When I was in secondary school, I forgot I was black. In my eyes I was just another suburban kid with homework being my only real angst in life. That was despite the threat of being suspended if I dared to wear my hair in braids and somehow I never made it onto the netball team despite playing at district level.
It just never occurred to me that I was any different to my best mate – the very blonde – Melissa or my swimming pal Claire whose ginger hair caused her as much grief as my own, after a dip. Why would I? I was just a kid.
That was until one Sunday I found myself upon a Pentecostal church in the midst of leafy Hampshire. For the first time, I encountered a large group of Black people who had gathered from miles around. I returned week after week, not because I was particularly religious, but to be surrounded by those who looked like me. Just like many of those present, it was all about identifying with a group.
We seem to be doing the same thing in our workplace whether that is down to racism, misogyny or some other bias. Identity has many layers to it which affects the way we develop our affinities. Whilst progressive companies are doing much to introduce inclusion initiatives, for others it feels more about the optics and less about real measurable change.
Achieving diversity should not be viewed as the goal but the outcome of maximising a company’s performance by understanding the power of seeing a situation from different perspectives. I hope that you enjoy this edition of The KOL Social magazine which aims to bring you alternative views from a range of people who can share their unique experiences.
Publishing Editor: Marcia Degia
Features Editor: Lisa Bent All about the devil is in the detail the author’s research found that, despite the common belief that yoga originates from India, the practice stems from ancient Egyptian civilisation. In other words, the origin of Yoga is from African culture. Read Yoga’s Twisted History on page 31.
