by Truc Thanh Nguyen
There's an old saying that you don't realize what you have until it's gone and so it goes with privilege. According to the Webster's Dictionary – privilege denotes "a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most." Privilege in the world of diversity, anti-oppression or multiculturalism work can be described as most invisible to those who have it and often very visible to those who don't. It is the elephant in the room that pushes against our emotional space, and can cramp our ability to be authentic with each other.
As an individual who identifies with multiple marginalized social groups not part of the dominant culture, I am often very aware of the individual and systemic privileges not afforded me. Recently, while I was teaching a class, my knee literally came out of its socket. This set off a current of events that forced me into understanding, on a deeper level, my privilege as an able bodied person. For the first time I learned a lot about what I had taken for granted both on an individual and systemic level, living in a world that assumes we are all physically one way: able bodied.
My first obvious lesson was in mobility. The freedom to move my body in the ways I wanted, and to go wherever and whenever I wanted, quickly dissipated. For the first week and a half I found myself needing to rely on others schedules for simple tasks like grocery shopping, and getting around. It was hard to have a sense of self-determination and independence when asking for help. Being at the mercy of others—and their willingness to help me—was burdensome. My days had to be planned much more efficiently. How was I going to get somewhere? Once there, how was I going to get in or around? And how far would I have to walk on crutches? Preparing mentally included anticipating the severe chaffing I would get on days that I used my crutches a lot and how to avoid looking disheveled when I arrived at my destinations. There were other subtle messages as people either completely ignored my presence as I hobbled down hallways, stairs, or down the street or they gawked until I made eye contact.
This happened during a time I was applying for and starting new temporary or contract jobs. I felt the unease as they asked if I would be able to "make it down the hall" to make occasional photocopies. My self doubt increased as I wondered if I was going to be seen for my skill set or for my disability. In my first week at one temporary job I would arrive an hour early in order to find free parking near my work place; otherwise I would have to "crutch it" every 2 hours to move my car or feed the meter. Taking the bus was not an option because the closest bus stop was over 2 long blocks away and I had after-work obligations that would not accommodate the often late bus. Negotiating this during the instability of temporary work caused me to look at the potential economic costs of my disability. What if I could not keep up with my early arrival to work or if I my work place did not tolerate me spending over 20 minutes, throughout the day, moving my car? What if I didn’t even make it through the job interview?
I'm now off my crutches and my knee is on the mend, I have a new level of consciousness around my privilege as an able-bodied person. Friends, co-workers and acquaintances that I run into still comment on "you are moving around much better or you are as good as new". While all said with good intentions, there is a latent message that it is better and more valued to be, or at least appear to be, able-bodied. I find myself consciously thinking about how I would be treated and perceived differently if my injury was one that rendered me with a permanent physical disability.
It is estimated that 90% of disabilities are invisible. The temporary disablement of my privilege has profoundly impacted my visceral and intellectual response as an Ally to people living with disabilities. As a trainer, it has been a gift of insight to my own able-bodied privilege. which will allow me to be a stronger, more knowledgeable advocate. It has given me a fierce empathy that challenges me everyday to think about creating a world that truly values everyone. There is value in seeing our own privileges. It allows us to be more human witheach other.I think they call that humility, and that is a bottom line that is priceless.
Truc Nguyen became an EDS Associate in 2008.Born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in the suburbs of Connecticut, Truc has over 10 years’ experience as a facilitator and trainer in anti-oppression, domestic violence, organizational development, personal safety, and physical self defense.
Calendar of Events
July 9-25 Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication. Portland, Oregon. The SIIC atmosphere is inclusive—all participants should expect that their cultural differences will be appreciated and that there will be interest in mutual learning about those differences. Learners can anticipate a lively week (or two, or three) of intense engagement with intercultural issues and resources—networking, reading, researching, listening, asking, and delighting in the company of diverse but similarly dedicated professionals. We hope you are able to join us for what again promises to be a unique and significant learning opportunity. For information about the classes and registration, go to www.intercultural.org.
October 22-26, SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Educators, Trainers and Researchers) congress in Granada, Spain. Expect to immerse yourself in a unique congress experience, vibrant through the variety of cultures, perspectives and professions represented. Session tracks are tailored to your professional needs as a business leader, human resource manager, academic researcher, professor, teacher, experienced or novice interculturalist, NGO professional or government representative. Both Donna Stringer and Elmer Dixon (EDS President and Vice President respectively, will be making presentations with international colleagues at this Congress. For more information visit: www.sietarglobal2008.org.
Celebration & Recognition:
- July 4th is Independence Day (USA): the Declaration of Independence was signed on this day in 1776. This proclaimed the independence of the 13 colonies from allegiance to the British Crown and the dissolution of all political ties with Great Britain for the European settlers.
- August 7th: National Night Out (USA) begun in 1998, is a fun and low-key way to fight crime by meeting your neighbors through a barbecue, ice cream social, or other function.
- October: is National Disability awareness month.
People:
Steve Novick is an example of overcoming a disability. He was born with significant physical disabilities which include a missing left hand and missing fibula bones in his legs. As a result he uses a hook prosthesis and stands approximately 4'9" tall. His unusual physicality has prompted him to use the slogan "The Fighter with the Hard Left Hook." His levity about his physical stature has drawn both positive and negative reviews from the press.
Recently running a great race for U.S. Senate, Steve Novick is best known as the EPA lawyer who sued Occidental Chemical for polluting the Love Canal and got a $129 million settlement in 1995. He was emerging as the odds-on favorite heading into the May 20 primary but would eventually lose out to a rival candidate. Analysts credited his good run with his quick wit, sense of humor, and unorthodox campaign. Visit Youtube to see some Steve's Politics as (Un)usual ads: To Tell the Truth and A Beer with Steve
In 1977, after low funding caused Novick's junior high school to close, he enrolled at the University of Oregon. After graduating at age 18, he attended Harvard Law School, earning a law degree at age 21. For more information see a recent article from Fortune Magazine.
Steve Hanamura: If you have spent any time in the world of diversity training and consulting you have probably heard of Steve Hanamura. He is president of Hanamura Consulting, Inc., and has over 30 years’ experience in the consulting, training, and speaking profession. He has also written many journal articles, was a contributing author to Valuing Differences, and is the author of In Search of Vision, published by Global Insights in 2000. He has served as past president for the Portland chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. Listed in Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, Hanamura is also a member of the Diversity Collegium, a think tank of diversity professionals.
Steve has been legally blind since birth. Among his professional honors is the Meritorious Service Award for the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. He was named Multi-Cultural Network Trainer of the Year by the American Society for Training and Development. Steve is an avid runner, has completed marathons, and was privileged to be one of the Torchbearers for the 1996 Olympics.
He has contributed greatly to the field of diversity and inclusion as well as to the larger community, and is an inspiration to all of us.
New at EDS
Concerned about Generational Differences? EDS has developed a fast-paced, interactive course on generational differences. The class can be 1-3 days. For more information contact Donna Stringer.
Dr. Karen S. Gunn, an EDS Associated and a tenured psychology professor at Santa Monica College, is honored as one of six faculty members selected to attend the 2008 Salzburg Global Seminar International Study Program (ISP) for Faculty and Administrators. The Salzburg is a non-governmental, independent organization with a Board of Directors drawn from diverse regions, backgrounds and areas of expertise. The International Study Program affords participants the opportunity to learn from leaders involved in various aspects of international engagement and involvement; political, social, environmental, educational, humanitarian. The objective is to expand understanding, awareness and skills with respect to global issues that can be applied in classrooms, training programs, community and campus life. The seminar setting is the historic Salzburg , Austria castle – Schloss Leopoldskron facility. Dr. Gunn's achievement is a great example of the high quality of EDS Associates and we congratulate her on this achievement.
Dr. Donna Stringer, President of EDS, has collaborated with three other women to edit a book entitled: Voices for Change: Women's Words to Politicians. Women from every region of the United States have contributed to this timely discourse from the most powerful subsection of the American electorate. Each contributor was asked to identify a single word that represents her hope or vision for the United States and then to write an essay explaining why she selected that word. The book is intended to raise issues of concern to women in this historical election year. The book will be released in July, 2008. Watch our next newsletter for how to order.
The numbers tell the story:
- Studies show that 2/3 of the disability population wants to and can work.
- Yet only one half of 1% of those receiving public disability benefits (SSI/SSDI/Medicaid and Medicare) ever return to work.
- Between 1990 and 1999, the federal outlay for these public benefits grew from $3.21 billion to $5.85 billion each month. Low employment among people with disabilities imposes costs not only on disabled jobseekers, but on American taxpayers
Against this backdrop:
- Between now and 2015, as the Baby Boom generation retires, American industry will need between 10 and 15 million new workers.
- Research shows that people with disabilities have lower rates of turnover and absenteeism and 70% of workplace accommodations can be made for less than $500.
- The ingenuity and problem solving skills of people who spend their lives adapting to challenges in their environment are assets that can be trained towards high productivity in the workforce.
(taken from: From the National Organization on Disability)
Kudos for Best Practices for Diversity
Local Small Business and PepsiCo Collaborate to win Major Business Award
Seattle, WA (June 27, 2008)
Executive Diversity Services, Inc.(EDS), in partnership with Pepsico International, Training Management Corporation (TMC in Princeton, New Jersey), and Domino Perspectives (Galway, Ireland) has won an Excellence in Practice citation from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). The citation was granted for their entry Building a Globally Inclusive Organization in ASTD's Excellence in Practice competition.
Read More...
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Quotes to live by...
DiversityINC recently published a short article following there theme of "things you should never say." The following are seven things you should not say to people with disabilities:
- "What's wrong/what happened?" or "Were you born that way?"
- "Oh, if you just have faith, you can be healed."
- Speaking slowly or loudly to someone who is in a wheelchair.
- "I don't even think of you as a person with a disability."
- "How do you go to the bathroom?"
- "But you look so good."
- "Oh, you're here, you must feel better."
For the complete article visit: http://www.diversityinc.com/public/3382.cfm.
Films Involving Disabilities: is a UK site that presents a detailed list of over 2,500 feature films which involve in one way or another various disabilities. It is directed to teachers, students and anyone who has an interest in how disability is represented in films.
The first page of the site offers a categories list including blindness, amnesia, cancer, deafness, mental disability and more. Each category takes you to a page listing both major and minor films and each film is either reviewed or includes a summary and links to further information.
A great resource to increase one's knowledge and understanding of the triumphs and challenges people with disabilities encounter in their daily life: http://www.disabilityfilms.co.uk/
Best Practices: a great list of resources provided by the National Organization on Disability: http://www.nod.org/Resources/PDFs/best_practices.pdf
Reel Reviews
The Gillian Film is a moving portrait of an exceptional young woman who works at a local veterinary clinic, rides horses, takes dance classes, and is developmentally disabled. When Gillian decides to move out of the house, her mother must come to terms with letting go. Learn more about the film at: www.thegillianfilm.com (taken from http://www.disabilityfilms.co.uk).
The Music Within is based on a true story, of Richard Pimentel, a brilliant public speaker with a troubled past, who returns from Vietnam severely hearing-impaired and finds a new purpose in his landmark efforts on behalf of Americans with disabilities. Michael Sheen plays Pimentel's best friend, Art Honeyman, whose portrayal of a genius with cerebral palsy is “painfully accurate” and an “accurate representations of the disease.” The movie was recently release on DVD.
Dwarfs Don't Live in Doll Houses (1988) by Angela Muir VanEtten. Born and raised in New Zealand , Angela Muir Van Etten is an attorney residing in NY and working as a legal writer. This book is autobiographical, describing the many ways that Little People struggle to fit in a large world. The book is informative, moving, authentic, and humorous. Little People rarely get attention when we discuss differently abled populations, so this book is a particularly important read for anyone wishing to expand their understanding of struggles others may have in areas that larger people never need to consider. (Donna Stringer)
Reading Between the Signs (1999) by Anna Mindess. While this book's intended audience is American Sign Language interpreters for the deaf, it is a valuable source of information regarding the Deaf culture. Hearing people would benefit greatly from reading this book, both in a greater understanding of Deaf culture as well as general information regarding cultural values and communication styles. Ms. Mindess has also published a companion workbook that is extremely valuable for those working with hearing impaired populations. (Donna Stringer)
Feedback & Referrals
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