People have told us they're using our sisterly banter to start conversations with others (family, friends, and even in classrooms), so Black created "Conversation Starters".
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Growing up on Long Island in a Jewish home, I didn’t think
twice about my best friend (who’s still a close friend) being Italian, although
we did have different cultural and religious beliefs. And although we lived close to New York City,
it wasn’t until I went to college in North Carolina that I met a Black person
(and a Southerner, no less). She and I
quickly became good friends and laughed at the fact we had the same last name,
but that’s where the similarities ended. Yet, I had never really thought about
diversity,
or to be honest, even heard of the term, until you had us working on
Career & Technology Education
(CTE) curriculum, and we did a soft skills worksheet
on it. That’s when I discovered that
“diversity” was actually a “thing”, although lately, it seems to have become a
political
topic
.
But once I was aware of it, I realized how much I learned from being friends with people who have different perspectives and experiences than I do. Of course, having a sister who at times seems more like a Vulcan, likes to push me outside my comfort zone, and makes me look at things from different viewpoints, has made me a better person – both in terms of newfound knowledge as well as a greater appreciation for how and why others may see things differently . |
| Vulcan or otherwise, there were things to learn from Spock, which highlights the importance of diversity. In the broadest context, diversity introduces us to unique experiences and perspectives. In the workplace, it is often referred to as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), but I will stick with diversity (for now), which includes not only race, sex, and age, but also gender and sexual orientation, disabilities, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status, and I am guessing there are other differentiators. I think it is as simple as accepting that not everyone is alike. (How boring would that be? It would be like only having vanilla and chocolate ice cream.) And, recognizing that differences are not right or wrong; they are differences. From a business perspective, the more you look at things from different angles and perspectives, the more fully (and more creatively) you will see things, which in turn, helps you better understand and provide value to your target market. I know I said I would not get into equity and inclusion, but I love this quote from Vema Myers, “Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance.” |
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Black
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THE CONVERSATION STARTERS
- Define diversity. What does diversity mean to you? What are its challenges and benefits?
- The concept of diversity in the workplace encompasses acceptance and respect. But that also applies to your personal life. How can your actions and behavior help or hinder the situation?
- Are your friends and workplace associates a diverse group of people? If so, what have you learned from them? If not, why not? And would you be willing to proactively get to know people outside your "usual” circle?
- Do you think “diversity” is seen differently by different generations? Why?
| As you know, I love history, but I appreciate many people don’t. |
| I am one of those people, so not sure where you are going with this. |
| Exactly. So, when you first wanted to talk to me about the history of credit cards, I should have known something was up. |
| Or, at least been curious. |
| How was I supposed to know it would make a difference in my life? |
| Why else would I want to give you a “history lesson”? |
| I don’t know. But in my defense, my husband had just gotten fired, and I was freaking out about a million things, so wasn’t in the mood for a history lesson. And when it came to dealing with our credit cards, I just wanted to be told what to do. |
| I found it ironic since you always tell me understanding history is critical to understanding how we got to where we are today. |
| That’s in the context of world events, not my personal life. |
| The logic holds in both scenarios. That is why I insisted you learn about the history of credit cards. I knew it would help you. |
| Help? It ultimately made all the difference. Not only to me but also to the students we taught at KIPP Houston High School and the hundreds who attended our many student presentations. Not to mention countless adults because most of our speaking engagements include a segment on credit cards. |
| It all started in the 1920s with gas charge cards, which were marketed to traveling salesmen as a convenience so they would not have to carry cash. They were “charge” cards in that you charged your purchase and then paid in full at the end of the month. |
| When you first explained it, I didn’t think much about it until you asked me where, if I had a Shell card, I would most likely buy gas. |
| It was a very clever business angle. Gas cards soon led to general-purpose charge cards, like Diners Club and American Express, with the companies making money off the businesses accepting them. |
| Growing up, I remember Daddy having a Diner’s Club card. I found it interesting you could use a little plastic card to pay for a meal instead of money. It was like magic. |
| Then, in the late 1950s, Bank of America … note the word “bank” … issued the first “credit” card – meaning they were extending credit to the cardholder. And, charging interest if they carried a balance. |
| The first time you told me this, I thought it might come in handy if I found myself on a game show, but wondered what it had to do with my credit card debt. |
| In a word … everything. Although credit cards were marketed as a convenience to replace carrying cash or having to write a check, issuers knew they were so easy to use that many people would carry balances. And, they would make money off those people. Lots of money. |
| Easy is an understatement. But it certainly explained our mountain of credit card debt. |
| Would you have looked at them differently if they had been marketed as consumer debt or financial aid? |
| That sounds more like warning labels than something to make your life easier. |
| Exactly. Marketing at its best. Not only convenience, but they were selling “priceless” experiences. Except they carried a huge price tag if you did not have the money to pay the bill in full when it arrived. |
| When we taught at KIPP, that message didn’t sink in how I wanted it to. So, I told them to imagine getting dressed up, walking into a bank, and asking to speak to the loan officer. When asked the reason they wanted a loan, they’d respond with, “I saw a great pair of shoes at the mall and want to buy them” or maybe, “I want to go out with my friends to see the latest action blockbuster movie and then go to dinner.” |
| Yes, and they all started laughing. Until you told them that when they were old enough to have a credit card if they knew they did not have the money to pay the bill when it arrived, it would be no different than a bank loan, except the interest rate would be higher. |
| I even started calling credit cards “loan cards”, which definitely made an impact on them. When we tell that story at speaking engagements, I know it hits home for lots of men and women, even if they don’t want to admit it. |
| I bet many of them can relate to your initial reaction when I suggested you use credit cards as charge cards were first intended … “You mean pay off what you spend each month? Do people do that?” |
| For most of us “mere mortals,” it’s an interesting concept. And, although it may not always be realistic, it’s a new way of looking at credit cards. |
| Actually, it is a very old way. The original way. |
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April is Financial Literacy Month, so what better time to remember the history – and true purpose – of credit cards? Not as a line of credit or endless funds to buy things, simply as a convenience tool, nothing more.
Let’s be very clear. Autism has no correlation with intelligence; it’s a developmental disability (or what Black refers to as “DIFF-abilities”). And it’s a spectrum disorder, which means each autistic person has their unique mix of abilities, challenges, and ways of seeing the world (can’t that be said of all of us?!) So, as we celebrate World Autism Acceptance Week, remember it’s more than just awareness – it’s about acceptance.
| Did you know that April's Autism Awareness Month? I wasn't aware (pun intended) of it until I read our local homeowner's monthly newsletter and it caught my eye. |
| Actually, last month the founding organization, the Autism Society, changed "Awareness" to "Acceptance" to foster inclusivity, as knowing about something is very different from accepting it. But I am guessing that is not the point of this call. |
| Although it isn't autism, it reminded me of years ago when we found out that Natasha has learning disabilities. |
| I think you mean DIFF-abilities. |
| Of course, that's another thing I remember. I was focused on the negative aspects of her diagnosis until you asked me, point-blank, "Why are they called disabilities?" And proceeded to explain that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. |
| Exactly! Imagine the world if everyone excelled at math, but flunked English. Or, a world of lawyers, but no musicians. Some people are better at social skills, while others excel at handling technical data. Why not just say that people who have different skillsets and abilities have DIFF-abilities versus making them feel like they have shortcomings? |
| I know that you completely changed my way of thinking, not only about Natasha but about the concept of "disabilities" full stop. It opened my eyes – and my brain – about how just because someone has challenges or limited abilities in some areas, that doesn't mean they don't have different gifts and strengths in other areas. |
| Exactly. Although autism is a "spectrum condition" meaning it affects people differently and to varying degrees, it is a complex developmental disorder that can affect a person's social skills, and ability to communicate and interact with others. However, autistic people usually possess some extremely valuable traits that are rare in non-autistic people. |
| Which is why it frustrates me that so many people feel like those with disabilities, excuse me DIFF-abilities, are "lesser" people. When Natasha was diagnosed, she was in her teens and already had a very strong personality (no doubt inherited from you) and, luckily, seemed to have an innate understanding that she was just different, not better, not worse, than others. I guess one of the biggest challenges is to get others to see things with the same mindset. |
| We are a story-telling society, and there are countless stories of people with DIFF-abilities, including those with autism, that are eye-opening and more powerful than anything we could ever say. |
| Funny you say that, as I was curious to learn more about autism and found some inspiring quotes (including a wonderful Tom Hanks clip) that not only gave me great insight but made me smile. One of my favorites was how Paul Collins, an author and parent of an autistic child, said, "Autists are the ultimate square pegs, and the problem with pounding a square peg into a round hole is not that the hammering is hard work. It's that you're destroying the peg." That's such a great way to describe not only those with autism but any disability. |
| Well, technically, it will fit, but it requires that the diameter of the circle be larger than the diagonal of the square. Basic geometry. But, I understand Paul Collin's point. |
| Talk about DIFF-abilities! Couldn't you just agree with me? |
| The thought never crossed my mind. |