

Nov 6

Diversity Lens - Issue 51

Welcome to Diversity Lens

Diversify your news consumption.

IN A RUSH?
In this issue we hear from disabled actors in Hollywood and the all Asian-American voice cast in a new Netflix animation. This Islamophobia Awareness Month, we spotlight four Muslim experiences at Cambridge University, and the inspirational work of artist Mahtab Hussain. In light of the second lockdown, we share ways to be mindful of our mental health. Scroll down for a selection of our latest jobs this week or see all live vacancies here.

LATEST NEWS

Entertainers discuss disability representation In Hollywood

A series of virtual panel discussions have been held to discuss disability representation in Hollywood. A group of disabled actors, including A Quiet Place's Millicent Simmonds, discuss what needs to change in the industry.

“The message being sent out to disabled kids is you do not belong in this world”

An aspect of particular urgency is having disabled actors play disabled characters. Comedian Maysoon Zayid, who has cerebral palsy, wants to see a disabled Disney princess to help kids see positive representations of themselves growing up.
Read more... (4 minutes)

Zanele Muholi's queer South Africa

Non-binary photographer Zanele Muholi, ahead of their Tate exhibition, discusses the challenges of 'just existing' in South Africa for LGBTQ+ people. Muholi's central project of her career, Faces and Phases, is an ongoing archive of the lives of lesbians, transgender men and gender non-conforming people. The images are accompanied by personal statements of "struggle, but also self-composure and pride". The artist says that they started the project out of necessity; they photograph hate crime victims, activists, and eventually Muholi themself in a series of self-portraits which communicate a powerful defiance.
R ead more... (8 minutes)

Over the Moon’s Asian-American cast on what the movie means for them Netflix's latest animated hit, Over the Moon, features an entirely Asian-American voiced cast. They bring to life the Chinese legend of Chang’e. Representation in film and TV is a hot topic right now where we still see white actors voicing characters of colour, and tired stereotypes remain in circulation.

"Voicing characters specifically written as Asian was still meaningful for the actors"

In this roundtable, the cast discuss the authenticity of the material and the positive Asian representation.
Read more... (10 minutes)

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INSIGHTS

9 women leaders on what gender equality means to them
Mashable UK speak with nine women leaders in reflection on the gender activism which has led us up to today - the successes, the short-fallings, and what still needs to be done. Among others, they hear from Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance; Mónica Ramírez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women; and Yara Shahidi, Actress and Activist. Between them they have fought for education equality, youth voter engagement, domestic worker rights, and Latinx rights and representation. Read what their priorities are right now.
Read more... (12 minutes)

Black employees are being asked to fix institutional racism
After a plethora of company statements were released making strong promises and commitments to diversity and inclusion, time has proved that these organisations don't have the structures in place to follow through with such grand schemes. While the responsibility should lie with senior leadership teams to drive change and progress, the heavy lifting has fallen to the employees of colour. This piles more emotional labour onto the workers most likely to be struggling, very likely with no extra compensation.

"They say ‘We're educating ourselves’, but don't know how to actually fix the problems at hand, so look to those who have actually experienced those things."
Read more... (5 minutes)

EVENTS

Diversity and inclusion: Can we eliminate biased recruitment?

BAME Recruitment partner with Teamtailor this coming Thursday 12th to deliver a webinar on the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our COO Luke Davis will join the expert panel to discuss the future of recruitment. Removing bias from the recruitment process and creating a level playing field for candidates can often be easier said than done. The panel discuss practical methods to eradicate bias. Not one to miss - register for free here.

STORY OF THE WEEK

How to look after your mental health as we enter a second lockdown, according to a psychotherapist

The first UK lockdown back in March took most of us on a turbulent ride when it came to mental health. Do you feel more or less panicked now we come to our second lockdown? If you're anxiety levels are on overdrive, you are far from alone. Whilst we now have foresight that we can persist through a month confined to houses, we also have the added stressors of a dark and looming winter, an uncertain Christmas, and perhaps less faith in our government to grasp a handle on the virus this time round. However, there are proactive actions we can explore to be mindful of our mental health at this trying time, and to be kind to ourselves.

While there is definitely no 'one-size-fits-all' solution, psychologist and psychotherapist Charlotte Armitage shares some great places to start as we begin our second lockdown. These include: focusing on what you can control rather than external uncertainties; practicing gratitude; establishing a routine; identifying and limiting triggering behaviours; and much more. If you find yourself in need of some extra support, these places can help, or you can call the Samaritans on 116 123.
Read more... (4.5 minutes)

FEATURED VIDEO

A love letter to Somali culture, blackness and Islam at Cambridge University

Four British-Somali students talk about navigating one of Britain’s most elite institutions

INSPIRATIONAL PERSON OF THE WEEK

Islamophobia Awareness Month Edition.

Mahtab Hussain

Mahtab Hussain is a British artist focused predominantly on Muslim representation and the relationship "between identity, heritage and displacement" through mainly portraiture photography. Hussain’s You Get Me? series debuted in London in 2017 showcasing portraits of British working-class Muslim men. The Guardian described the exhibition as asserting the "humanity of British Muslims in an age when they are often demonised". The pictures aim to confront the negative media representations of Muslim men by celebrating the diverse identities of his subjects. This intention is no less relevant now, in Islamophobia Awareness Month 2020.

In his latest photo series, Hussain twisted an oft-employed racist phrase to create his exhibition, Going Back to Where I Came From. For this project, he returned to his parents' place of birth in Kashmir, documenting its beauty and showcasing all the thing his parents scarified by moving away to the UK. He explored what it meant to back 'in his motherland'. See Mahtab discuss this experience of being lost in a generation of identity struggles here.
Read more...