Category Archives: Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Academic Articles, Advisors, Authors A-H, Religious Diversity

DEI, Religion, and Hate Crimes – by Deborah Ashton, Ph.D.

Introduction

Deborah Levine requested that I join her group on Black and Jewish Dialogue in 2021. Given today’s atmosphere, dialogue is crucial. Levine is the editor-in-chief of the American Diversity Report (ADR). She is a Holocaust documentarian (Courter, 2023; Levine, Untold Stories of a World War II Liberator, 2023), whom I am sure when she launched ADR never anticipated that diversity and DEI would be equated with anti-Semitism. Yet the cry has been aimed at academia and business (Cohen, 2023; Notheis, 2024) I am baffled by the cry to silence and dismantle DEI. 

Through my DEI journey and practice since 1991 in corporate America, DEI has been inclusive and provides respect and dignity to all across religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, physical and mental ability, and other demographics. I will provide some examples later in the article.

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Authors A-H, Race & Ethnicity

Honoring MLK Words of Wisdom – by David Grinberg

10 Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.
that Resonate Today

America again pauses to honor the monumental life and legacy of civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK). The annual MLK Day national holiday is an opportune time to ponder some of Dr. King’s timeless words of wisdom and their immense influence on the nation more than half a century later.

Like other giants of American history, MLK showed that great leadership begets great communication (among many other things). His powerful message about the critical importance of racial justice, equal opportunity and economic empowerment  connected with diverse demographics of every race, gender, age, color and creed across the country.

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DL Opinion columns, Religious Diversity

Finally, diversity programming is beginning to include faith – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I could barely contain my excitement a few days ago when the Chattanooga Times Free Press published this article, “Businesses face calls to include faith in diversity program”. Do you know how many years I’ve been promoting the idea of competence in religious diversity? It began over 30 years ago when I created the DuPage/Chicago Interfaith Resource Network and got a call from the county’s police chief. DuPage County had acquired an amazingly diverse population as it developed into Chicago’s technology corridor. And law enforcement officers were struggling, especially when there was a death, like someone run over on the highway. Apparently they were asking all the loved ones if they should call a priest and were offending everyone who was not Catholic. Would I please wear a pager 24/7 so that they could call on me to help them with the correct language?   

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Levine articles, Race & Ethnicity, Religious Diversity

A Jewish Perspective on MLK – by Deborah Levine

2 Comments

raceIt was an honor to share my perspective as a Jew and diversity professional at Chattanooga’s MLK interfaith service commemorating The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  That event was years ago but my passion for diversity is a lifelong  legacy from my father, a US World War II military intelligence officer whose letters describing Naziism reside in Cincinnati’s American Jewish Archives. Having dedicated decades to tikkun olam, Hebrew for ‘repair of the world,’ I resonate to this day to Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s words, “Racism is man’s gravest threat to man – the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.”

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Advisors, Authors A-H, LGBTQ

Diversity and Speech Part 41: Detransitioning Transgender Individuals after Death – by Carlos Cortés, Stephenson Brooks Whitestone

Carlos:  Hi, Stephenson.  Thanks for taking the time to discuss your pioneering transgender research.  It certainly provides an illuminating perspective that goes well beyond the media fixation on bathrooms, sports, and grooming.  How did this fascinating research journey begin?

Stephenson:  Those are still important topics, but my interest in post-mortem identities began before graduate school when I attended several memorials for trans people.  I could not help but notice the arbitrary way in which the deceased’s gender identity was assigned.  Usually these memorials reflected their family’s preferences rather than the way the deceased would have defined themselves.   Then in graduate school I encountered the concept of end-of-life (EOL) communication.   I concluded that end-of-life communication intersected with the use of public memorial expressions, such as gravestones, obituaries, and funerals.

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Authors R-Z, Religious Diversity

Common Ground for Customs, Beliefs, and Religions – by Lee Webster

1 Comment

Why It Matters:
Belonging, Values, Socialization, Structure, Aspirations, and Community 

As I reflect on the importance of finding common ground among people of diverse customs, beliefs, and religions, I am reminded of the values and principles that have been taught throughout my life.  My journey, filled with a sense of purpose, has shown me the significance of building bridges that connect individuals, regardless of their differences.  It is in understanding and embracing our shared humanity that we can truly bring about the impact of belonging, uphold core values, shape the way we socialize, give structure to our lives, and reach our collective aspirations as a global community.  

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Authors A-H, Disability

Why Workplace Diversity Includes People With Disabilities – by David Grinberg

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In case you missed it, October marked National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Here’s why it matters: People with disabilities represent a vast pool of untapped talent in a competitive global labor force, particularly with the domestic unemployment rate at historically low levels.

Nevertheless, too many companies still ignore people with disabilities in the hiring process — despite their proven talent, merit and ability to do the job. Moreover, even some progressive employers which hire persons with disabilities may fail to retain, train and advance this overlooked segment of the workforce due to unlawful discrimination.

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Race & Ethnicity, Sports

Diversity and Speech Part 40: Latinos in College Sports – by Carlos Cortés and Guillermo Ortega

Carlos:  Guillermo, I still remember the first time we met.  You were about to start your senior year at the University of California, Riverside.    

Guillermo:  Yes, it was the summer of 2012.  

Carlos: Our friendship began when you became my research assistant.  Now you’re on your own fascinating research journey, examining the experiences of Latino college athletes.  How did you get into this topic?

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Inclusion

Body Diversity and DEI Approach to Weight Loss – by Rose Joneson

There has been significant progress in diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) goals within the US. Data from the Pew Research Center showed that 61% of workers have experienced company policies that ensure fairness in hiring, pay, or promotions. This is important given that DEI helps empower individuals and promotes the reduction of harmful bias against race, gender, sexuality, and religion.

However, one aspect of DEI that gets left behind is concerned with weight. Reports showed that inclusivity initiatives fail to consider plus-size workers, who are often stereotyped as lazy and less competent. Additionally, many workplaces are still not accommodating to plus-size individuals, who have stricter dress codes and limited healthcare benefits.

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Race & Ethnicity, Religious Diversity

Yiddish Is My ‘Super Power’ – by Avi Hoffman

Editor’s Note: Written prior to events in Israel, Hoffman now adds:
Please stand with Israel, the land that symbolizes the enduring strength and the promise of a safe home for the Jewish people, persecuted through the centuries and today. The land whose national anthem – ‘Hatikvah’ – literally means ‘HOPE’ – the hope to be free in our own home. Let us learn from history’s darkest moments and strive for a near future where EVERY child, regardless of their nationality, background, race or faith, can grow up without hunger or fear. Where EVERY human being can pursue their greatest dreams and fulfill their highest potential destiny.

Together, we can create a world where justice prevails, love triumphs over hatred, where acceptance vanquishes prejudice and where peace prevails over war. I still believe in the power of unity and love, and I hope you will too. In a world where so much hatred still lingers, let us unite to protect the dream of a peaceful coexistence. Not only for Jews in Israel and around the world, but for all human beings on our fragile planet regardless of race, faith or gender. When all is said and done, all we have is each other.

YiddishWith Hoffman’s message in mind, we should magnify our efforts to preserve the languages, cultures and traditions that have made our diverse world so memorable, including Yiddish.

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