As the Owner/Founder of AllThingzAP, where it is our primary mission for individuals to be their authentic selves, I want to personally invite you to join me as I host a complimentary virtual webinar. On Wednesday March 25th at 7 PM EST, with panelists Tayo Rockson, Kate Bischoff, & Liza Talusan (Bio’s below), we will have a discussion surrounding COVID19 and its Impact Towards Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. Please register by clicking here --> https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qqN7QxlXTuy-rd4RIZQWZQ
COVID-19 has been classified as a pandemic and will have a significant impact throughout the world. It will affect us both, personally and professionally.
What prompted me to host this webinar? First and foremost, it is essential that we continue to have the conversations surrounding inclusion, diversity, & equity. COVID-19 has prompted conversations about the crisis we face globally. It is important for us to continue the conversations surrounding race, racism, color, gender, nationality, age, LGBTQ+, disability, etc. But, we now must also include these conversations around the coronavirus and discrimination specifically towards ethnicity.
I try my absolute best to not discuss personal politics in my professional life. However, I must state my passionate disapproval of President Trump’s rhetoric and usage of the term, “Chinese Virus.” This is hateful and deliberate. True authentic leaders need to call out what is wrong, and it is clear that the President calling this virus Chinese is in fact wrong. Not only is it wrong, but a violation against Asian Americans. This is not about red or blue, left or right, and conservative or liberal. There is absolutely no room for ethnic discrimination, especially during a crisis. THIS IS A GLOBAL CRISIS. Inciting hate of Asian Americans due to the term is both irresponsible and divisive.
According to Erica Pernell, “Asian and Asian American people around the U.S. are experiencing an increase in incidents of harassment, name-calling, violence, and hostility. Asian & Asian American people on public transportation have been targeted with racial slurs and insults. Middle and high schoolers around the U.S. have experienced name-calling and racist questions about what their families eat. Younger Asian students report being asked by classmates if they have the virus. Businesses owned by Chinese people in America have been hit hard, as sales and business have dropped considerably for weeks.”
I feel passionately about hosting this webinar and I am looking forward to discussing how the coronavirus will impact diversity & inclusion with our panel.
Some other basics:
Beyond the obvious health precautions such as handwashing and video conferencing, there are ways to extend the spirit of empathy, community, and inclusion:
- Be a good bystander
- Connect with others
- Be extra kind
- Help calm fears
- If you can, intervene if you see bullying or speak out against negative
statements on social media.
- Understand how the COVID-19 response intersects with public policy
- Share accurate information about how the virus spreads and raise awareness without fear
- Not everyone is safe in their own home
- Breathe. Be thankful. Be helpful.
As Race/Related Editor, Lauretta Charlton, for The New York Times indicates in her recent article, “In a pandemic, our differences matter very little. We all can get sick, and the only way to fight it is together.”
Panelist Biographies for Wednesdays Virtual Webinar:
Tayo Rockson is a writer, speaker, consultant, and media personality who runs UYD Management - a strategic leadership and consulting firm that helps organizations incorporate sustainable diversity and inclusion practices. As someone who has lived on 4 continents, he is an authority in communicating effectively across cultures. In addition to that, he's been named a "Top 40 Millennial Influencer" by New Theory magazine. He hosts the popular As Told by Nomads podcast and his book Use Your Difference To Make A Difference is based on how to connect and communicate in a cross-cultural world.
Liza Talusan, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized facilitator and strategic partner in areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Liza earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Connecticut College, a Master's Degree in Student Personnel Administration from New York University; a certificate in Human Resources; a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston; and her ACC coaching credentials from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Her scholarship has been published in peer reviewed journals, edited collections, online platforms, and she has been featured on a number of podcasts and interviews related to education, identity, and inclusion. She serves in a number of national organizations focused on education and equity, and she has consulted with well over 130 schools and organizations across the country.
Kate Bischoff is an overly enthusiastic, sarcastic, and opinionated management-side employment attorney and human resources professional. She works closely with management, HR folk, and technology companies to improve organizations and make it easier to recruit and retain talent through having easy-to-understand policies, easy-to-use technology, and easy-to-explain compliance initiatives. Prior to starting her own business, Kate served as the HR Officer for Consulate General Jerusalem and U.S. Embassy Lusaka, Zambia. Kate has been recognized by The New York Times, CNN.com, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, National Public Radio, and other journalistic sources as a leading authority on harassment, technology in the workplace, and employment law.