I’m barely five feet tall, Asian, a woman, and a senior citizen. Of course, I’ve had my share of unfair treatment over the decades. I still do experience them in different forms.
We’ve all experienced it—discrimination, bias, or any form of unfair treatment.
Because I’m a woman…
Because I’m a man…
Because I’m Filipino…
Because I’m Asian…
Because I didn’t go to a prestigious university…
Because I’m from the province…
The struggle against bias is real all over the world.
#BreakTheBias is the campaign theme of this year’s International Women’s Month. It is a collective call to create a gender equal world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; a world where diversity is valued.
#BreakTheBias can be a personal campaign for all of us, no matter our respective genders.
How many times have we been unfairly ignored or rejected? How many times have we missed out on an opportunity because of a biased opinion against us?
It’s time to #BreakTheBias!
Of course, it best starts with us. Our SELF. Our mindset. Our actions.
How? The first thing we need to do is to celebrate.
Celebrate what makes you different!
Encourage others to celebrate what makes them different.
Years ago, I was at a cocktail party in honor of Filipina CEOs. A friend, who’s a Filipina president and CEO of her own business in Mindanao, was sitting quietly beside me. I asked why she wasn’t mingling with the other CEOs. I’ll never forget her response.
“Tignan mo sila, ang puputi nila at English pa ng English.” (Look at how fair-skinned they are and they speak English!)
She was born and raised in the province and has a Bisayan accent. She was feeling self-conscious and wanted to leave the party.
“There’s no reason for you to be self-conscious. You should be proud. A lot of women here are CEOs of a company, but they are employees. On the other hand, you own your company! Being fair-skinned is just color. English is just a language, which you also speak. So what?” I told her.
We are both physically short, but that night, we stood tall and proud of the things that make us different.
Educate others to celebrate what makes other people different.
This campaign needs action. Call attention to any form of bias, discrimination, or unfair treatment, no matter our respective genders, races, ethnicities, or educational background. Let’s help inform and educate others, no matter how young or old they are.
It’s time to throw out practices that slow down progress.
#BreakTheBias #Celebrate #Inclusivity #InternationalWomensMonth
