Becoming International on LinkedIn: Life’s Work: An Interview with Maya Angelou (2024)

Excited to share my latest blog post, "Echoes of Love," where I delve into the profound impact of the women in my life. From family to friends, each relationship has shaped me in unique ways. Check it out for a heartfelt reflection on the power of love and connection. #WomenWhoInspire #Gratitude #Reflections

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"🌍 Embracing the Spirit of Equality and Human Rights! 🤝In a world that's becoming more interconnected every day, it's crucial that we stand together to uphold the fundamental principles of equality, freedom, and human rights for all. Every individual, regardless of their background, deserves the right to live, work, and thrive in an environment that respects their dignity and values their contributions.Let's remember that the journey towards a fair and just society is ongoing. By championing the cause of human rights, we're not only making a positive impact on the lives of those around us, but we're also creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for ourselves and the generations to come.🙌 Let's continue to collaborate, educate, and advocate for the UN's vision of a world where every voice is heard, every life is valued, and every person's rights are protected. Together, we can turn these ideals into a reality.We are all humans. We are all born free and equal. I am sharing this photo to show that I stand up for human rights. Join me and add your photo! #StandUp4HumanRights #HumanRights #EqualityForAll #UNGoals #InclusionMatters"

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"Positively, the men’s movement emphasized the need for men to get in touch with their feelings, to talk with other men. Negatively, the men’s movement continued to promote patriarchy by a tacit insistence that in order to be fully self-actualized, men needed to separate from women. The idea that men needed to separate from women to find their true selves just seemed like the old patriarchal message dressed up in a new package." –bell hooks, The Will to Change (2003)An upcoming men's conference I won't link to lacks representation of women, mothers, and trans/nonbinary individuals men are in relationship with in their families, workplaces, and communities. In 2023, I believe we should not have a conversation about masculinity without considering the voices of people of other genders impacted by our collective ideas of what it means to 'be a man'. While gender-specific spaces have their merit, they should include the perspectives of others to avoid navel-gazing and expand our locus of concern for others' experiences within patriarchy. Support Next Gen Men in taking up the torch of Voice Male magazine –a publication that is male positive, pro-feminist, gay/trans affirmative, and intersectional for men, women, families and communities.#NextGenMen #Masculinity #GenderInclusion

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I should probably post this on the day before a long weekend so people can watch in the car in a traffic jam. But no: it requires far too much attention.And for all the reasons that the film describes, attention is exactly what it has not had.It's called "The Red Pill" and you can find it on YouTube. LinkedIn seems to have blocked the link to it. LinkedIn, like all social media, is overloaded with messages denigrating or marginalising men. I know, that's going to attract massive adverse response, or fake apathy, from those that think "haters" is a word and who think that every criticism of something said by a woman should be shouted down as misogynistic although her gender is irrelevant to the criticism. This film, produced in 2017 by a self-proclaimed feminist came at a time when the term "toxic masculinity" was newish. Today, panel shows on TV are packed with men jumping on a bandwagon of saying that any demonstration of masculinity is toxic which is patently untrue but it gets them noticed.At the outer reaches where expressions can become unacceptable, the ground inhabited by *some of* what people like Andrew Tate says and does, there is clearly a problem. But, as the film-maker found, mainstream feminism is just as bad - and far more widely followed. The film is an inadvertent plea for the world to push extremists to the extremes and to recognise them for what they are: anti-social personalities intent upon pushing an agenda that is not what the vast majority of those who occupy the reasonable middle ground want. I'm not going to spoil it by telling you details: it is an extraordinarily brave film by a young person (who happens to be a woman) who found that previous understanding was not simply distorted but untrue and prejudiced. You might like to show it to your kids and talk to them about it. And teachers, who are at the forefront of the anti-man message should think about how they present their message. Ditto journalists who, the film shows, present an agenda that actively excludes the interests of half of the population. That it also includes a valid examination of gender roles adds additional value. The bigots will decry it. The, perhaps, 80% of us who want a fairer, more balanced, kind world will find it illuminating and, even, alarming that we know so little and for so long we have been manipulated.https://lnkd.in/gQvr6h53

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Catching up on last week's Better Allies newsletter (https://lnkd.in/gwj3SPVK) and appreciated the reminder about the Are Men Talking Too Much? website and tool (https://lnkd.in/eKvU6cWM), a simple way to track who is speaking in meetings. Even better, it doesn't reinforce a gender binary!In the newsletter, Karen Catlin shares research from Deborah Tannen, who suggested that women might speak less in meetings in the verbal equivalent of trying to take up less physical space, and that when we do speak, we aim for brevity and concision, use more tentative language, and speak more quietly than men. Regardless of these adjustments, we get less "air time" and are more frequently interrupted than men.While I suspect that none of this is surprising to women and folks who identify as non-binary or gender fluid, I wonder if it is to men? Have you used this tool or one like it? Were you surprised by the results? Did you share them with anyone?#DEI #gender #diversity #equity #inclusion #allyship #advocacy #women

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Hi Everyone!As we celebrate International Womxn’s Day, I wanted to share some ideas on how we can all work together to promote gender equality in our co-working space.Here are some tips for men to support women and address inequality in the workplace:1. Educate yourself on issues related to gender inequality, such as unconscious bias and the gender pay gap.2. Take action to support women in the workplace, such as mentoring and advocating for inclusive policies.3. Create a culture of respect by modelling respectful behaviour and challenging any instances of harassment or discrimination.4.Address microaggressions, which can create a hostile work environment for women.5. Promote diversity and advocate for diverse hiring practices.6. Challenge gender stereotypes and assumptions about women’s abilities and roles.7. Advocate for policies that promote gender equality, such as flexible work arrangements and equal pay.8. Listen to women’s perspectives and experiences, and make an effort to understand their unique challenges and perspectives.9. Support women’s leadership by providing opportunities for women to take on leadership roles.10. Hold yourself accountable for your actions and behaviours, and be open to feedback and criticism.11. Accept and support transgender women and people who identify as women. Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender identity.Remember, creating an inclusive and supportive workplace is everyone’s responsibility! Let’s work together to promote gender equality and celebrate the contributions of all members of our co-working community.Note: “man” refers to all men who identify as such, and “woman” refers to all women who identify as such.I do not own the rights to the graphic below, but I really loved it and wanted to share it with you all.The artist behind this beautiful work is on Instagram:@_miki__kim. You can also find a link to their workhere:https://lnkd.in/e6Nh6thmPlease make sure to give them credit for their incredible talent and support their work.

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🌍 75 Years of Progress: Universal Declaration of Human Rights As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (this coming Sunday), let's reflect on the significance of these principles that declare our shared humanity. Every person, regardless of race, gender, or background, is entitled to dignity and rights. I believe human rights matter because they empower us to create a world where people are free, free to love, free to live, free to make their own choices. By standing up for the rights of others, we contribute to a global community that strives for equality and justice. 📸 If you want to stand with the UN and share your photo in support of human rights: https://share.ohchr.org/ 🏆 Meet the inspiring organizations winning the 2023 Human Rights Prize: https://lnkd.in/gbMyPqBF #HumanRights #UDHR #GlobalJustice #HumanRights75

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#LatinaSpotlight Get ready to be inspired, ladies! Jennifer Lopez just delivered a game-changing speech at the ELLE Magazine Awards that every woman needs to see.In her powerful address, JLo tackles the stereotypes and barriers that have long confined women, especially those from diverse backgrounds like her own. She boldly confronts the outdated notion that being a multifaceted woman - an actress, musician, dancer, businesswoman, and more - somehow makes you less credible or serious in each role. But JLo didn’t stop there.She dives deeper, challenging the absurd idea that a woman's intelligence, credibility, or talent is somehow diminished by her beauty, sexiness, or even motherhood. And for all the Puerto Rican girls from the Bronx and beyond, JLo’s words resonate even more profoundly. She questions, “Why can’t we do all the things?” And emphatically believes, “We can, all of you can, I can.”This isn’t just a speech; it's a rallying cry for every woman who has ever been boxed in by society's labels. JLo’s message at the ELLE Magazine Awards isn’t just about her; it’s about each and every one of us. It's about breaking barriers, defying stereotypes, and embracing all aspects of who we are.#representationmatters#latinaprofessionalsWatch Speech:https://lnkd.in/gm8NUexm

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Here's the link to my interview with Loie Hollowell, which Interview Magazine titled "Loie Hollowell on Frottage,Fantasy and Feminist Erotica".

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Embrace and celebrate diversity on International Pronouns Day! Let's honor everyone's right to self-identify and use their chosen pronouns with respect and understanding.Here are some tips for when you ask or share pronouns:❓ If you're unsure of someone's pronouns, it's perfectly fine to ask.💬 When introducing yourself, you can share your pronouns in the following ways:In a one-on-one conversation, you can say, "Hi, I'm John, and I prefer he/him pronouns. Nice to meet you."In your email signature, you can include your pronouns next to your name, like this: E. Wilson (pronouns: they/them/theirs).✅ Always use the pronouns that someone prefers.🌈 If you accidentally use the wrong pronouns, a simple apology and moving on is a good approach. You can also assist others by gently correcting them if they use the wrong pronouns for someone.*These tips are provided by the Human Rights Campaign.#PronounsMatter#InclusionForAll#InternationalPronounsDay#chooseCulture#chooseCCI

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