Kyle Wilberts’ Post

It is not a fair representation.

Having just re-submitted my thesis as a journal article for publication, I thought I would celebrate by sharing with my network a presentation I gave this past February on how minorities experience Citizens' Assemblies. My presentation focuses on the French Convention on the End of Life and delves into how minority representation, identity, and power have to be considered prior to a deliberative exercise and how it functions. A more in-depth analysis should be available soon in the form of an article! #citizensassemblies https://lnkd.in/eF_9uPNw

In my opinion, this goes beyond "representation matters." While there is significant power in being seen, often allowing individuals to coexist without code-switching, we know that representation doesn’t always equate to inclusion and equity. It can be tokenistic and performative, with equity-seeking individuals occupying positions where they lack voice and autonomy. I sincerely believe this is about teaching and modeling values, as the saying goes, “charity begins at home.” Some children are subliminally socialized to believe that those who are darker than them are neither smart nor beautiful. Sadly, some parents see nothing wrong with this mindset and feel proud of their children's confidence and intelligence. When children are not taught, they create their own meanings and conclusions. Growing up in Zimbabwe, I saw few non-mélanated people, but my grandmother instilled in me the principles of Ubuntu. She emphasized that everyone is beautiful and equal, which is why we never referred to those who helped us as maids or garden boys. Instead, we called them aunts and uncles—family members who often returned to express gratitude and appreciation. It’s our responsibility as parents and caregivers to be intentional. If you asked my daughter, she would say that all dolls are beautiful in their own way and that God didn’t create anyone ugly, even if they are different. She understands that there are no inherently Black or White people; rather, there are Mélanated individuals of African descent who are racialized as Black and melanin-deficient individuals who are racialized as White. I didn't teach her to place value on skin color, nor did I promote colorblindness; I simply refused to perpetuate the racial lies that drive racism. As I continue to parent, teach, and grow, I recognize the importance of unlearning and relearning. Thank you, Steve Jones, for sharing.

Now in its fourth year, the latest report from #KPMGBLC and the Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) finds that the majority of #Fortune1000 companies still do not have Latino representation on their #boardsofdirectors. Learn more in the report.

Access Matters / Representation Matters When Access is accompanied by Representation we find New Stories and New Possibilities. @LymanAllynArtMuseum photo-creds @mattiaslundblad #UpFromTheAsphalt #accessandrepresentation #accessmatters #representationmatters #newstories #newpossibilities

Breaking Barriers- Empowering Diversity in NRL-Inspiring Representation on the Field

Now in its fourth year, the latest report from #KPMGBLC and the Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) finds that the majority of #Fortune1000 companies still do not have Latino representation on their #boardsofdirectors. Learn more in the report. #RepresentationMatters #DiversityInTheWorkplace #DEI

Breaking Barriers- Empowering Diversity in NRL-Inspiring Representation on the Field

Did you know that our beloved Council of Europe turns 75 years in 2024? A lot of UNITED History is connected to this leading institution in #democracy, #humanrights and #ruleoflaw. It's weird to think that we have had such an institution for only 75 years of our common history, nonetheless it's an important reminder that even though the journey of rights is usually long, those leading to their loss can proceed steadily. For this reason we should use our time and space to monitor the processes that may lead us backwards, taking advantage of the lessons of history.

🇫🇷 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬: 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫. Last week, France introduced a national bill aimed at preventing hair discrimination in the workplace. You might wonder 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲?! 👩🏿🦱 For many Black people, hair discrimination remains a serious issue: Take Aboubakar Touré, an Air France flight attendant who, in 2012, was barred from his job for wearing locs. After a 𝐭𝐞𝐧-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞, which went to France's highest court, he finally won his case. 🌎 While this is an individual example, the problem is much broader, as a recent US study shows: - Afro hair is 2.5 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. - 𝐓𝐰𝐨-𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰. - 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 20% of Black women aged between 25 and 34 have been 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫. It’s sad that we need a law for this, but we definitely do. After 23 US states have already introduced a similar bill, I'm thrilled to see France taking the pioneering role in Europe. By the way – this law of course forbids the discrimination of ALL hair types and styles. Afro or straight, braids or curls. 🤎