Dr. Roosevelt Thomas said that “diversity is a journey and not a destination.” I would agree with that and also say that I think the same thing is true about inclusion. I’m intrigued by this topic for I believe it has been around for a long, long time. Why then, is the word “inclusion” all of a sudden having so much press? What are the tenants that are similar to and different from diversity? We hope to explore this topic in depth from several different perspectives.
Personally inclusion has been with me since I was a child. As a blind Japanese person I learned very early the difference between exclusion and inclusion. I have learned how to be engaged with this topic at all levels of life both personally and professionally. It wasn’t until I reached college that I realized that there were lots of people who had to struggle with needing to feel included.
Continue reading » »
In 1993 a Chicago based research firm reported that $4.2 billion was being spent on issues of workplace violence. In the wake of such events as Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine, 9/11 Virginia Tech and Northern Ill. University, this figure has climbed much higher. Although I don’t know the new figure, I do know we are paying more attention to issues of safety. We have worked with clients who give safety procedures prior to any session. They inform the group which exit to use in the event of a disaster, who will be the “lead person” in exiting the building, etc.
Like so many other things in life we tend to pay attention to those things that are tangible or that we can see. Underneath what is visible are the intangibles. This is also true when we approach the issue of safety. In addition to physical safety, consider three other types of safety that need to be addressed: political safety, emotional safety and spiritual safety.
Continue reading » »
When I was six years old, I remember my mother talking to me about the importance of dressing nicely wherever I went. “You must look neat at all times,” she would say. “People will be looking at you because you are blind and because you are Japanese. They will judge you on both counts. So you must look sharp and be sharp. Maybe some day you could grow up and become a school teacher.”
Both Mom and Dad were committed to making sure that my brother, Mike, and I would grow up and become a success in life. They were committed to doing whatever it took to see this happen. In my case it meant enrolling me in a residential school for the blind 400 miles away from the time I was 4½ years old until I graduated from high school. For nine months out of the year I was far from home and family. We missed each other, but their vision to make sure I had the best possible chance to succeed overrode their desire to keep me home.
Continue reading » »
Will Schultz, noted consultant, facilitator, author and founder of the encounter group movement tells us there are three phases to establishing effective relationships with others: inclusion, control, and openness. Each one of these words has other terms that help us understand its essence or importance. The word “inclusion” has as its underlying meaning “significance”. That is, in order to become included, you must first feel significant. If you don’t feel included, Schultz would contend, you might feel insignificant. Webster defines “significant” as having or expressing meaning, often hidden meaning; to be important or weighty.
A few months ago I was sitting in a seminar conducted by Bruce Tulgan, the guru on generational differences. Continue reading » »
In the summer of 1989 I decided that I wanted to run the Honolulu marathon (26.1 miles) in December 1990. In August 1989 I sustained a hip injury which virtually made it impossible for me to get in and out of a car. No problem, I think to myself, the marathon is fifteen months away.
By January 1990 I was still having challenges with my hip so my coach, Kit Sundling, came every Saturday to walk me on a track which was softer than the pavement. It took four months of walking on the track, physical therapy, massage and chiropractor visits before I could run again.
We set September 1990 as our next check point by entering the Portland marathon. The goal was to run twenty miles and then stop. We ran seventeen miles and then I broke down – I couldn’t make it to mile twenty.
Continue reading » »
