Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the author.
When you belong, you know. You don’t have to be told. It is a feeling. You know.
When you belong, you want to give back. You are not an outsider who is “diverse” and needs to be “included”. You are one of them. You are one of us.
Diversity recognises the traits that make people unique. Inclusion welcomes each one of these unique people. Belonging is an individual’s sense of acceptance within the cohort.
Photo: This is a handshake from my visit to Mexico. It depicts the ancient Mayan symbol of Hunab Ku - celebrating oneness among many/Moumita Das Roy
I have many stories of Belonging to share, from the workplace, in multicultural environments of everyday life - some are my lived experiences, as a woman of colour. Some I have heard from others. I will write them in a series of articles, starting with this one. If this is a subject you care about too, read on and share your stories in comments.
Micro Aggression and Unconscious Bias
“Install a grammar checker in your computer, before you write anything”, the CEO from one of my previous organisations, said to me as he walked up to my desk.
He handed me a press release I had not written. He assumed it was me, as the only person of colour in the team, I was the most likely person to err.
I was angry. I was upset. But I whispered to myself “other people’s perception of you, ain’t none of your business”.
He did not apologise when he realised he was wrong. His pride and prejudice did not let him say sorry to me.
I’m sorry. For his loss. Loss of understanding.
Are you also that person who was called out for wrong grammar in an artwork, even if it were not yours?
Or are you the woman in a boardroom who was interrupted while making your point?
Or maybe that person who gets asked “where are you from” even if you were born in the country you live in?
Micro aggressions and unconscious biases like these, make you feel you do not belong to a community and influence one’s thinking, emotions, and behaviour.
Belonging is feeling safe and valued with all your differences.
Be that person to own up and say it was not their mistake but mine. Be that person to jump in and say let her finish her point first. Be that person to say they are from here even if they don’t look or sound like you. And be that person who knows how to make someone feel they belong.
Embracing Multiculturalism
This is Pam, and her beautiful story of Belonging...
Photo: Pam Case visiting Kerala/Supplied
Pam Case visited South India from the UK many years ago. Came across a family in a village in Kerala living in absolute poverty.
Stayed in touch, fundraised for their son’s international education. Supported the boy through his studies. 25 years later, that is her family. She belongs to them as much as they belong to her.
Stepping up in the Belonging Continuum
Diversity opens the room for everyone. Inclusion gives everyone a table to sit around. And Belonging is this feeling of them becoming one of us.
Being culturally aware does not only mean knowing how to greet a person in their language.
- It is being way more perceptive and sensitive than that.
- Starts with removing one’s own unconscious culture biases and being open to embrace someone who doesn’t look or sound like you.
In my next article, I will share my journey into a new country, a new culture, as a person of colour. Stay tuned.
I am publishing a series of articles of Belonging in the workplace, in multicultural environments of everyday life. Come back if you want to continue reading.
And do share a story of when you felt you belonged or how you made someone feel they belong in a new place, in comments.
Moumita Das Roy is a cross-industry marketer with a wealth of marketing and communications experience in iconic global organisations. Connect with Moumita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moumitadasroy/ or email her dasroymo@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the author.
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