Universal Human Rights Month
1 - Rosa Park's Day
1- World AIDS Day
3 - International Day of the Disabled Person
6 - St. Nicholas Day (International)
7 - Pearl Harbor Day (United States)
8 - Bodhi Day - Buddha's Enlightenment (Buddhist)
10 - Human Rights Day
12 - Virgin of Guadalupe (Mexico)
13 - Santa Lucia Day (Sweden)
16-24 - Hanukkah* (Jewish)
16-25 - Las Posadas (Mexico)
22 - Winter Solstice (Dec 22-Mar 20)
25 - Christmas (Christian, Roman Catholic, International)
26 - Boxing Day (Canada, United Kingdom)
26 - Kwanzaa (African-American - Dec. 26, 2005 - Jan 1, 2006)
28 - National Chocolate Day
31 - New Year's Eve (United States, International)

South Africa's last hard-line white president has died.

P.W. Botha was 90 when he died on November 1, 2006. He oversaw South Africa's worst racial violence, and international isolation, in the years 1978 to 1989. But Nelson Mandela noted Botha also played a role in the end of the country's apartheid government.

Source: NPR.org Morning Edition

“I am not a racist!! That’s what’s so insane about this.”

That outburst by Michael Richards and the continuing analysis of his behavior by clergy, the media, activists and actors has been fascinating. It seems everyone has an opinion. Most of the commentary has been focused on Richards specifically, instead of the bigger problem.

I see a learning opportunity here. It is not one that most people want to explore, but since you have read this far, it is my hope that you are interested in the bigger issue. The dialogue regarding Richards’ racist behavior has been out of focus. The question is how can each of us address our own “isms” if we are not willing to first acknowledge them? Because we were each born on this planet, we inevitably have prejudices. No, we were not born with prejudices, they have been carefully taught. Many of our beliefs and values come from “facts” shared with us when we were small children, too young to question the logic or lack there of. Those broad generalizations masquerading as facts become our stereotypes and biases, when they go unchallenged.

The road to valuing the differences amongst us is a journey. The first step is awareness. Becoming aware of our own biases and prejudices is uncomfortable work. It is easier to find less painful excuses for our behavior. Our past does impact our outlook on the present, but at some point we must take responsibility for our own behavior.

Change never occurs until we become uncomfortable with the status quo. When it comes to racism, sexism, heterosexism, sizism, ageism, etc. most people are more comfortable pretending the “isms” do not exist. Often people say they are color blind, thinking it is a compliment or a statement that they are beyond racism, yet the moment they are afraid or overstressed their statements of intolerance surface.

Before we can truly be color blind, we first must be color conscious. To value something we must acknowledge it, and learn about it, and then we can respect it. Without the willingness to explore differences, anyone who is different in a major way is either feared, or invisible. Consider the current “Islamaphobia,” as an example.

Perhaps the real learning from the Richards’ episode is that hearing it over and over again has made most of us uncomfortable. Great! Now we can choose to take personal action. Some African American comedians have now vowed never to use the “n” word again. Bravo, it was never funny. We can each make this worldplace better if we would ignite our courage and examine our own prejudices.

Ask yourself why do your own prejudices exist? Objectively examine the irrational nature of bias. It is at that point that our behavior can change, if we so choose. We can choose to see individuals instead of stereotypical labels.

Is Richards a racist? It is not for me to judge. Does racism exist? Yes. Can one person make a difference with this huge problem? Gandhi did. Martin Luther King, Jr. did. Nelson Mandela did. They became uncomfortable enough with the status quo to do something. You can too. One person at a time, one day at a time, we can make a difference by speaking against intolerance and for respect and dignity.

This holiday season is an excellent time to start. If this article made you uncomfortable, or if it made excuses surface, or if you decided to judge my point of view, wonderful! You are at the first step toward change. Let’s start the journey today.

2006 Excel Development Systems, Inc.
_________________________
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1. 2006 Excel Development Systems, Inc.
Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP is President of Excel Development Systems Inc., a full service diversity training and consulting company that helps organizations discover and utilize their diversity advantage. Lenora can be reached toll-free at 888-288-8885, or Lenora@LenoraSpeaks.com. Find additional articles at www.LenoraSpeaks.com.

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December Special - Lenora Recommends....
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"There never were in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.”

--Michel de Montaigne

For your convenience we add to this section from time to time without deleting any links. The new editions will be marked with an asterisk *.

Black Enterprise Magazine
www.ctrsr.org - The Center for Sexuality and Religion is an educational, interfaith, and interdisciplinary organization that assists communities of faith to promote sexual and spiritual health.
www.DiversityInc.com - The leading online and in-print magazine reports current diversity news.
www.glaad.org - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
www.hacu.net - Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
www.HireDiversity.com - An excellent site that provides a link between today's multicultural professional and corporate America.
info.monster.com/alliances/diversity - As the need for diverse talent grows, Monster's alliances with organizations focused on specific demographic communities help customers continue to recruit the best and most diverse talent. List of links to these organizations.
www.pflag.org - Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States.
www.splcenter.org - The Southern Poverty Law Center is internationally recognized for its work against racism and extremist groups.
www.tolerance.org - Your willingness to examine your own possible biases is an important step in understanding the roots of stereotypes and prejudice in our society. Take a Hidden Bias Test at this site to measure your unconscious, or automatic, biases.

Thank You in over 465 languages

Listen to Lenora's latest radio interview! She provides an in-depth discussion on the value of diversity and why organizations that embrace diversity have the advantage in today's competitive environment. Click here, then scroll down to the February 21, 2006 episode!.

"Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one's own way to the highest, to one's own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one's ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective, that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication."

Algernon Black

Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP is an internationally recognized speaker, diversity consultant, and author with more than twenty-five years experience in the public and private sectors. As an educator and keynoter, Lenora has developed a unique way of presenting sensitive topics in a high-energy, fun-filled, yet thought-provoking way. Call today to book her for your organization - 888.288.8885.

Helping you make diversity an advantage,

Lenora

Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional)
lenora@LenoraSpeaks.com

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