13 Nov 2020

Diversity Lens - Issue 52

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Nov 13

Diversity Lens - Issue 52

Welcome to Diversity Lens

Diversify your news consumption.

IN A RUSH?
In this issue, we bring you a powerful and moving photography series on teenage life with Down's syndrome. In other news, the BBC spark concern in the LGBTQ+ community; we look at the pitfalls of facial recognition; and celebrate the disabled activists fighting for equal civil rights.
Make sure you register for our upcoming panel event with Avanade discussing BAME inclusivity and allyship in the workplace!

LATEST NEWS

Unveiling BR Careers!

We are excited to launch our new Instagram and Facebook accounts dedicated solely to bring you our latest job opportunities. We currently have live jobs across a wide range of sectors from Sky to British Land to London Youth Games. Don't miss out on your next career opportunity! Follow @brcareers now for jobs, just jobs.

BBC director general Tim Davie says it’s ‘not controversial to be transgender’ while clarifying rules on staff attending Pride

New BBC social media guidelines were recently issued to staff to better maintain impartiality. They must not express opinion on "public policy, politics, or controversial subjects", whether in a professional or personal capacity. This sparked concern from the LGBTQ+ community around whether staff would be allowed to attend Pride events or show support for the trans community, for example. Director Tim Davie has announced that the new rules would not prohibit these actions:
"While I lead this organisation it will value its LGBTQI+ colleagues like all others”
He apologises for the confusion caused. However, there are continued doubts from staff over the new guidance.
Read more... (4 minutes)

Artificial intelligence is making the beauty industry work for everyone

Facial recognition misidentifies 35% of darker-skinned women, compared to less than 1% of lighter-skinned men. Recognising this disparity, Atima Lui sought to change the problematic algorithm by broadening the data and therefore broaden the range of skin tones available in make up. By collecting a wider spectrum of skin tones and complexions, Lui hopes to "change the standard of beauty to match the full range of diversity in human skin". Lui's ambition comes from her childhood experiences in Topeka, Kansas where she was constantly made to not feel beautiful or good enough. Wired magazine's Allyssia Alleyne reports. Read more... (4 minutes)

Disability Discrimination Act: The disabled activists who brought London to a halt
This week 25 years ago the Disability Discrimination Act was passed; a huge landmark for the community who had been fighting for years for basic civil rights. In 1995, disabled activists disrupted the city of London with passionate protests, chaining themselves to buses and filling the streets. Through this iconic disruption, they demanded equal access to the many parts of our society that they were excluded from, such as public transport. The BBC catch up with some of the activists and discuss the inclusion of Disabled people in today's society.
"We achieved something significant, but it hasn't gone far enough"
Read more... (3.5 minutes)

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INSIGHTS

I’m deaf, and this is what happens when I get on a Zoom call
Zoom has been the mode of communication for many, but adjustments to social distancing has proved more difficult to some than others, particularly those with disabilities. In an effort to bring attention to this, a hearing-impaired product designer had his team experience his world when communicating whilst working remotely. The challenges included difficulty lip-reading, synchronising issues, and an over-reliance on a transcript. The objective was for the team to approach these meetings with a different perspective and technological context, and to think of ideas to create a more inclusive 'new normal' in the workplace.
Read more... (6 minutes)

Diversity & inclusion in the workplace – your voice is valuable
Check out this piece written by two of our very own BAME Recruitment team members, published in the ICMA Future Leaders Newsletter.
They discuss the common barriers towards more inclusive workplaces and share helpful tips for junior employees to challenge the status quo and push for more diverse and welcoming workplace cultures. They encourage you to start asking the right questions.
Read more... (2.5 minutes)

EVENTS

W orkplace Allyship: Promoting BAME Inclusivity
BAME Recruitment is delighted to partner with Avanade for this exciting upcoming event.

This virtual panel discussion will give attendees the opportunity to hear from a diverse range of panelists discussing allyship in the workplace and inclusion for BAME employees. The event will aim to

Provide tools for colleagues to better support one another
Expand your awareness of other people’s career experiences
Explore effective actions and solutions to increase feelings of value and belonging in the workplace for all.

Tune in on November 24th, register for free here.

Hiring for diversity or desperate to appear "woke"?
BAME Recruitment founder and CEO Cynthia will be joining The Global Equality Collective next Wednesday to discuss the common challenges for organisations when introducing diversity & inclusion initiatives. They'll talk strategies, 'tick box' approaches and companies who care more about their image and reputation than pursuing real change. Three expert speakers from very different backgrounds will share their thoughts, advice and experience. Save your space here.

STORY OF THE WEEK

These photos show the love & longing of teenage life with Down’s syndrome

This unique photography series is led by award-winning German-Russian photographer, Snezhana von Buedingen. She met Sofie, the subject of this photo project which she entitles Meeting Sofie, in 2017 on her family's remote 16th Century farmland estate. Von Beudingen quickly realised that she wanted to dedicate an entire series to Sofie - to "her character, her views on life and the electricity of connection between the two of them" - Sofie and her mother.

"She has Down's Syndrome, yes, but von Beudingen says that this doesn't matter to Sofie all that much."

Von Beudingen hopes to break down boundaries with her pictures of Sofie and the commonality of teenage feeling that is embodied in them. Sofie and von Veudingen have remained friends since the photo series.
Read more... (6 minutes)

FEATURED VIDEO

Ella Snyder on photographing the trans and non-binary community

Snyder photographs trans and non binary people making waves in the community.

INSPIRATIONAL PERSON OF THE WEEK

Islamophobia Awareness Month Edition.

P aul Sesay

Paul Sesay is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, National Diversity Awards, Inclusive Companies Awards and The Diversity Group. Paul grew up in foster care in Leeds and his experiences of hardship inspired him to help others, which led to the birth of the Diversity Awards. The aim is to honour the work of inclusive employers and unsung diversity heroes across the UK.

The racism Paul experienced growing up among foster homes and white-majority schools impassioned him to fight for change, particularly in the north of England: "we shouldn't still be having these conversations in 2020", he says. Throughout his career, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations in the world on their diversity and inclusion initiatives and continues to be a leading voice in the battle for Black inclusion and equal opportunities.
Hear his story... (2 minutes)