July 10, 2024 • 9 mins
Here are my thoughts on the current misunderstandings surrounding the concept and definition of inclusion. History has shown that we are better as a society when we allow everyone to prosper. But there is still work to be done. Statistics show that certain leadership roles (superintendents, government officials, etc.) are still overwhelmingly white and male. I have personally been involved in many public and private organizations that have embraced diversity efforts and have evolved stronger than ever due to those efforts. So, there is no reason to pull back programs and efforts to increase diversity throughout our society, clearly there is still a need to "help EVERYONE develop their talents and use their gifts for the good of the community." Do not get caught up in the culture wars. Remember that inclusivity brings progress and evolution, not exclusivity.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:04):
At a term of deep division in today's
society.
We must come together for humanity sake. When
can we talk 03:60 we strive to stimulate
an authentic
conversation on the issue. That affect all of
us in an environment of tolerance.
I eugene Pet attorney and community surgery. Lessons
discover how there is strength in our differences
(00:25):
and an abundance of possibilities
when we stand together as 1 humanity.
Welcome to can we talk 03:60
motivation a moment?
Today's topic is what are we afraid of?
To those that can
and tune in, each and every
session, you may recall a familiar topic back
(00:45):
in August of 2022.
In which we looked at, what are we
afraid of in the context of critical race
thinking.
This will be a little different, So listen
in,
Over the past 40 years, I have been
in my... In many positions on boards that
have had to address
equality and
inclusion.
It was the time of the University of
(01:07):
Florida,
Law school, board of trustees
to the current executive board of the University
foundation that I'm on. Well are my appointment
in 19 91,
by the late governor Law and charles to
the South Florida management governing board. Or even
as president of the Florida bar, I have
always been an advocate for
(01:27):
inc exclusivity of all people.
My personal philosophy has simply been that we
are better as a society when everybody has
the opportunity to prosper.
I have heard all sorts of argument as
to why
it's not fair, quote unquote, to still have
programs that are designed to increase access and
(01:48):
inclusion.
Some argue that such efforts
of inc is reversed
discrimination,
Others say, they believe that enough has already
been done for women and other minority
populations and still others
admit.
Whether they admit it or not,
fear that their position in society is being
(02:09):
threatened.
I have even heard a fatigue syndrome,
but from my
perspective, on the other side of the equation,
I'm equally tired and fatigued of having to
raise the issue
in order to make sure there's access for
all people.
Interestingly,
in all the positions that I have held
(02:31):
during which I've had the opportunity to participate
in making or influencing
organizational policies.
I have witnessed the
organizations That recognize the need for intentional inclusion
have always been strengthened by their efforts
There is no question that many of the
diversity and inclusion efforts over the past 30
(02:54):
years in public and private sectors have increased.
More access from minorities.
But the mission is nowhere and finish. You
can only have to you only have to
look
at the facts and the statistics to see
there is still a ways to go. Let's
take a look. Let's start with education.
(03:15):
Looking at education nationally,
the,
that is the
superintendents that govern the various school districts is
still largely white and male,
indicating room for progress in terms of diversity
in the district.
A recent survey show that,
several data points
(03:36):
indicated 89
percent of the superintendents
identified as white. In 2022
compare it to 94
in 2012.
So I guess there is a slight tick
down
but still at a minimum, nearly 90 percent
of the superintendents in our country,
covering the various
(03:56):
school districts in public schools, or white males.
While 89 percent of superintendents
identified at 89 percent at white
only 3.85
as black black or African Americans and only
0.25
identified as Asians.
Let's look at Corporate America. Only 1 percent
(04:19):
of Fortune 500 Ceos are African American. 2.4
percent are East asians, are south Asians and
3.4
are Latin next
over the 20 years
since 2000 to 2020,
our There's a total of 67 new
white
female
(04:41):
Ceos.
African Americans have had 16,
Latin x,
36.
East Asian,
10
South Asians 22 for a total of a
hundred and 51
of the Fortune 500
companies. Let's look at politics to see how
we are doing as far as diversity and
(05:03):
inclusion.
State governors,
In the history of our country, there have
only been 4 black governors
in the United States history.
Currently, there is 1 serving, and that's governor
West moore of Maryland.
4
governors in the history.
Mayors. Of all these cities in the United
(05:24):
States, the most common ethnicity among mayors is
white, which makes up 76.2
of all mayors,
comparatively,
7.8
percent of the mayors are Hispanic and 7.7
percent of the males or Asian.
The number of mayors that are African American
(05:45):
are 3.8.
Legal feel,
the practice of law that I'm so proud
of, nearly all of the people
of color
are
underrepresented,
in the legal profession compare with their presence
in the Us population. For example, 5 percent
of all lawyers
are African American. The same percentage as 10
(06:08):
years earlier,
But the
population is 14
percent
of African American across the United States.
Demographics
studies from the American bar Association surveys,
in 2022.
The survey has indicated
that they found a growing number of women
(06:28):
Asians has Hispanics and mixed race lawyers in
the legal profession, the numbers of black lawyers
remain nearly constant
over the past decade.
So when we look at the facts,
there's no basis
for targeted aggression aggression towards programs and efforts.
To create opportunities for all people.
(06:50):
My answer to the question I posed earlier,
what are we afraid of?
It is a quote from Melinda Gates, and
she stated,
if we want to include everyone, we have
to help everyone develop their talents.
And use their gifts for the good of
the community.
That's what inclusion means.
(07:11):
Everyone contributes.
And
Nascar
stated. The human heart
is too grand
to be wasted in the gutter of cultural
exclusivity
So I caution each and every 1 of
us
to not get caught up in the cultural
wars
that's taking us backwards as we try to
(07:33):
be more inclusive
of all sectors of our society,
because it's been proven time and time again
as that
exclusivity is a negative for progress,
inc exclusivity
enlarge.
The performance
and enlarge the ideals and ideas
that come to the table when you rep...
(07:54):
When everybody is represented around the table of
opportunity.
I encourage each and every 1 of us
to keep an open heart and an open
mind and welcome others
from different perspectives.
That's when we have the best of humanity.
Thank you for joining me for this, can
we talk motivation a moment?
(08:15):
The law firm of Palettes Pe Schwab is
a proud sponsor of the can we talk
03:60 podcasts, our firm handles medical male malpractice,
wrongful death? Catastrophic personal injury litigation, we pride
ourselves in being advocates for justice.
On behalf of those who have been seriously
injured. For decades, we've taken the lead in
making your case, our priority, it's who we
(08:37):
are, it's who will always be, hall sir
pe sc, serious injuries, proven results
Thank you for listening to today's episode of
can we talk 03:60.
I sincerely hope that you were inspired to
seize this moment in times. And take real
action towards change.
Remember, all change begins with the conversation.
(08:59):
Be sure to tune in every month. For
more fascinating
discussions and motivational food for the soul.
Please share with your friends, family and colleagues,
Follow me on Facebook,
Instagram and Youtube at ken we talk 03:60
and visit us on the web at WWW
dot ken we talk, 03:60 dot com.
At a term of deep division in today's
society.
We must come together for humanity sake. When
can we talk 03:60 we strive to stimulate
an authentic
conversation on the issue. That affect all of
us in an environment of tolerance.
I eugene Pet attorney and community surgery. Lessons
discover how there is strength in our differences
(00:25):
and an abundance of possibilities
when we stand together as 1 humanity.
Welcome to can we talk 03:60
motivation a moment?
Today's topic is what are we afraid of?
To those that can
and tune in, each and every
session, you may recall a familiar topic back
(00:45):
in August of 2022.
In which we looked at, what are we
afraid of in the context of critical race
thinking.
This will be a little different, So listen
in,
Over the past 40 years, I have been
in my... In many positions on boards that
have had to address
equality and
inclusion.
It was the time of the University of
(01:07):
Florida,
Law school, board of trustees
to the current executive board of the University
foundation that I'm on. Well are my appointment
in 19 91,
by the late governor Law and charles to
the South Florida management governing board. Or even
as president of the Florida bar, I have
always been an advocate for
(01:27):
inc exclusivity of all people.
My personal philosophy has simply been that we
are better as a society when everybody has
the opportunity to prosper.
I have heard all sorts of argument as
to why
it's not fair, quote unquote, to still have
programs that are designed to increase access and
(01:48):
inclusion.
Some argue that such efforts
of inc is reversed
discrimination,
Others say, they believe that enough has already
been done for women and other minority
populations and still others
admit.
Whether they admit it or not,
fear that their position in society is being
(02:09):
threatened.
I have even heard a fatigue syndrome,
but from my
perspective, on the other side of the equation,
I'm equally tired and fatigued of having to
raise the issue
in order to make sure there's access for
all people.
Interestingly,
in all the positions that I have held
(02:31):
during which I've had the opportunity to participate
in making or influencing
organizational policies.
I have witnessed the
organizations That recognize the need for intentional inclusion
have always been strengthened by their efforts
There is no question that many of the
diversity and inclusion efforts over the past 30
(02:54):
years in public and private sectors have increased.
More access from minorities.
But the mission is nowhere and finish. You
can only have to you only have to
look
at the facts and the statistics to see
there is still a ways to go. Let's
take a look. Let's start with education.
(03:15):
Looking at education nationally,
the,
that is the
superintendents that govern the various school districts is
still largely white and male,
indicating room for progress in terms of diversity
in the district.
A recent survey show that,
several data points
(03:36):
indicated 89
percent of the superintendents
identified as white. In 2022
compare it to 94
in 2012.
So I guess there is a slight tick
down
but still at a minimum, nearly 90 percent
of the superintendents in our country,
covering the various
(03:56):
school districts in public schools, or white males.
While 89 percent of superintendents
identified at 89 percent at white
only 3.85
as black black or African Americans and only
0.25
identified as Asians.
Let's look at Corporate America. Only 1 percent
(04:19):
of Fortune 500 Ceos are African American. 2.4
percent are East asians, are south Asians and
3.4
are Latin next
over the 20 years
since 2000 to 2020,
our There's a total of 67 new
white
female
(04:41):
Ceos.
African Americans have had 16,
Latin x,
36.
East Asian,
10
South Asians 22 for a total of a
hundred and 51
of the Fortune 500
companies. Let's look at politics to see how
we are doing as far as diversity and
(05:03):
inclusion.
State governors,
In the history of our country, there have
only been 4 black governors
in the United States history.
Currently, there is 1 serving, and that's governor
West moore of Maryland.
4
governors in the history.
Mayors. Of all these cities in the United
(05:24):
States, the most common ethnicity among mayors is
white, which makes up 76.2
of all mayors,
comparatively,
7.8
percent of the mayors are Hispanic and 7.7
percent of the males or Asian.
The number of mayors that are African American
(05:45):
are 3.8.
Legal feel,
the practice of law that I'm so proud
of, nearly all of the people
of color
are
underrepresented,
in the legal profession compare with their presence
in the Us population. For example, 5 percent
of all lawyers
are African American. The same percentage as 10
(06:08):
years earlier,
But the
population is 14
percent
of African American across the United States.
Demographics
studies from the American bar Association surveys,
in 2022.
The survey has indicated
that they found a growing number of women
(06:28):
Asians has Hispanics and mixed race lawyers in
the legal profession, the numbers of black lawyers
remain nearly constant
over the past decade.
So when we look at the facts,
there's no basis
for targeted aggression aggression towards programs and efforts.
To create opportunities for all people.
(06:50):
My answer to the question I posed earlier,
what are we afraid of?
It is a quote from Melinda Gates, and
she stated,
if we want to include everyone, we have
to help everyone develop their talents.
And use their gifts for the good of
the community.
That's what inclusion means.
(07:11):
Everyone contributes.
And
Nascar
stated. The human heart
is too grand
to be wasted in the gutter of cultural
exclusivity
So I caution each and every 1 of
us
to not get caught up in the cultural
wars
that's taking us backwards as we try to
(07:33):
be more inclusive
of all sectors of our society,
because it's been proven time and time again
as that
exclusivity is a negative for progress,
inc exclusivity
enlarge.
The performance
and enlarge the ideals and ideas
that come to the table when you rep...
(07:54):
When everybody is represented around the table of
opportunity.
I encourage each and every 1 of us
to keep an open heart and an open
mind and welcome others
from different perspectives.
That's when we have the best of humanity.
Thank you for joining me for this, can
we talk motivation a moment?
(08:15):
The law firm of Palettes Pe Schwab is
a proud sponsor of the can we talk
03:60 podcasts, our firm handles medical male malpractice,
wrongful death? Catastrophic personal injury litigation, we pride
ourselves in being advocates for justice.
On behalf of those who have been seriously
injured. For decades, we've taken the lead in
making your case, our priority, it's who we
(08:37):
are, it's who will always be, hall sir
pe sc, serious injuries, proven results
Thank you for listening to today's episode of
can we talk 03:60.
I sincerely hope that you were inspired to
seize this moment in times. And take real
action towards change.
Remember, all change begins with the conversation.
(08:59):
Be sure to tune in every month. For
more fascinating
discussions and motivational food for the soul.
Please share with your friends, family and colleagues,
Follow me on Facebook,
Instagram and Youtube at ken we talk 03:60
and visit us on the web at WWW
dot ken we talk, 03:60 dot com.
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