Category: Diversity

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Can You Answer This? Name an inspirational woman still alive today.

Who is your inspiration?

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March is Women’s History Month and with that in mind, what woman would you say is an inspiration to you?

I’m going to be a little biased in my answer. My mother inspires me. She is understanding, kind, and strong. The love that she has shown over the years is why she inspires me. Just the lessons that she has taught me growing up and watching how she conducts herself. She has taught me a lot and her wisdom has shaped me into the woman I am today.

There are a lot of women who inspire me but too many to name. They have set an example of what is possible. I have highlighted a few.

Kamala Harris

Vice President of the United States. She is the first woman VP, also the first African American woman and South Asian woman to hold this office. If you have political aspirations, just look at what she has achieved. And know that it is possible for you too.

Serena Williams

Tennis star who started at a young age. She kept on keeping on even when people doubted her abilities. She speaks out about gender pay equality and racial equality as well. Her fearlessness is an inspiration to me.

Simone Biles

Gymnast who has won numerous world championship gold medals. Outside of her athletic abilities, she has partnered with Mattress Firm Foster Kids. This is a charity that helps kids in foster care. Simone Biles, in spite of being diagnosed with ADHD was able to persevere. Just goes to show that we all have something to deal with in life, but we must not let it hold us back.

Michelle Obama

Former First Lady. She is not afraid to let her truth show, even with the country watching her under a microscope. Also, her mission to help prevent obesity in children. Her initiative, Let’s Move focuses on physical activity and healthy eating in an effort to fight childhood obesity. Our children are the future, so what a better way to ensure that they grow up healthy.

Oprah Winfrey

Business woman, humanitarian and philanthropist. She implemented a school in South Africa for girls. She has won 2 humanitarian awards in 2002 and 2011. Oprah Winfrey has influenced people all over the world with her talk show and her various projects in show business.

Look at the wonderful things that women of the world can achieve!! Who would you name as your inspiration?

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International Women’s Day

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International Women’s Day Audio

March 8, 2022 is International Women’s Day. This month is also Women’s History Month. Let’s celebrate each other ladies!! What a wonderful way to truly bring light to women all over the world. Oftentimes, we do not get the recognition that we deserve. We are women, mothers, wives, business owners, providers, educators, nurturers and then some.

Sometimes we are overlooked for certain career opportunities. We are paid less than men, but we are just as valuable. We contribute as many ideas, hours and truly bring value to the workplace. Women are often seen as the “weaker” sex. I’m here to tell you that nothing can be further from the truth. We are just as capable as men in the world.

Even though we are nurturers we also hold our own in many, many ways. We wear many hats and are stronger than we look; both mentally and physically. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t sleep on us because we look a certain way. Women have the capability to adapt to situations and rise above adversities in life.

I encourage every woman to let their light shine and don’t be afraid to stand tall and DO YOU!! Don’t dumb it down just so that everyone around you can feel comfortable. No, be YOU in all your glory, beauty and brains!

We have a lot to offer and that is why as women we need to continue to lift each other up. Not just in times of need but in every way that we can. You never know who you can encourage and lift up just by your kind words, smile and advice.

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Black History in America

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Black history month is almost over but that doesn’t mean that we stop making history. This is America; after all. Just because it’s almost March does not mean we stop remembering the contributions made by the black community. After the month of February we are still here and doing great things. Black history should be remembered and celebrated all year long.

Being African American, Black, Afro-Latino, Black American, American or however you identify yourself comes with great responsibility. I’m talking about having to work twice as hard and prove yourself worthy just for a seat at the table. Let’s be clear; we belong at the table! Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way. I’m talking about showing up and making sure that you don’t give people a reason to doubt who you are as a productive member of society.

I’m talking about making sure that as a black woman or black man you make people notice you and make your presence known. Stand up for what you believe in and make a difference. In doing so, you may not get recognition or a pat on the back. Don’t expect it because it’s not about that. You are using your gifts. That is satisfaction in itself. When you can say that you are holding your own in this world called America, that is enough.

We have done, are doing and will continue to do things that impact all people in a positive way. Not just the black community but the world as a whole benefits from the sacrifices and efforts made by the countless number of African Americans.

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Powerful black leaders and contributors

Harriet Tubman- She roughed it and helped so many out of enslavement. The Underground Railroad is how she helped a lot of people escape slavery. It was not an actual train but called underground due to the secrecy of the help she received along the way. Hidden compartments and secret hiding places is how she was able to make her escape and help others get away. Harriet Tubman braved the dangers for the betterment of black people. She was a soldier and very brave for what she did.

Malcolm X- By any means necessary! Does that sound familiar? If you have seen or heard him in action then you know he had a no-nonsense approach to the disparities going on at the time. He was not afraid to use a little muscle and manpower to get the job done. Malcolm X was a pillar of the Muslim community and fought for civil rights of his time.

Barack Obama- The 44th President of the United States of America. First African American president of the USA. This was not his first involvement in politics. He was also the senator of Illinois. During his presidency, Osama Bin Laden was located and killed. A terrorist who was on the run for many years. Also, President Obama turned the financial crisis around during his time in office. He brought back the troops from Iraq. Families were able to reunite. Unemployment numbers dropped also while he was in office. He helped businesses open up again and put people back to work. He truly believed his saying that, “yes we can”.

Martin Luther King, Jr- Dr. King who was also a prominent figure for civil rights, helped pave the way for so many. He had a non-violent approach in the way he handled things. Racial inequality, economic justice, voting rights were some of the things he fought for. It was Dr. King that said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.

James Edward Maceo West- It was his childhood fascination with taking things apart and then putting them back together, that later gave birth to his invention of the foil style microphone. In 1999 he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame for the electret microphone. The technology used for the electret microphone can also be found in everyday items such as, telephones, camcorders, computers, hearing aids and other electronics.

Madam CJ Walker- She was the first black self-made millionaire in America. Hair care products is how she accomplished her success. Some of the money she made from her hair care products was given back to the community. She donated money for scholarships for women at Tuskegee Institute. Also, she donated money to various other charities.

Black History in America

Entrepreneurs, inventors, civil rights leaders and activists, freedom fighters are just a few who can be attributed to African Americans. As you can see, we have made strides in this country and will continue to do so in order for future generations to continue the legacy of black history in America.

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Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He was a very influential Black, civil rights activist. and minister. One of the things he was known for is the, I Have a Dream speech which he recited on August 28, 1963. He gave this speech at the March on Washington in D.C. This speech was a call to end racism and for civil and economic rights. His non-violent approach is something he was also known for, which was due to his Christian beliefs.

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The Montgomery Bus Boycott was to his credit also. This boycott lasted for a little over a year and started in 1955. Rosa Parks was arrested during the boycott for not giving up her seat to a white person. This boycott came about in Montgomery, Alabama because of racial segregation on the public transit system. Black people had to sit in the back of the bus.

  • In October 1964, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the youngest person to receive this honor.
  • On April 4, 1968 he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Riots ensued after he was killed in cities all around the United States.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only non-president to have a national holiday.
  • In 1986 his birthday was observed in the United States as a federal holiday. Even though various states established his holiday as early as the year 1971.

Martin Luther King, Jr. positively changed the lives of African Americans, not only in his time but in many years after his death. People no longer have to sit in separate sections on the bus or drink from separate water fountains. He had a talent for bringing people together for a common goal. He was responsible for the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, just to name a few.

King has afforded, not only African Americans, but also the world as a whole with a lot of advantages that we might not have otherwise known today. His tireless efforts to protest and fight for equality and rights has truly paid off. We still have a long way to go in society but some progress has been made.

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Three Kings Day

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Today, January 6th is Three Kings Day! Today is also known as Epiphany or El Día de Reyes. I just want to take a minute to recognize today since I am Boricua too. Although, I am still learning about the traditions of this holiday. I have my Titi in Puerto Rico to thank for keeping me up to date with the culture. This day marks the end of the Christmas holiday celebrations. Three Kings Day is celebrated in Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Peru, just to name a few.

As you can imagine, the celebrations involve family. It also involves gifts for the children. During this holiday some traditional dishes are arroz con gandules, pasteles, and roasted pork. Add to that, Puerto Rican eggnog which is called Coquito (little coconut). Another tradition is caroling (parrandas) while singing aguinaldos or Christmas songs. Some musical instruments used during a parranda are maracas, guitar, cuatros and guiros. Wepa!

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Diversity

Diversity means so many different things to different people. It could relate to gender, race, music, food, people or any number of things. When I think of diversity it brings to mind my childhood. I grew up in a very culturally diverse neighborhood. Living in close proximity, going to school and having friends of different cultures and races has afforded me a greater appreciation for people and life in general.

Imagine living in a place where there are people who are from Africa, Puerto Rico, Greece, Haiti, India, Poland, and a host of other places; you learn a lot. It taught me that even though someone is not the same as me, we can still be friends and live in the same neighborhood. Just because someone does not look like me, dress like me and they don’t have the same beliefs does not make them less than. Despite our cultural differences, we still have some things in common. If we just took the time to get to know people from other cultures we begin to see a lot of things that we may not have known.

We open many doors when we see things from another person’s point of view. Most of us can say that we are a product of our environment. We learn what we see and hear in our everyday surroundings. If you dare to go outside of that, people think that you have sold out and are not down.

In my opinion, diversity means acceptance and understanding. When we accept that everyone is different we have a better understanding of how the world works. Today I focused on diversity as it relates to people. I will explore other types of diversity in a later post. I challenge you to learn something new about a different ethnic group or person.

What does diversity mean to you?

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