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Diversity & Inclusion From a Marketing Perspective

olympics

Equity, What is it?

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Often we hear the words diversity and equity, but what we hear is diversity ( having individuals from all walks of life) and some other word that looks like equality. We glaze over equity because we simply do not know the meaning of the word, although a simple Google search could fix that. So, what is it? Equity is simply the act of being fair and realizing that all individuals deserve the same opportunities and resources despite their circumstances, while equality wants to give every single individual the same exact things no matter what. In the spirit of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, let’s talk Allyson Felix.

Rio de Janeiro – Corredoras dos Estados Unidos Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, English Gardner e Tori Bowie vencem final do revezamento 4 x 100m nos Jogos Rio 2016, no Estádio Olímpico (Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil)

If you have not heard of Allyson Felix ( team USA), you are certainly going to hear about it after Tokyo 2020. Felix qualified for her first Olympic race at Athens 2004 at just age 18 and received silver in the 200m, and from there the rest is history. Since 2004, Felix has competed in every single Olympic game and medaled every game. Now being noted as one the most decorated runners ever with six gold medals, Felix has earned the respect of athletes and spectators all over the world. Before Felix is anything she is a wife and a mother, and most importantly a woman. When mega-giant Nike, who Felix was sponsored by attempted to negotiate Felix’s contract after the athlete gave birth in November 2018, things became interesting.

Firstly, Nike cut Felix’s pay by almost 70% which to many including Felix looked like punishment. Felix attempted to negotiate with Nike but in the end, the two-part ways after she called the company out for not supporting her during and after childbirth. Now, Felix advocates for women who are athletes and everyday working parents to help support them. Felix has shown her resilience on and off the track field and continues to fight for mothers in the workplace.

The biggest lesson here is that Felix did not receive fair or equal treatment because of her circumstances. Equity plays a large role in pay and negotiations, and companies are not always understanding of circumstances. While Allyson Felix, was able to advocate for herself, there are many who are incapable of doing the same.

The young man in the purple knows just how important the difference between equality and equity can be.
ANGUS MAGUIRE // INTERACTION INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Inclusive & Equity Training

If you desire to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment, we offer inclusive and equity training on Displaying Empathy in the Workplace and Managing Employee Engagement. Line 25 Consulting would love to work with you in achieving your DEI goals this year. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute call or send an email to ngome@line25consulting.com to see how we can help you.

Keeping Up with the Paralympics

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The 2021 Olympics are underway and just days into the competition the world has been glued to the events unfolding on television and social media. Simone Biles dropped out of the competition due to mental health reasons, Naomi Osaka lost in her third-round match, and Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui declared gold in what is being called the biggest upset of the Olympic games, maybe ever. Needless to say, the 2021 Olympic games have been a whirlwind, and the Paralympics have been nothing short of disappointing. 

paralympics

The Paralympics are international competitions parallel to the Olympics which are designed especially for athletes with disabilities. The Paralympics are not just an effort to diversify the Olympics but exist to provide the same opportunities that abled body people have to those who are disabled. Paralympics.com provides a brief history of how the games came to be and the road to becoming an internationally recognized event and providing opportunities for those who may not be able to compete in events in the Olympics.  

The Paralympics are a great representation of what it means to put diversity and equity first. Diversity is not defined by race or gender, but by the ability of the athlete despite physical barriers. It is through the Paralympics that the visibility of disabled athletes is put on the front stage, and celebrated.  Attached below is the Men’s 50m Breaststroke, where we can see the diversity amongst the swimmers, and how they function in their perspective events.

Diversity Training

The Paralympics are a great example of fair representation based on interest. We can’t teach you how to swim or run faster, but we can make diversity training fun. If you are looking to have an empathetic and easy-going facilitated conversation on diversity and inclusion, Line 25 Consulting is the way to go. Contact us today to get started.