01 Oct 2021

Diversity Lens - Issue 96

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

Oct 1

Diversity Lens - Issue 96

Welcome to Diversity Lens.
Diversifying your news consumption.

October is upon us. The temperature is on the turn and Christmas is coming into sight, but first we celebrate Black History Month.

We've got lots planned for this month from educational posts and relatable TikToks, to a personal blog piece and our favourite Black businesses. Follow our socials to avoid missing out.

Whilst you're waiting, check out our National Inclusion Week posts last week on the lesser known UNprotected characteristics.

STORY OF THE WEEK

"U.K. offers thousands of visas to foreign truckers to ease driver shortage"
NY Times

If you found yourself cruising the motorway this week you'll have surely seen illuminated 'no fuel' signs preceding nearly every service station.

The HGV driver shortage has been building under the surface for months and this seems only the start of our supply troubles. Brexit promised a hardline on immigration and we're seeing proof its succeeded.

We were promised that 'born and bred' British workers would be lining up to proudly fulfil the jobs our skilled immigrants left behind. Instead, we're calling on drivers to come out of retirement, and the army is on standby.

After mass panic buying this week, the government made the decision to issue thousands of lorry drivers with temporary visas.

“I am not sure how many would want to go to the UK", Marco Digioia, the head of the European Road Haulers Associationadmitted however. More shortages are almost certain to follow, particularly in the build up to Christmas.

In times of crisis, Britain has historically looked overseas for skilled workers and it seems now is no different, despite so recently closing the borders to EU workers.

"Perhaps the chaos might mean we miss the magnitude of his admission that Britain is in fact in dire need of foreign labour. Immigrants are good, actually."

Forward

IN OTHER NEWS...

I Am Not Your Villain: Equal representation of visible difference in film

I Am Not Your Villain campaign calls on the film industry to stop using scars, burns, marks and other visible differences as a shorthand for villainy.

Scotland becomes first country to require teaching of LGBTQ+ history in schools

At the start of this week, Scotland will introduce LGBTQ+ history into it's curriculum, making it the first country in the world to do so. Despite some protest, over half of people in Britain believe that it is right to teach children about families with same-sex parents and diverse families more broadly. All school staff in Scotland will receive a basic awareness e-learning course on inclusive education and LGBTQ+ inclusive education teaching resources.
Read time: 3.5 minutes

“We owe it to the next generation to ensure our schools are a place where all children and young people can be themselves."

I used to think my disability made me unlovable. Here’s how I’m dismantling my internalised ableism

Corie Walsh discusses the 'structural ableism' that we all live within in this poignant and personal piece. Walsh works to uproot the ableist rhetoric that permeates her own mind, the most powerful one being the notion that disabled people are unloveable. Walsh has been chronically ill her whole life, and spent much of her dating life trying to hide it, to "soften our disabilities and squeeze into social norms". Not so anymore.

Read time: 8 minute s

THIS WEEK IN D&I...

The importance of inclusion in corporate socials
As we settle into more face-to-face interactions - after work drinks, festive parties - businesses must consider the inclusion of all employees. Groups often more vulnerable to exclusion in these settings tend to include 'women, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, parents or younger employees'. Its important to remember that what some might think of as a bit of fun, others may spend weeks dreading...

Read time: 5 minutes

Black tech entrepreneurs given a boost by leading bursary scheme

The Breakthrough Bursary, now relaunched for the third year, offers tech start-ups fronted by Black, Asian or minority ethnic entrepreneurs in Bristol financial and strategic support. As part of their commitment to promoting inclusion and equal opportunities in tech, the tech incubator SETsquared Bristol grants selected businesses a bursary amounting to 75% of their annual Startup Membership.
Read time: 2.5 minutes

EVENTS

How to Recruit and Nurture Diverse Talent | CIPD

Next week our brilliant Founder Cynthia will join the folk at CIPD to discuss talent acquisition and development strategies that support growing a diverse and inclusive workforce. The panel will tackle performative vs authentic action in a lively discussion that moves beyond just recruitment. Register for free now!