Jamil Mahuad, Will Haygood & Lt. Dan Choi speak to the masses on inclusion of all at a well known Diversity & Inclusion Conference
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If I asked you what a butler, a soldier and a former president had in common, the average person would most likely immediately jump to the conclusion the first two worked for the latter. In this case that isn’t the story; however, it is instead a story of diversity and how true understanding of inclusion can be told and embraced to those willing to understand global competency for the greater good of all mankind.
This year’s annual Leading Diversity & Inclusion conference from Linkage Institute boded some of the most incredible speakers and workshop coordinators I’ve ever seen. Though well organized and full of plenty of dynamic leaders, three men stood out above the rest and brought many to tears as they wove the thread that unites us.
Will Haygood, a Washington Post reporter broke the story of Eugene Allen, a butler that worked in the white house through 8 administrations. The story Mr. Haygood told of Mr. Allen’s life, which was later described in the book and movie The Butler was undoubtedly notable. For me, it was however, the humbleness of Mr. Haygood himself that struck the cord of souls connecting. Coming from a modest family, raised by a mother with 5 kids with the help of his grandparents, he stood in solidarity with attendees and other speakers who agreed we must unite to include all. He spoke of the humility felt when he interviewed Mr. Allen and in Will’s words “he loved a nation that at times didn’t love him.” He also gave hope to us as we embarked on what sometimes seems as a forlorn journey when he said “never doubt the righteous mission you are engaged in” and “when you give people a chance, you add grace and dignity to your own life.”
Jamil Mahuad, former president of Ecuador was impressive as well as he spoke on global competency for real change leaving us breathless once he finished. His tale of working with other leaders for world peace and understanding was both dutiful and commendable. His obvious desire to bring unity and understanding to all cultures and ethnicities, however, was one felt deep in our spirits as he talked about instances of conflict between world leaders. His wisdom in the statement “ your enemy is not the other person, your enemy is the problem” gave a new lens to which we would be wise to see any future conflict through. Mr. Mahaud continued his enlightened wisdom on the uniqueness of us all being more than one dimension when he said “even the thinnest piece of paper has two sides.” His current work, includes the bringing together of the three biggest religions in the world Christianity, Judaism and Muslim to tell the story of Abraham’s path as yet another measure of how we can love the person and respect the differences.
The panel discussion that included Russell Smith of McKesson and Chris Weiss of Aerotek even gave pause as Chris openly admitted his past seasons of uncomfortability with people of other ethnicities and or cultures . This same feeling, not to be mistaken for racism, but instead wanting to understand what he didn’t understand led him on a mission to make a difference and embrace diversity and inclusion at his own company.
As an added bonus like the gift that keeps on giving, there was Lt. Dan Choi. A Korean, West Point Graduate who spoke fluent Arabic, he became openly gay in 2009 and one month later his service was no longer needed in the military. Lt. Choi, with fierce intention refused to take his release sitting down and fought for a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military. Though what Lt. Choi did was spirited, it was his willingness to go against cultural beliefs in the Korean community and strict religious beliefs of his southern Baptist family that proved most courageous. There are two things we as humans desire most and they are belonging and love; but, because he’d found love and an identity to which he belonged, he chose to pay a heavy price. The approval of his family and those in his cultural community was gone. The belonging he felt in the family of the military community he knew was gone. Lt. Choi through his experience teaches us that we can fight for what is right and just but must be ready for the cost associated with it. He also taught us that true love is worth the price many will never pay and because of that may go their entire lives living in an identity that’s not their own without the love they deserve.
The adhesive that bound everyone together at this event was the unique desire of all to celebrate differences in others and learn from each other in the process. There was no “I don’t see color, gender identity, culture, behavior, handicaps etc.” Instead it was an atmosphere of I do see your difference. I embrace your difference and I honor your difference as you do mine. TOGETHER we build a culture that is full of the richness of the world we live in via our mosaic of diverse people. Our world has never been and will never be simply black and white.