This is a copied post but it is information many don’t consider. If you were wondering why “empathy” was a search term for newly or soon to be banned GRANT programs, agencies and departments, it’s because DEI is an empathy program. “Some of what DEI is: -ramps and sidewalk curb cuts -subtitles & captions (TV & phone) -family restrooms -changing tables in men’s restrooms -breast feeding/pumping stations & accommodations -floating paid holidays -pay equity & transparency -parental leave (time & pay) -coming back to a job after birthing a child -not having to just accept workplace harassment -work accommodations for a variety of disabilities -flexible work arrangements -size inclusive chairs and beds in medical facilities -belt extenders on planes -various food options for vegetarians/vegans/kosher/gluten-free/etc at medical facilities -non smoking areas/end of smoking indoors -being able to have medical professionals and your coworkers use your preferred name (not just queer people have those) -wellness programs and incentives -more relaxed & inclusive dress code policies -rooms to pray/meditate at work & other public places -employee recognition programs -employee/network resource groups -large print materials -materials in different languages -multiple religious options at hospitals -accessible bikes and public transit accommodations -businesses not becoming fully cashless -company-covered mental/behavioral health resources Some of What DEI isn’t: -hiring an under qualified person for a job just because they’re a person of color -hiring based on race just to meet diversity goals (this is illegal) -a new fad or buzz word. DEI work has been going on for many many years, under different names.”

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I am neurodivergent myself. It is my lived experience as well. That actually explains a lot. Our hyperfocus in these conversations. Inflexibilities. Tenacity. For me, it’s ADHD 100% and people who think you outgrow stuff, don’t understand. But neurodivergence is not an superpower or excuse in his case just as it isn’t in one in yours or mine. But no, I am correctly concerned. Do I think he wants profit? No, he does not need profit. He can lose everything and he will still have a roof over his head, food in his belly, friends, and people to listen to him talk – because he is charming and tells interesting stories. He will never know poverty and has never known it. That’s ok. But it makes him unaware of certain realities and consequences. His methods are identical in every place he works, which is one of the big reasons for my concerns. I know how he did Paypal. I know how he did Tesla. I know how he did SpaceX. I know how he did Twitter. This is how I know he’s doing this. All of this is every reason why I do not trust him with this task. We will get a surface product but he is working deals we do not see because he does that, has always, and will always.

I am neurodivergent myself. … [read full article]

 

I’ve been following this stuff since I was a teenager. I’m 52 years old now going on 53, so that would be about… 35-36 years on and off. I don’t have a comprehensive knowledge of it. It’s VERY COMPLICATED because there is a lot of overlap in different areas. Off the top of my head: You have: – Emancipated youth – Runaway youth – Homeless youth – Migrant youth – Sex trafficked youth – Sex trafficked adults – Sex workers (adults) Then you have various agencies: – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees the Runaway and Homeless Youth program,: – The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness also reports on youth homelessness as part of the overall homelessness statistics in the country. -The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) leads federal efforts to combat human trafficking and collects data on reported cases. – The DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime tracks the number of -victims served through federally-funded programs. – The Department of Homeland Security also collects data on human trafficking investigations and arrests. – Non-profit organizations like the Polaris Project operate hotlines and publish annual reports on human trafficking trends. THEN you have state, county and local police agencies that do THEIR own thing too. THEN you have politicians, movie makers, organizations that make profit, non-profit and for-profit foster care, religious organizations that move children around from family to family, missionary religions that ’employ’ volunteer children to ‘spread the word’ in exchange for food and clothing and shelter who are invisible children, etc. and with all of that, there is often a lot OVERLAP in statistics. So much overlap. And to make it harder, a lot of these agencies, whether government or non-profit or for profit, have to keep the statistics high in order to maintain funding or public buy-in so that the public won’t lose interest and their programs lose funding etc, complicating things.

I’ve been following this … [read full article]

 

Thank you Collette for your poignent and thoughtful response. I’ve always struggled with the notion of “will” and “intent” and “drive”. When our readings came to William James – who I’ve read before in other areas of study through the years – I struggled with The Will To Believe.  I was able to answer quiz questions and discussion topics by answering “like he would” but I don’t relate to it. I couldn’t fully “grasp” it for myself. 

Thank you Collette for … [read full article]

 

I don’t think everybody sees it as a problem. The system that allows Walmart and dollar stores to exist, neoloberal supply side economics – is the problem. I think I did an adequate job outlining it in its basics. The reason I mention those two is that we have become dependent upon them. This is not our fault at our level in society. If they were to be dismantled Tomorrow – the system that allow them to continue were obliterated and all the Walmarts and dollar stores were closed and supplies removed… … There would still be a society that needs food and supplies. This is why I put my big wish of dismantling the corporate neoliberal supply side economics on a back burner : I do not have an adequate whole replacement. Instead I shift Focus to what can be done to curtail excess – I don’t want to see millions of people starve for some ideal that I have that I’m unprepared to see carried through.

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