“Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work.” ~ Andres Tapia, Korn Ferry
“Equality is treating everyone the same. But equity is taking differences into account, so everyone has a chance to succeed.” — Jodi Picoult, Author
We’re now at a point, 15-plus years in, where DEI is not a program or an initiative or a singular goal,” says Afzali. “It is about how we do this work holistically.” ~ Marisa Afzali, DEI director, Progressive – Forbes
“Sirve para agradecer todo lo que tenemos.” ~ Shari, a young Columbian immigrant who celebrated Thanksgiving in NYC last year.
As terrorists have taken lives and hostages and ignited a war in the Middle East, putting Israeli and Palestinian lives at risk with no end in sight yet; as affirmative action is ended in the U.S.; as we fight for women’s reproductive rights that were taken away from them after a half-century; as antiSemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise, and as asylum seekers are treated as political pawns by the country that has declared, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” — it certainly would seem that there is not much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
But where there is life, there is hope. Where there are people willing to do the hard work to find solutions instead of creating more problems, there can be progress toward peace, acceptance, sharing, diversity, equity and inclusion here in America and the world over. Where there is the will, there is a way out of the darkness into the light.
After all, we Americans are pretty accepting when we are face to face with loved ones, family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and others who have varying skin colors, ethnicities, religious beliefs, sexual preferences or identities, genders, incomes or educational backgrounds. When we see people up close and personal, and find that we often share common or similar experiences, our differences truly blur.
I am thankful for my family and that we have come through a health challenge this past year. And I am thankful for my country, and hopeful that it will continue to fulfill its promise of inclusion and diversity and that famous American melting pot.
There are many problems to be solved, but they are not new and from its inception our nation has faced many seemingly insurmountable challenges to which it has found solutions. And our nation will do so again.
My wishes for all are a joyful Thanksgiving celebration — however you observe it — and all those to come, that we all make an extra effort to practice understanding, empathy, compassion and acceptance of diversity in the human race, and that we remember to in some way help those who are less fortunate.
Now, just in case you are looking for something that you might find inspiring, fun and helpful to read, following are some of my past Thanksgiving holiday blog posts :).
Until next time,
Jeanne
Thanksgiving Day Dinner Etiquette
Jeanne Nelson 