25 Jun 2021

Diversity Lens - Issue 82

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Jun 25

Diversity Lens - Issue 82

Welcome to Diversity Lens.
Diversifying your news consumption.

White privilege doesn't mean you haven't struggled; it means you haven't struggled BECAUSE of the colour of your skin.

This week MPs suggested that the term 'white privilege' is to blame for disadvantaged white children.

A shocking claim in which it is hard to see where the dots connect. We thought a reminder of what white privilege actually means was in order, outlined clearly in the video above - a reminder that wouldn't go amiss with MPs on this committee.

No one wants white working class students to be left to suffer; the fact they continue to lack necessary support lies at the fault of the government and a continued lack of funding. White privilege in no way invalidates white people's suffering, it just means that your hardships are not directly related to the colour of your skin.

OUR STORY OF THE WEEK

"Bumble closes to give 'burnt-out' staff a week's break"
BBC News

Bumble continues to position itself on the forefront of employee wellbeing.

Upon becoming concerned of a collective 'burn out' among her staff, Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd told the 700 staff worldwide to 'switch off' and 'focus on themselves'.

Wolfe Herd has previously announced her intention to make the internet "a kinder, more accountable place". This evidently extends to the Bumble work culture. Employees can also pick the work hours of their choice, as long as the work gets done.

Forward

IN OTHER NEWS...

Put your Pride money where your mouth is

As part of our Pride season campaign, we're spotlighting queer-owned businesses to support this month, and always. Did you catch our piece on rainbow capitalism in issue #81?

Avoid the big corporations hopping on a rainbow trend for profits and support small businesses who truly value your money. Click through for our spotlights.

Love Island is back – but is ITV doing enough to protect contestants’ mental health?

Will you be tuning in this year?
The channel is boasting a new ‘psychological support package’ after 3 suicides in the last 2 years linked to the show. The mental health concerns of the show, coupled with the unsurprising but still disappointing lack of contestant diversity, is leading many to boycott Love Island.(Read time: 3 minutes)

Carl Nassib makes history as NFL's first active openly gay player

NFL player Carl Nassib has revealed via social media that he is gay, making him the first active NFL player to do so. Waves of support followed this coming out from players and teams alike including former No.1 professional tennis player, Billie Jean King. Nassib said he's experiencing "gratitude and relief" after the wholly positive reaction.(Read time: 2 minutes)

THIS WEEK IN D&I...

'People didn't believe my CV', says board director

Shefaly Yogendra first came to the UK from India 2 years ago; she says board-level women often face disadvantages "even before they walk into the building". Yogendra encountered pushback such as being asked if she was here legally, and suspicion over the legitimacy of her CV. The stats of women, particularly women of colour, on boards is still severely lacking.
(Read time: 3.5 minutes)

Are tattoos still taboo at work?

How far has "the needle shifted" on this issue? It feels like we've come a long way since any visible tattoo would cause a problem with a potential employer. It points to a larger welcome trend where individual appearances in the workplace are becoming less important - check out our latest TikTok on hair at work.

Inclusion at work means accepting people 100% for who they are - body art included.

Stop saying “diverse” when you mean something else

'Diversity and Inclusion' has become ubiquitous to the extent that it's meaning has become somewhat diluted. A U.K. survey found that 40% of respondents were afraid of saying the word “Black” at work.

Many are scared or uncomfortable with participating in these conversations, but with silence comes idleness or even regression. Furthermore, the demographic that D&I initiatives are supposed to benefit report largely being left out of these conversations. Asad Dhunna stresses that progress can only come from honest communication.(Read time: 10 minutes)

CHANGEMAKER OF THE WEEK

Trolls can’t stop this Black and disabled activist from taking over TikTok

Imani Barbarin has garnered hundreds of thousands of followers across Twitter and TikTok and she is using her reach to inform and educate. Her videos tend to start with a personal anecdote before connecting to wider social issues. Barbarin's visibility online has not come without its backlash, but she thinks it important that "people see and affirm me as a Black disabled woman".

Check out @crutches_and_spice on TikTok for conversations about white supremacy, ableism, and pop culture.