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Tag: inclusion

  • Be an Aid in Change: Promoting Inclusion in Schools

    Be an Aid in Change: Promoting Inclusion in Schools

    “Inclusion” is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days, but it’s something that we haven’t really thought of a great deal. It’s one word that not only needs to be understood more but also applied in our daily life. The unfortunate thing is inclusion is often mistaken as tolerance or acceptance, but it should encompass more than those terms.

    It is true that you need to be accepting of someone’s differences if you want to practice inclusion, but you also should ensure a harmonious environment that is welcoming where everyone has equal access to all rights and privileges. At first, it may be a hard concept to grasp as growing up, we have always been assigned with our niche depending on our personalities, attitudes, learning abilities, beliefs, and such. But the best thing about inclusion is that all those labels we have been associated with don’t matter.

    In this modern era, it’s about time we make inclusion a natural part of our lives. We can be an instrument in this change right in our own schools. To do this, here are some suggestions to consider:

    Be open-minded.

    During classroom discussions, be more open-minded to those who might not share the same ideas as you. Remember that while you might not agree with their ideas, it’s always good to hear ,so prop up your ears and hear them out instead of having a litany of criticism for them. Showing how you respect others’ ideas can foster more engaging classroom discussions in the future.

    Bring forward your curious self.

    If you’ve got classmates you know you don’t share a lot of things in common with, the knee-jerk reaction is to avoid them altogether. However, you can respectfully try to find out more about them. For example, if you know someone is a vegan, a good convo- starter is to ask why they became a vegan. Once you get to know things from their perspective, it will help you gain more understanding and the new knowledge will help you become a more well-informed individual.

    Initiate activities that everyone can be a part of.

    During school breaks is when most students like you segregate into groups. Some may use the time to play a quick soccer match or two, while some use it for study time. What if you merge the activities like the study group asks the soccer players a question, and if they answer right, they can attempt to kick a goal. It will be interesting to see how brains and brawn can work together.

    Be active in planning for school events.

    Play an active role in planning for school events so you can ensure that everyone can be a part of them. If you are looking for volunteers or helpers, put up posters that are inviting and assure everyone that they can have their own contributions to make the event a success.

    Be vigilant.

    Our elders often tell us to mind our own business, but when it comes to the topic of exclusion, we should learn how to stand our ground. If you feel there are school activities that are not inclusive of everyone, let your voice be heard. If we keep silent, then no change will ever come.

    There is no shortcut to setting inclusion in place. However, we can all take it step by step, and soon enough, we’ll have a world wherein our differences would no longer matter.

    SOURCES:

    http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0706-hewitt.html

    http://www.expressyourselftosuccess.com/five-ways-to-make-others-feel-included/

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-students-race-based-data-1.4278303

    http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/wells-we-must-make-our-schools-inclusive-spaces

    https://connectability.ca/2015/05/09/what-can-we-do-to-make-everyone-feel-welcome-and-included/

  • Inclusion: The Women’s March for All

    Inclusion: The Women’s March for All

    Donald Trump’s ascension to the U.S. Presidency is nothing new. My history studies in university helped me make a modicum of sense of a world that is almost always on the brink of chaos. From countless wars to questionable leaders, humanity has persevered. What is new is technology. On one hand, we are now easily capable of bringing the environment to its knees and bombing the global population many times over; conversely, the masses are also able to come together like no other point in history.

    The Women’s March on Washington mobilized hundreds of thousands of women as they stood up against the catastrophic rhetoric permeating many nations through the rise of right-wing nationalism. They were not alone. Other marches, including one in Toronto’s Queen’s Park, sprung up and helped make it the largest protest in United States history. The idea originated with Teresa Shook, a Hawaiian grandmother who suggested a protest on Facebook immediately after the election. Thanks to modern technology, what would have only reached family and friends instead made its way to over ten thousand people within hours.

    Organizing such a vast protest en masse undoubtedly would lead to difficulties. The intersectionality of different races and life experiences led to numerous disagreements, and unlike other protests, listing the demands would be no easy task. As a white male, I am in no position to equate my experiences with the voices being heard. As a history major, I am excited to be a part of the galvanization of the masses. Cultures are historically structured with a few success stories at the top, standing on the shoulders of countless lower class workers, farmers, or slaves. For the first time in history, that group can effectively mobilize.

    The Women’s March was inclusive of everyone because that is the only way it can truly have an impact. Divisionary tactics have always been one of the strongest weapons against this. When it comes to feminism, we can all implement its tenets, whether we label ourselves a feminist or not. Those with lesser privilege can be heard, and those with more can finally truly listen. However you wish to identify yourself, we are awakening the voices of many generations of civilization that had no social media. After centuries upon centuries of peasants, slaves, and proletariat simply persevering – your ancestors, and mine – we are giving those voices a platform.

    It is unfortunate that it took something as traumatic as electing such a divisive figure to the White House. More importantly, the tumultuous nature of politics at this time exposes the deeper flaws more inherent to a capitalist system at odds with globalist collectivism. The never-ending imperialism, the routine of a select few taking advantage of a large group of people, and the ongoing success of those select few cannot persist in a world of growing compassion and intersectionality. As globalism brings us together, oppression and division become archaic.

    We will continue to march. It will continue to be messy. There will still be defeats and disagreements. There are no overnight victories. But the story of humanity has been a long history of individual struggles, of countless unheard voices of the everyday people never mentioned in history books. At long last, this is an opportunity for us all to come together to do what humanity does best – persevere.

    Sources:

    Egozi, Arielle. “How to tell if the Women’s March is about real feminism – not the safe, trendy kind.” Vox. http://www.vox.com/first-person/2017/1/19/14314038/womens-march-feminism

    Tolentino, Jia. “The Somehow Controversial Women’s March on Washington.” The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/culture/jia-tolentino/the-somehow-controversial-womens-march-on-washington

  • How to Be Inclusive of Others

    How to Be Inclusive of Others

    We live in a world full of people of different genders, cultures, religions and economic backgrounds. Because of this, we all have a responsibility to make sure that any individual, regardless of who they are or where they come from, is included into everyday life.

    What does it mean to be inclusive?

    Sometimes, inclusivity takes the form of certain rights, which are granted to individuals who may not have those rights to begin with. For example, students who practice a religion (regardless of what religion it might be) can be given the right to take religious holidays off of school without penalty. Though it may seem like common sense to grant rights like these to others, the reality is that not everyone has access to them all the time.

    That being said, sometimes inclusivity means allowing for special circumstances in order to even the playing field. Individuals who belong to disadvantaged groups—groups that, throughout history, have been less privileged and continually oppressed compared to others—may receive extra attention because of their disadvantaged positions in society. For example, First Nations students may have special scholarships available to them, because they are statistically less likely to attend post-secondary education.

    Finally, inclusivity can mean a sense of fundamental respect for others. In other words, others are not judged by certain unchangeable traits, like their race or their gender. Instead, they are treated with respect because they are human beings. For example, students who were born in different countries can set their differences aside to work together within the classroom.

    Here are some ways you can be inclusive of others:

    • Don’t make assumptions. Assumptions about an individual based on things like their religion or gender are a form of prejudice, and they often result in that individual being treated unfairly.
    • Ask questions. Individuals who are different than you will probably have different perspectives and opinions about the world. Ask them not only about what they think, but about how they would like to be treated.
    • Embrace your differences. You don’t have to agree with everyone all the time, but you can often learn from others who are different than you. Try to be open-minded: your differences don’t have to lead to conflict.
    • Consider yourself. How are you different from those around you, and what makes you special? Are you proud of your heritage? Is religion important to you? Knowing the answers to these questions will familiarize you with your own values, and help others treat you with respect.
  • You Can Handle Anything- Just Try!

    You Can Handle Anything- Just Try!

    I am an amputee, missing both hands and my right leg above the knee. I know what you’re thinking, “How is she typing this?”

    Well, it’s easy. I simply bash my head against the keyboard until the right sentences string together.

    Okay, okay, just kidding. But you should have seen your face.

    I was born with my amputations, so I have lived my entire life being “different” and learning how to become an independent person. As you can imagine, there have been many challenges to face as well as many funny experiences. My family raised me with a healthy sense of humour and so I have always felt comfortable with my disability. However, that didn’t change the fact that other people weren’t so comfortable, and that I had to find ways to deal with strangers asking me questions on a daily basis. I have heard everything from “What happened to you?” to “Can I touch your arms?” so by now I have a decent variety of responses to be ready with at all times.

    When I went off to university, I had no idea just how different my life would be. It was my first time living by myself. Even though I knew I was completely capable of being independent, I still had a few concerns. What if I couldn’t do laundry? What if I needed help with it? It’s normal for students to feel nervous about moving away from home, but I felt especially anxious considering that I had a lot to deal with that other kids didn’t. I made up my mind to not be discouraged by ‘what if’ and instead be as confident as I had always been. After all, if I could live independently in my hometown, I could live independently anywhere!

    Things went well during my first week of university. I lived in residence with a roommate and it didn’t take long for me to get adjusted to student life. All my insecurities went away until one day a professor called me into his office to meet with him and a special needs advisor. I had never really used special needs services before, but have always appreciated that they are available to me. At this meeting I was told that with the semester getting underway and workload starting to pick up, I should probably use a scribe to take notes during my lectures because there was no way I would be able to keep up with my peers. Now, most people wonder how I write or type – it’s not very exciting; I just use my arms. I’ve learned to be very crafty and resourceful with what little I have, and I type up to 100 words per minute!

    I knew that I didn’t need a note taker. I could do this myself.  But I let people who thought they were helping me get in my head. I started to panic thinking that maybe they were right – maybe I wouldn’t be able to keep up. Just as I was about to give in, I reminded myself of my decision to be confident. I spoke up and said, “No thank you! I’ll be fine!”

    And I’m proud to say, I was. Not only did I complete the semester taking notes on my own but by the end of the semester I had actually volunteered to be a scribe myself and take notes for other people!
    If you are struggling with insecurity, just remember that you know yourself better than others. Be confident in your abilities, take a chance, and show people what you can do.

  • Inclusion in the Workplace: A Perspective

    Inclusion in the Workplace: A Perspective

    After working in a busy newsroom for the past four years, I understand how stressful it can be to get cramped into a room with a bunch of other people. I usually arrive at 10:00 a.m. and leave (on good days) around 9:00 p.m. On bad days I don’t get out of there until midnight. It doesn’t take much to get drained by that time and it’s the same story for a lot of people in other workplaces.

    I also know that it can be difficult to make the accommodations necessary to placate everyone, especially when there’s a larger team involved. But to include everyone is the gateway to making things easier for everyone – you included.

    I’m not just talking about including people on group projects or on decisions that you make. These can be great ways to let your team know that you care about their opinion and want to work with them, sure. But the added benefit is a mutual respect forming because they now know that you appreciate them enough to ask for their opinion. And two heads are better than one in certain situations, which is why it’s good to include others. To include those you work with on other smaller activities as well (even something small as lunch) allows for a stress-free environment when you guys get to know one another.

    But, of course, there are always those who will push your buttons. I’ve had it happen. Everyone knows the story: regardless of what it is sometimes people just don’t click. And that’s okay. But what’s important to remember is that airing dirty laundry in a workplace is unprofessional and a sure fire way to stress you out along with any involved. Many bosses have said it and it is good advice: you don’t have to be best friends but you have to be professional. It may really difficult to include these people in a project or to work with them but it’ll be easier for you to just stick it out because they’re not the only person you work with. If they continue to cause any serious issues, speak to someone.

    With greater issues like those who are struggling with their mental health, any physical ailments, or issues at home, it’s obviously important to include them as well. These are the people that you work with and regardless of whether or not you’re fond of them or understand their struggles; everyone has their own thing to deal with. To respect people’s individual issues and to not get involved in said issues keeps you at an advantage to be able to work with co-workers and to not carry any extra baggage home.