Category Archives: Diversity and Culture

Part 3: What Are You On?

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We Are All Necessary!

(continued from part 2: http://wp.me/ppImQ-n8)

Find a Place Where You Naturally Fit!

I’m excited about life because I am using my natural capabilities to my advantage. I’m not wasting priceless energy trying to justify being “me.” I’m on purpose and am driven to inspire others to “get excited about their lives and find a place where they “naturally fit.”  The Diversity work gives me the opportunity to help people see “differences in a positive light.”  One of my favorite anonymous quotes is, “If two people were exactly alike, one would be unnecessary.” We are all necessary and when those we work with don’t see that, it causes problems in the workplace.

Find Out What Gives You Meaning, I Did!

What could be more meaningful than to help bring about more harmony, understanding, and respect in the world. It is meaningful work and feeling valued that generates and recharges my energy.   Meaningful work gets me excited about getting up in the morning.  I love the Ah-ha moments that my Speakout, Crossworlds, Climate Assessment Surveys, and Diversity Coping Styles exercises inspire.  In my signature workshop, ‘Superwoman Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ women (and men) learn that their needs matter too.  They learn to “Say No’ and that “No” is a good answer too!   ‘On Track On Fire On Purpose’, well the title says it all.

When we don’t understand, we’re likely to…

Click to continue reading Part 4: http://wp.me/ppImQ-nF

Barbara Talley is a keynote speaker, author of six books, and trainer on value-based living themes.  She also offers Effective Communication, Diversity, Leadership, Time Management, and Goal Setting workshops.  Visit her at www.thepoetspeaks.com or contact her at 301-428-4831.  You may email her at Barbara@ThePoetSpeaks.com

The Importance of March 21

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The Number 21 Is Significant.

Twenty-one marks the time that a youth reaches maturity, can vote, drink, and sign a legal contract.  It takes 21 days to form a habit.    And, on the 21st day of March, spring began and that’s really big news!

March 21st Also Has Spiritual and Cultural Significances.

March 21 is the Bahá’í New Year’s Day.  It falls on the spring (vernal)  equinox and marks the end of their 19 day fast.  It is one of the nine days of the year when Bahá’ís suspend work.  Bahá’ís believe in one God, one race, and one progressively unfolding religion throughout time.  March 21st is an important cultural day of celebration for Persians as it also marks the Persian New Year.

March 21st is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  Also according to Answer.com, March 21 kicks off a week of “Consider Christianity, which is a week to “encourage Christians to examine the evidence and reasons for their faith and for non-Christians to take another look at the faith that has played such an important role in shaping the history and culture in which we live.  It is celebrated annually, beginning two Sundays before Easter.”

However you look at it, this is the season to celebrate.  So celebrate spring and in this new season seek to learn about the cultural and religious celebrations of others.

Barbara Talley is a workshop leader, keynote speaker, author, and publisher who speaks and writes on value-based living themes. www.thepoetspeaks.com

Native American or American Indian?

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This is National Native American Month.  Celebrate by learning something from the original Americans.
Borgna Brunner asked:  “Are the terms American Indian and Native American essentially synonyms, in the same way that the terms black and African American are often used interchangeably? Or is using the term American Indian instead of Native American the equivalent of using Negro instead of black—offensive and anachronistic? Is the insistence on using Native American to the exclusion of all other terms a sign of being doctrinaire?“
One Answer
“As the publisher and editor of The Navajo Times, the largest Native American–owned weekly newspaper, puts it, “I . . . would rather be known as, ‘Tom Arviso Jr., a member of the Navajo tribe,’ instead of ‘Arviso, a Native American or American Indian.’ This gives an authentic description of my heritage, rather than lumping me into a whole race of people.”

Please read the entire article by Borgna Brunner, American Indian versus Native American:  A once-heated issue has sorted itself out where she addresses Columbus, the Census, and stereotypes.
To find out the answer check out, http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aihmterms.html.

 I’m Barbara Talley, The Poet who speaks and inspires.   To find more about me, check out my promo sheet or visit  my website.

Native American Heritage Month

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About Native American Heritage Month

Information courtesy of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior

What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

How It All Got Started

One of the very first proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kans., formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.

24 State Endorsements by December 14, 1915

The year before this proclamation was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a national day being proclaimed.

First American Indian Day Declared in New York

The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919. Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day, but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday.

George H. W. Bush Approves Resolution for Native American Month

In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.

Theme for this year’s heritage month is “Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors .”

Sites

http://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/index.html

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aihm1.html