Thanksgiving, the Perfect Occasion for Inclusion – Ep.9

Happy Thanksgiving! Our host Melyssa Barrett shares techniques that listeners can use around our own dinner table, or for many this year the virtual table, to better communicate with members of our own family this holiday season.

Melissa Barrett:  Welcome to the Jali Podcast. I’m your host, Melissa Barrett. This podcast is for those who are interested in the conversation around diversity, inclusion, and equity. Each week I’ll be interviewing a guest who has something special to share or is actively part of building solutions in this space. Let’s get started.

Well, it’s Thanksgiving in 2020 in the midst of a pandemic. And yes, I think it’s the perfect time to think about diversity and inclusion, a time for curiosity at the dinner table. You may not have everyone at the dinner table you normally have, but still it’s the time to act, a time where you may not be in the same room, but you have the ability to reach out to those not at the table. Sound familiar? You may normally have multiple generations. I’m looking forward to having four generations at my table.

This year you might have those who served in the military, those with different sexual identity or religious preferences. And I just want you to stop and appreciate the differences, learn how to listen. I mean, really listen to the different views and just listen without trying to convince anyone that your way is the only way. Some of these techniques are the same techniques we use at the office. Think about it, pay attention, acknowledge your own reactions, interpretations and judgments and question them. My truth is not the same truth as someone else’s. Consider your own consciousness and certainly your unconsciousness. Understand possible judgments that you’re making and search for the most productive, constructive, empowering way.

We don’t have to agree, but be curious enough to search for the best way for the dialogue. Execute your action and your action plan. That could be a kind word, an apology, an acknowledgement of your own perspectives or ignorance, because sometimes we don’t take a look inside ourselves.

So with that, I will leave you and tell you to have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Get curious. And I couldn’t leave without saying a special thank you to all of you who have listened thus far and have supported me in this effort. I feel like we’re just getting started. Have a great Thanksgiving, everybody.

Thanks for joining me on the Jali Podcast. Please subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. See you next week.