It’s interesting to see what labels are put on us with the sole aim to categorise, and often marginalise, depending on the viewer’s perspective. 

Often in life we feel the need to put a label on people we don’t understand and then that person becomes nothing more than the label.

As people, human beings, we are all so unique with our own set of individual values and quirks. Owning these and being our full glorious self is something I am very passionate about. 

If I was to ask you what percentage of your town is diverse? I wonder what your answer may be? 10%, 20% , 50%, ? Don’t get me wrong, I understand its a very subjective question though maybe that’s the entire point! I often ask this question when I am travelling around the country delivering workshops on this subject of inclusion. The fact of the matter, which tends to surprise people is. YOU are the only “normal” person in this world.

To your own perspective. EVERYONE else is different in some way to you. React differently to events that befall us and see the world from our own known perspective. The realisation of this tells me that everyone but you is actually diverse! Diversity means “everyone” inclusion is the act of seeking to not exclude anyone due to their differences.

I am beyond pleased to be able to bring you my observations relating to the world of Diversity and Inclusion as we are living in days where tolerance is the impostor of acceptance. Those that know me understand that my work champions the values of intersectional inclusion (that means everyone) and hope to unpick aspects and current challenges faced to offer an insight into the radical middle road that seeks to include everyone without the fear of discrimination.
 
I understand that some see me as nothing other than a trans woman.

That single perception brings its cache of discriminatory tropes that we see played out and even promoted by some of our so called “leaders” in society, there seems to be some defined rigid perspectives on the validity of our existence though this taps into the concept of tolerance being the imposter of acceptance. We tolerate the things we do not understand and seek to reach for the label jar.

This works well for pots of jam maybe but when we look at fellow human beings we really need to up our game and seek to understand each other more. As a community, I feel we are getting there, but it is a long old road. 

I have been lucky to work with the National Citizen Service pre pandemic and had a team of NCS Grads on my radio show as guests to talk about their experience.I had an amazing young person asked me why the older generation calls them the “snowflake” generation simply because they care about each other. This was one of the most profound things I had heard in a conversation and it suggested to me that a lot of these isms and presentations of hate & discrimination that in the future, these divides us will no longer exist. This is because Gen X is not having it! The world is changing and each day is a step towards that place of inclusion for all.

I feel that each and every one of us can be bullied or discriminated against in this world, depending on the audience. Until we are all free to be our true selves, we will never create the safer, more inclusive world that benefits us all. #freetobeme
My articles will be exploring topics around different aspects of protected characteristics as defined within the Equality Act 2010 that can hopefully lead to some positive discussions and awareness raising around the issues that affect our marginalised communities.

Please feel free to email me if you would like me to write an article on any issue of inclusion. By speaking about the issues we are able to enable others to think out, speak out, and act out for social change.
 
So, what have you done today to make yourself proud? If you have taken the time to read this article it is a good starting point! Each and every one of us has a responsibility to be more inclusive because I can tell you with a degree of certainty, an inclusive world is only inclusive if we include everyone! We can’t leave anybody behind. If we do, then we do not have Equality for anyone at all.

I look forward to bringing you a range of articles where I will be tackling some of the major issues and talking points. Nothing is off limits!  Please feel free to email me at elisha@ellielowthercollective.org.uk  to let me know the issues you face and I will seek to include them. Then we can start the process of helping the wider population understand the issues faced. Then, we will know what we had done today that made us feel proud.
 
Stay safe!