'DIVERSITY COLLECTION' DOCUMENT-1

‘DIVERSITY
COLLECTION’
My Journal
Jennifer DeMatteo
NOVEMBER 10, 2015

‘MY DIVERSITYJOURNAL’Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Universityof IllinoisNearsSettlementwithControversial Professor, Diversity:Racial Page 2
2. Banningthe ‘Criminal Record’Box Isn’tEnough, Diversity:Criminal Record Page 3
3. VeteransOftenNeedToAdjustCommunicationsStyle WhenRe-EnteringCivilian
Workforce, Diversity: MilitaryStatus Page 4
4. From Fat andSick to Fitand Fabulous, Diversity:BodyWeight Page 5
5. ImmigrationReformandthe SilentMajorityinthe GOP, Diversity: Immigration Page 6
6. I Am NotBlack,You Are Not White, Diversity: Color Page 7
7. LesbianCouple DeniedParentalRightsinCourt,Diversity:Sexual Orientation Page 8
8. Politics,Perilsof MuslimBashingonCampaignTrail, Diversity:Religion Page 9
9. The Real USA - ChildHomelessnessandPoverty,Diversity:Poverty Page 11
10.MSU DiversityServices:What'sina Name?,Diversity:Name Page 12
11.Lizzie VelasquezSharesInspiringStory&Anti-BullyingAdvice,Diversity:Disability Page 13
12.DoesAge Difference Matter?Part5: DiscriminationandSocial Biases,Diversity:Age Page 14
13.A NewTwisttothe BeautyBias,Diversity:Beauty Page 15
14.Race,Social ClassBiasesDo NotDictate Clinical Decisions,Diversity:Social Class Page 16
15.The Behavioral Science Guys|One Simple SkilltoCurbUnconsciousGenderBias,
Diversity:Gender Page 17
16.CaitlynJennerSlammed:Controversial BloggerMattWalsh InsultsTransgender
CommunityOnce Again,Diversity:Sexual Orientation Page 18
17.Love Has No Labels| Diversity&Inclusion,Type of Diversity:Interracial/Same Sex
Relationships Page 19
18.ShilohJolie-PittTransgenderRumors2015: Angelina,BradReportedlyConsultGender
IdentitySpecialist,Diversity:SexualOrientation Page 20
19.Life UnderLabels,Diversity:Disability Page 21
20.On Racismand White Privilege Page 22
21.For Those Who FlyWhile Muslim, AirTravel HasAnExtra Indignity:Bigotry,
Diversity:Religion Page 23
22.‘All LivesMatter’Isand AlwaysWasRacist- And ThisWeekend’sTrumpRallyProved
It, Diversity:Race Page 24
23.How Intelligence ShiftsWithAge,Diversity:Age Page 25
24.EEOC: Sexual OrientationBiasIsSex Discrimination,Too,DiversitySexualOrientation Page 26
25.My SmartGoals Page 27

University of Illinois Nears Settlement with Controversial
Professor
(Source: Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-steven-salaita-university-of-illinois-
met-1110-20151109-story.html)
Type of Diversity: Racial
SUMMARY
Steven Salaita, a controversialProfessor atthe University of Illinois, was let go
fromthe college for his anti- Israelcomments that he made on social media. He
made profaneand inflammatory comments on Twitter after receiving feedback
fromstudents, their parents and donors. The University feels that based on his
comments, he lacks the judgment, thoughtfulness and temperament that is
needed to continue to work for the college, especially teaching a class related to
the Middle East. He claims that he was exercising his freedomof speech and it
violated his rights to academic freedom. The University of Illinois and Steven are
currently working on a settlement becausehe filed a lawsuit againstthe college
for alleged breach of contract and violation of his freedomof speech rights.
MY THOUGHTS
I can understand wherethe college is coming from, because he is held to high
expectations due to his job. Yes, we are all entitled to freedom of speech, but we
also mustlearn what is the right and wrong thing to say. No matter if things are
said personally or over social media, we must accept the consequence for
everything that we say whether positive or negative. In my opinion, if he cannot
control his words over socialmedia, especially if is discriminatory, hemay not be
in the right kind of work. I believe that he should have been let go until further
investigation was done based on his words or actions.

Banning the ‘Criminal Record’ Box Isn’t Enough
(Source: Huppke, Rex (November 15, 2015) Chicago Tribune, Job Section P. 3)
Type of Diversity: Arrest Record
SUMMARY
President Obama has recently issued an executive order to delay inquiries in to
the criminal history of job applicants until later on in the hiring process. The
argument is that the box that requires a person with a criminal history to check
singles out people because it is a guaranteed way to send a job application into
the garbagecan. This leads companies to overlook qualified candidates, but with
this executive order in place, it gives those who have served time a chance to be
considered for a job based on their qualifications. This would push off the criminal
background check until later on in the process and would give everyonea fair
advantageto receive employment. Their records place barriers for them
financially and hinders them unless they are able to become productive workers.
MY THOUGHTS
I honestly have some personalbiases in regard to this subject, on one hand I
understand that all individuals with criminal records are not bad, they justmade
bad decisions which may causethem to change. However, in my opinion, it should
depend on what they wereincarcerated for, becauseif it were something major
such as rapefor instance, that could jeopardizethose that they work with, in
which I believe that it should be a safety issue. Not all criminal activities cause
jeopardy to others in more minor cases, in which I then believe that they should
be given a chance. We all mustmake it financially to survivein this world and no
one can make it in their daily life without making money to afford the necessities,
I also understand that they may have families that they need to support. Itmust
be at the discretion of each company individually to make surethat their staff is
safein any situation, no matter if an individual has a criminal history or not.

Veterans Often Need To Adjust Communications Style When
Re- Entering Civilian Workforce
(Source: McIntyre, Marie(November 15, 2015) MilwaukeeJournalSentinel, Job
Section P. 3)
Type of Diversity: Military Status
SUMMARY
Veterans can often face an adjustmentperiod, wherethe culture in
organizations is less hierarchical and wherethe communication is less direct.
Those with military training can be somewhatdirective when dealing with
problems which can cause colleagues to feel as if they are being given orders, this
is not how one typically communicates in a business setting. The best way to
modify the communication differenceis to talk to your boss, find a helpful
mentor, or talk with other veterans who have navigated this same territory. This
transition is not limited to those who have served in the military, but also to those
who have switched sectors or industries.
MY THOUGHTS
I have not really put thought to this particular subject beforebut I can
definitely see how the communication can be differentfrom thosewith a military
background compared to thosewithout. I haveseen circumstances in my
personallife with my step father Ted who served in the Army during Vietnam. He
is not only punctualright down to the minute, but he also can be more aggressive
in his communication style, especially when he is passionateabout how he feels
based on a particular subject. Their training has taught them to be moredirect
and to the point and I can see how this can causeissues with communication
between a colleague who has authority within an organization and an individual
with a military background.

From Fat and Sick To Fit and Fabulous
(Source: H., Karen (November 15, 2015) MilwaukeeSentinel Journal, Nation/
World Section P. 23A)
Type of Diversity: Body Weight
SUMMARY
This article is about a lady, Karen H, who was constantly being bombarded with TV
commercials that would make her feel that she was overweight, which started to make
her get a complex about her weight. She tried different diets to no avail, which caused
her to become depressed and to hate herself. She said that sheknew that she was in
bad health because she had high blood pressure, no energy and digestive problems.
She eventually consulted a doctor about her concerns and feelings about herself and
she was able to take careof the health issues that she had previously faced due to a
thyroid problem and complications from having her gallbladder removed in the past.
The consultation and medical help that she received helped her feel better about
herself and she was able to alleviate health issues that she previously faced.
MY THOUGHTS
I have been thin all my life but I have faced times wherepeople have referred to me
as anorexic or unhealthy due to my body weight. Society in itself has issues with those
who are either underweightor overweight, I believe that there are biases either way.
People are constantly bombarded by TV, Social Media Ads, peers, etc. that make them
feel inferior due to their body shape which causes people to become depressed or
literally hate themselves for something that they cannot fully control. People are cruel
in what they say and how they act toward someone that they feel aren’t whatthey
consider to be the ideal weight when they don’tunderstand why a person is the way
that they are. Words arehurtful and somepeople have health issues that cause them
to gain or lose weight, it doesn’t always mean that they eat too much or too little,
there could be underlying circumstances involved. Each of us has something about
ourselves that we would like to change, but that is not for others to decide.

Immigration Reform and the Silent Majority in the GOP
(Source: Schneider, Christian (November 15, 2015), MilwaukeeJournal
Sentinel, Crossroads Section P. 1J)
Type of Diversity: Immigration
SUMMARY
John Kasich was talking on the debate stage at the Milwaukee Theatre and had
argued the point that mass deporting the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants
in America is a silly argument that makes no sense. Some people watching the
debates may have been puzzled becausehe is in the Republican Party and they
generally are kicking illegal immigrants out of the country which break up
families. According to the polls that were taken by Gallup this year, 68% of the
Republicans favor citizenship for illegal immigrants or letting them stay in America
for a specified amount of time to work. Congressman PaulRyan believes that
there should be a process for legalizing immigrants, granted they pay a fee for
doing so.
MY THOUGHTS
There are already many illegal immigrants living in America that it would be
very difficult to send them back to their home countries. In many ways, America
may offer them more than their own countries are able to and they haveset a lot
aside to take their chances in America. They are justtrying to chase their idea of
the American Dream and have families that they mustsupportjustlike you or I.
Everyonethat is working whether legal or illegal contribute in their own ways
through working and paying taxes which helps our economy or adding experience
or knowledge. I think that we all fight for the same things to have the necessities
in life, supportour families and better ourselves. So, if we all can add and make
things better for each other and future generations, then I am for it.

I Am Not Black, You Are Not White
(Source: Ask yourself areyou being defined right now by a label, are you
defining others? Retrieved from: http://smag31.com/wow-watch-the-video-
that-s-taking-the-internet-by-storm-today/)
Type of Diversity: Color
SUMMARY
This video talks about how when we are born, we don’tknow the color of our
skin, but rather we are taught to be black or white. What we are taught to call
ourselves is a label, we are given labels throughoutour lives based on those
around us and how or wherewe grew up. Labels are not who we are, because
who we are is not skin deep. We are labeled by society, but who we are is found
inside each of us.
MY THOUGHTS
I agree that wenever really view ourselves based on the color of our skin at a
young age. We see it more as it is pointed out to us as we grow, based on how
people view us and by the things that they say. A child sees things innocently but
those thoughts re changed as society places these labels on us by how or where
we are broughtup, by the way that we are raised and by our families roots. I
mean it is obvious that our skin color may be different but as this video points
out, that is only skin deep. We should be defined rather by the way that we act,
think and by the morals that we have.

Lesbian Couple Denied Parental Rights in Court
(Source: Murphy, Kevin (November 5, 2015), Oshkosh Northwestern, Front
Page 1A)
Type of Diversity: Sexual Orientation
SUMMARY
Two Oshkosh women who weremarried this year were denied parental rights
that oppositesex married couples are given. Both ladies are college professors
and weredenied parental rights to the child that they had by means of artificial
insemination, which is a right that a man and woman are given at the birth of
their child. Their petition was denied because they had filed a request for
adoption but instead they were seeking a declaratory judgment which is
unconstitutional becausethey do not apply to married couples of the samesex.
The argument was that the Attorney General’s office, which defends statutes
against legal challenges was not previously notified. Their attorney said that this
decision had delayed justiceto these ladies and other families all over the state,
because they weredenied becausethey had filed an adoption requestto save
themselves from having to pay a filing fee. They argued that in the Obergefell
case that went through the SupremeCourt last June had stated that there should
be no further litigation over these kind of issues.
MY THOUGHTS
In my opinion on this subject, I believe that a marriage should be between a
man and a woman. I also understand that times havechanged and with that, I
need to accept that people have the rights to do whatever makes them happy.
So, with that said, there is a child involved who is obviously loved very much to
have two people fighting for their rights to be his parents. As a parent myself,
despite the way that it was filed in court, I think that instead of placing this
child in the systemor with someone different, he should be given to his
parents, whether it would be oppositesex parents or same sex parents. The
bottom line to me, is that he is loved and deserves to be in the arms of two
people who are willing to give him a good life.

Politics, Perils of Muslim Bashing on Campaign Trail
(Source: Haynes, Charles (November 5, 2015), Oshkosh Northwestern, Opinion
Page, Page6A)
Type of Diversity: Religion
SUMMARY
Republican hopefuls Ben Carson and Donald Trump have been rising in the
polls even after making statements that havesuggested that American Muslims
are un American and dangerous. This anti- Islamic rhetoric has become politically
acceptable through this campaign and has actually become good for Republican
nominees as they fight for their nomination. Donald Trump had mentioned in a
television interview that if he was elected, he would closesome mosques as part
of his anti- Islamic State effort; when he was pressed aboutreligious freedom, he
said that it depended upon if the mosquewas loaded for bear. Ben Carson has
argued that Islamis not consistent with the Constitution and that Islamis
America’s number one enemy. Hate groups haveorganized anti- Islamic
campaigns, Muslims havebeen facing workplacediscrimination and mosques
have been vandalized. Violent Terrorists and extremists who havereferred to
themselves as Muslims have fueled condemnation of Islamby anti- Muslim
groups in the United States; also, due to horrific world events, religious illiteracy,
changing demographics and a fear of the unknown havebeen powerfuldrivers of
prejudice.
MY THOUGHTS
I think that as with any minority, there are bad in every single one but yet there
are also good. Itis definitely getting harder to define who you can trustand not
trustbased on how the world has changed and in spite of all the terroristattacks
have happened throughoutthe world. Sadly, there are homegrown terrorists who
could be someone that we work with or our neighbor, but if we determine
everyoneof a different color or of a different religious belief than our own to be a
bad person then we will not give the good hearted people a chance. There is just
so much bashing happening amongstdifferent groups, wehavedefinitely become
a nation divided. Honestly, I do look at others in a different way and I don’t want
to, but it is really hard to trust when so many people have lost their lives due to

hatred. I havejustalways tried to trust people and give them a chance, but this
world has become a scary place and I am concerned for the futureof my
daughters, ages 15 and 7 and the world that they will continue to live in.

The Real USA - Child Homelessness and Poverty
(Source: The Real USA (January 27, 2015) teleSUR, Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjINVys8aUI)
Type of Diversity: Poverty
SUMMARY
According to a recent study by the National Study for Family Homelessness, 1
in 30 children last year were homeless, and those numbers haveraised greatly
over the past5 years. Families are a great majority of the homeless and the
top reasons of homelessness are1) job loss,2) homeloss, and 3) a family
breakup froman illness, a divorce, a death or a cycle of many different things.
Poverty affects people fromall different walks of life and whether they have a
job or not. Children suffer the mostbecause they must face their peers at
schoolon a daily basis and are looked at differently if they cannot afford what
other families can based on being poor. Itis generally manifest in racial
discrimination against African Americans, which affects them now and in
future generations. .Oppression causes biases and places gaps between
different races.
MY THOUGHTS
I really believe that when people perceive homelessness, they picture it to be
more of African Americans than other cultures. People fail to see the big
picture, that it affects many different people fromdifferent backgrounds and
colors. Poverty doesn’tpick a certain minority, it affects those who work or
don’t work. Thereis no middle class anymore, you are either rich or poor and
minimum wage has not been recently been looked at, based on how the cost
of living has increased and the paycheck hasn’t. Itneeds to be re- examined,
we are not living in the 70’s and the prices that things werethen. Children
seem to suffer the worse, becausethey are the ones who are not strong
enough to face the harassmentand pressures fromtheir peers, who have not
dealt with the same situation as they haveto.

MSU Diversity Services: What's in a Name?
(Source: MSU Broadcast(September 30, 2015) Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z60tmLEo6M0)
Type of Diversity: Name
SUMMARY
Students from MSUsharein this broadcastwhattheir names mean in their
culture and the thought that was put into why their names werechosen. Each
culture has a different reason why children are given their names, whether it be
based on a legacy that they wantto leave behind, something that happened
during the time of their child’s birth, family heritage, religion etc. When their
names differ fromwhat is common, they can be picked on justbased on their
name, especially when others don’tknow the reasoning behind it. Itcan cause
hatred toward parents fromtheir children for not having a common name
because of the bias that these children receive justfor their namesake. Society
makes people feel that way, becauseof the lack of understanding. A person’s
name is essentially their title and the legacy that each of us leave behind.
MY THOUGHTS
I found this broadcastto be very interesting, because I havenot really looked
at a person’s namebased on the story or meaning that it tells. Although when we
named our girls, we picked their names Dominica Andriana and Jennarosa Gianna
because they are Italian names and my husband is full blooded Italian. So, their
names are significant to their Italian roots. I think that the thought put behind a
name is a greater meaning that the child is loved and accepted, I guess that is my
opinion on how I see it. This video was justquite interesting to hear the reasoning
behind these students’ names. I generally hyphen my maiden and married name,
to give respect to my father’s roots.

Lizzie Velasquez Shares Inspiring Story & Anti-Bullying Advice
(A BRAVE HEART)
(Source: HollywireTV (September 25, 2015), Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRvZ3kRNSa8)
Type of Diversity: Disability
SUMMARY
This video is about a young woman, who has a rare diseasewhich causes her
to not gain weight. She was listening to music on YouTube one day and as she
looked in the related column on the right, she came across a picture of herself
with the title, ‘The World’s Ugliest Woman’, and she totally lost it. Shetook that
moment and instead of allowing the bullying to make her vulnerable, she turned
it around to inspire others. Sheis taking the messageout there on Bullying on
Social Media, which I never ending. Words hurtas much as being physically hurt.
Lizzie has been making inspiring speeches, books and a documentary based on
her life.
MY THOUGHTS
To be honest, I mustwipe the tears frommy eyes after watching a couple of
her videos. I am justamazed at the fire that this girl has and the positivity and
inspiration that she brings to others despite all the pain that she has endured.
This is a great way to show that no matter what anyonelooks like, looks are only
skin deep. If we give people a chance, their beauty within will shinethrough. I
thought that I have been inspired in the past, but this justupped my senseof
inspiration and these are videos that I am going to sharewith my 15 year old
daughter, Dominica, who is down on herself at times. I am grateful that I came
across thesevideos and God bless this girl for sharing her messageand being
strong through her pain.

Does Age Difference Matter? Part 5: Discrimination and Social
Biases
Source: Tikhonrovava, Katia (March 27, 2015) Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryZp2EjL_Vo)
Type of Diversity: Age
SUMMARY
This video talks about the age gap in relationships is influenced by social
discrimination and questions the quality of the relationship they have with each
other. Negative messages are damaging not only to the relationship but to their
health as well. We cannot change other people’s opinions but we need to show
compassion and they need to explain that perception of age is more important
than age itself. Do age gaps bring biases to the relationship or does the age gap
bring on more divorces? The strengths of larger age gaps in a relationship are 1)
less jealousy, 2) less selfishness, 3) moretrust, 4) higher life satisfaction and 5)
have a higher commitment in their relationship. Prejudice and social biases are
the largestwith couples with a big age gap and biases come fromfamily, friends
and social networks.
MY THOUGHTS
My husband Don is 10 years older than me and I don’tconsider that to be a
huge age difference, somepeople consider the age to be wide. However, I have
seen couples where the girl is in her 20’s for instanceand the man is in his 50’s.
With that kind of age gap, I find it quite significant, because at that point, he is old
enough to be her father and I then wonder whatthey have in common. Italso
depends on the maturity of both of them, because age can causeone to mature
quicker to be on the same level as the other. I am not bias per se on this, I just
tend to find such an age gap as odd, but I can see that it is becoming more of a
normthese days and anything seems to go. To each their own, I guess, nothing
surprises mein the way that society is going based on the way that wewere
raised.

A New Twist to the Beauty Bias
(Source: Thau, Stefan (May 12, 2015) Insead Knowledge.
http://knowledge.insead.edu/talent-management/a-new-twist-to-the-beauty-
bias-4004)
Type of Diversity: Beauty
SUMMARY
Ithas been commonly known that attractive people receive better treatment
and outcomes in life based on the way that they look. In the workplace, when
compared to less attractive people, better-looking individuals generally are likely
to be paid more. Attractiveness discrimination is particularly prevalentin
identifying or selecting people for specific jobs or tasks according to pastresearch
.Good looking women are thought to typically have more positive traits than non-
attractive women. In a series of experiments that focused on the beauty bias in
hiring, it found that good looks equate to competency in males but there was no
relationship in female candidates between attractiveness and ability perceptions.
MY THOUGHTS
I think that people who are attractive do get further in a workplacesetting,
which is very biased. Individuals need to gain ground in work based on their
ability instead of their looks, becauseit is unfair to those who have the knowledge
but don’t havethe looks. Itcreates an unfair playing field, but it has been this way
throughoutthe years. People, whether man or women should be picked based on
their education, knowledgeand understanding of their job or the promotion that
they seek. It is a sad world when there is no equality amongstindividuals, which
can grow hatred and ill feelings.

Race, Social Class Biases Do Not Dictate Clinical Decisions
(Source: Pullen, Lara (March 19, 2015) MedscapeMedical News. Retrieved
from: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/841735)
Type of Diversity: Social Class
SUMMARY
The decisions that are made by acute care surgicalclinicians in a trauma
center are not influenced by their unconscious socialand racial biases,
according to a new study.The team had found evidence that clinical decisions
were influenced by the biases in only 3 of 27 people that weresurveyed. Some
examples of decisions that were included and that did appear to be influenced
included who was more likely to order a magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI)
scan of the cervicalspine of a patient after a motor vehicle crash if they had
neck tenderness and appeared to be of a high socioeconomic status than if the
patient were of lower socioeconomic class. Also, who would be more likely to
suspecta woman had pelvic inflammatory disease rather than appendicitis if
she wereblack rather than white.
MY THOUGHTS
I find this quite disturbing due to the fact that it is someone’s life at stake. A
doctor should not be acting like God based on a person’s color or status. They
are there to make surethat they do whatever they can possibleto keep a
person alive and bring them back to a healthy state. Everyonehas a story and
a family that they need to be returned to, no matter what the circumstanceis.
I cannot help but wonder why there are malpractice suits out there if this is
the way that patients are viewed and sadly, these are only a few instances.

The Behavioral Science Guys | One Simple Skill to Curb
Unconscious Gender Bias
(Source: Maxfield, David and Grenny, Joseph (August4, 2015) VitalSmarts
Video. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEHi4yauhu8)
Type of Diversity: Gender
SUMMARY
Bosses can discriminate againstan employee without even realizing it.
Women are judged more harshly for getting their point across in a forceful
manner. There is a difference in a way that a person is perceived based on
whether they explain their intent beforegoing into the content, they were
taken better. Regardless of gender, people are perceived harshly when they
are forcefulwhen explaining their content.
MY THOUGHTS
I can see that this could be a problem no matter what the gender, if
someone gets right to the point by interjecting their content without giving a
brief explanation of why they may feel that way. I know that fromexperience,
I have rubbed pastsupervisors thewrong way, becauseI was forcefulwith
what I was saying dueto the fact that I felt strongly about the subject. I didn’t
mean for it to come off that way, butthey perceived it different than the way
that I was trying to explain it. I have learned since then to be carefulwith my
words and my feelings behind them, so that I am not taken in the wrong
context.

Caitlyn Jenner Slammed: Controversial Blogger Matt Walsh
Insults Transgender Community Once Again
Source: Adams, Chanel (June 2, 2015), Inquisitr. Retrieved from:
http://www.inquisitr.com/2139488/caitlyn-jenner-slammed-controversial-
blogger-matt-walsh-insults-transgender-community-once-again/)
SUMMARY
Caitlyn Jenner, who was formerly known as BruceJenner, has gained a lot of
supportfor her choice to become a women, but with that support, shehas also
gained her shareof disrespect. Controversialblogger Matt Walsh slammed her
for her cover photo in Vanity Fair magazine. He referred to her as mentally
disordered and a man that is being manipulated by disingenuous liberals and
self- obsessed gay activists. Hesaid that transgenderismkills feminism and just
because a person acts and dresses like a woman doesn’tmake them a woman.
He went on to refer to Caitlyn as an insult to women everywhere.
MY THOUGHTS
When news broke that Bruce changed himself into a woman, I was not
surprised based on the stories that were going around beforethe news broke.
Ithad been said that he was a cross dresser for years and wasn’thappy being a
man. I cannotfully understand whatmakes a person changethemselves like
this, I guess I don’tunderstand becauseI am comfortablein my own skin. Each
person is open to make decisions that make them happy in life and this is the
one that he chose. I cannot judgesomething that I do not fully understand, I
justfind it different and a bit strangein all honesty, but that is my opinion.

Love Has No Labels | Diversity & Inclusion
(Source: Ad Council (March 3, 2015) Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnDgZuGIhHs)
Type of Diversity: Interracial/ Same Sex Relationships
SUMMARY
This is not an article but rather a commercial that was placed on TV by the Ad
Council that shows a couple behind a screen where no one can tell their gender
or color. They only can see the gender or color of the two people once they
come out from behind the screen. Itis set to send the messagethat love has no
race. Italso shows children and adults with disabilities to portray the message
that love has no disabilities. Italso shows thatlove has no religion, by showing
that people of different cultures and religions can be friends becauselove has
no religion. Love has no labels, weall can accept each other no matter what
our background, gender, culture, race or disability.
MY THOUGHTS
The messagein this commercial shows that we don’tknow what wedon’t see
and that are biases toward others shows only when wesee them. Lovehas no
boundaries, it is justthe way that we accept the differences. This commercial is
powerfulin the fact that acceptance is very important no matter what. Each of
us has a right to do whatmakes us happy, it is not up to others to decide on
what or where our happiness comes from.

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Transgender Rumors 2015: Angelina, Brad
Reportedly Consult Gender Identity Specialist
(Source: Vultaggio, Maria (September 15, 2015)InternationalBusiness Times.
Retrieved from: http://www.ibtimes.com/shiloh-jolie-pitt-transgender-
rumors-2015-angelina-brad-reportedly-consult-gender-2098459)
SUMMARY
Shiloh Jolie- Pitt is the first biological child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and
has been known for her tomboy ways. Shehas insisted that she wants to be a
boy, justlike her brothers and has referred to herself as John. At the age of 9
years old, her parents haveconsulted with a transgender expert to discuss her
apparent gender dysphoria. Shiloh could be a tomboy and as a teenager could
become the mostgirly girl, there are no concrete answers yetas she continues to
grow.
MY THOUGHTS
My daughter likes to dress in jeans and play with bugs, she is a tomboy
however I would not encourage her to dress like a boy. She is in no way that way,
I justencourageher to play in the dirt but yet encourageher to embrace her roots
as a female, wearing make- up and skirts. I think that they should try to encourage
Shiloh to embrace her feminine side, because they are justallowing her to cut her
hair in a boyish way and dress like a boy. Itcan only confuseher as she grows up
into adulthood, I guess that is how I see it.

Life Under Labels
(Source: Machajewski, Jim(May 28, 2015) Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3phe2sL3LrI)
Diversity: Disability
SUMMARY
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, was a law that was made to protect students
fromdiscrimination due to their learning disabilities. Itgives children with
disabilities the same rights that students without disabilities haveto learn. It
gives students the accommodations that are needed to learn at their own pace
and with the tools that are needed to be successful. Ithelps them to not stick
out as much fromthe crowd, so that they can fit in better while getting the
personalhelp that they need. Labels don’tdefine a person, they can learn if
they are given the right chance, in the right environmentand with the right
accommodations.
MY THOUGHTS
I think that there are too many labels placed on children in the schoolsystem
in today’s world and it can change the way that they view themselves. When I
was growing up, you heard of hyperactivity, butrarely did I hear of OCD, ADD,
and ADHD etc. I was told at one point when my oldest daughter was in
Elementary school, that I needed to have her checked out for OCD and possibly
put on medication. That was never going to happen, my husband and I are
against placing our children on medication to create a zombie like child, and we
refused and let her grow into her own. Yes, we were stubborn aboutthe idea,
but I am not going to let a schooldefine what they think my child is. She has
grown out of her pokey ways and is ahead of herself in so many ways, now she
is in 10th
gradeat a private schoolholding decent grades.

On Racism and White Privilege
(Source: Teaching Tolerance, A Projectof the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Retrieved from: www.tolerance.org/article/racism-and-white-privilege)
Diversity: Race
SUMMARY
This article discusses whatracismis based on a doctrineor teaching, which
without scientific support, does three things. 1) racial differences are found in
things like character and intelligence. 2) it asserts the that one race is more
superior than another and 3) a dominance mustbe maintained through a
dominance over a complex systemthat includes beliefs, useof language,
behaviors and policies. Itseparates people of color, by saying that white
people are smarter than people of color. Itcan manifest itself through hate
crimes, through employment discrimination or individual language.
MY THOUGHTS
FromwhatI read, this is complete hogwash, so to speak. People of different
color or cultures are justas smartas any white person. Statistics have shown
than people of color have received higher education. I don’t believe for a
moment, that any of this is true. They have the same potential as anyone
else, I work with many smartpeople of all different color and backgrounds
here at Mercury.

For Those Who Fly While Muslim, Air Travel Has An Extra
Indignity: Bigotry
(Source: (November 22, 2015) TheGuardian. Retrieved from:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/23/muslim-sounding-
names-add-air-travel-indignity-bigotry-flying-southwest-airlines)
Diversity: Religion
SUMMARY
Southwestairlines has been singling out people with Middle Eastern Traits
and Muslim faith. Since the Paris attacks, Muslims in the U.S. have been
facing incidents which have led to allegations of bias by not only passengers
but airlines as well. A flight early Sunday morning was diverted because there
was suspicious behavior by a group of passengers, who werebehaving
unruly. The passengers had got out of their seats in the middle of the flight
and had swapped seats which had created an issue, considering one of the
men had a dark complexion. There have been numerous circumstances with
airlines that have taken place as of recently that have been againstMuslims.
MY THOUGHTS
I can see how this has been an issue, not only after 9/11 but also in light of
the recent attacks. People are on high alert of any suspicious behavior of any
kind or what they deem to be out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, itis unfair
to those who are not associated with terroristgroups. Itis difficult to truly
know who you can trust and who you cannot.

‘All Lives Matter’ Is and Always Was Racist- And This
Weekend’s Trump Rally Proved It
Bry, Dave(November 25, 2015) TheGuardian. Retrieved from:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/23/all-lives-matter-
racist-trump-weekend-campaign-rally-proved-it)
Diversity: Race
SUMMARY
A black protestor was beaten and dragged out of a speech that Donald
Trump had in Alabama on Saturday. This hampers public discourseabout
racismin America, regarding all lives matter. This man was wearing a t- shirt
that said ‘All Black Lives Matter’, which has been taken as a racial slogan.
Languagedoesn’t happen in a vacuumand words and phrases bounceoff
other words or phrases.
MY THOUGHTS
I was at one point leaning a little toward finding more about Donald Trump,
but in light of recent news that I haveread, I havegreatly changed any
further thoughts. I don’tthink that it was in any way right that this man was
treated this way. In my opinion, all lives matter, we all have feelings and
bleed red blood. There is justso much hate in this world, it is sad. Itconcerns
me about the future of this world.

How Intelligence Shifts With Age
(Source: Pinker, Susan (July 29, 2015) TheWall Street Journal. Retrieved from:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-intelligence-shifts-with-age-1438179331)
Diversity: Age
SUMMARY
With the change in technology, seniors are moving with the changes more.
They are getting comfortablewith learning how to usesmartphones, tablets,
computers, etc. People have assumed that as a person gets older, they slow
down. This article points out that as there are different ages that we develop
different cognitive abilities. The saying, as a person gets older, they get wiser
because they havebeen through different things that the younger generation has
not done or seen. As a matter of fact, an older person’s vocabulary continues to
grow, and given the way that we define intelligence, as people grow and age, they
get smarter.
MY THOUGHTS
The younger generation tends to look at older folks as forgetfuland slow, but
this isn’talways the case. Older people who keep their minds busy, continue to
learn. Older people are keeping quite active, whether it be working out, running,
going to school, etc. I don’t believe that this is a way to base each individual, in
regards to their cognitive development changing in the direction of total
forgetfulness. I think that if a person, no matter their age continues to learn and
keeps themselves busy, they will continue to exercise their brain and the results
will be positive.

EEOC: Sexual Orientation Bias Is Sex Discrimination, Too
(Source: (July 17, 2015) NationalCenter for Transgender Equality. Retrieved
from: http://www.transequality.org/blog/eeoc-sexual-orientation-bias-is-
sex-discrimination-too)
Diversity: Sexual Orientation
SUMMARY
The US Equal EmploymentOpportunity Commission has ruled that
discrimination based on sexual orientation also constitutes sex discrimination
under Title VII of theCivil Rights Act of 1964. TheEEOC has explained that bias
that is based on sexual orientation amounts to bias that is based on a person’s
gender as well as the gender of their partners or potential partners. Itis also
based on assumptions aboutwho men or women should date, marry, or be
attracted to. The argumenthas been that gender identity, but not sexual
orientation, is covered by Title VII and that other sexdiscrimination laws have
been asserted sometimes as a reason to cut gender identity out of LGBT
nondiscrimination bills, whether they are at the state or local level.
MY THOUGHTS
I think that this subjectin general has been looked at more now than ever. I
see more gay people or transgender gender people coming out of the closet,
so to speak. They are being moresupported by differentgroups such as the
LGBT. I still believe that there are many hate crimes presented against them
because people fear the unknown or things that they don’t fully understand.
However, choices need to be left to each of us on an individual basis, we
cannot live our lives through another person, and wejustneed to supportor
try to understand them. No matter their sexual preference, we need to see the
person for who they truly are within their heart.

MY SMART GOALS
1) To build my cultural awareness, I willattend the Greek Festin
Summer 2016.
2) To build my cultural awareness, I willattend my friend Dora’s
daughter, Lupita’s Quinceanera in June 2016
3) To build my cultural awareness, I willtalk to my friend at work,
Brigette, who is fromColumbia. I will talk to her about the
differences in our cultures this week while I am working with her.

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