Diversity is being invited to the party;
inclusion is being asked to dance. ~ Verna Myers
The Rainbow Fund is building scholarship resources for 20 women writers of African American, Latino, Asian, indigenous, or First Nation heritage to attend the Her Spirit Story Summit in December 2022. Additionally, we have our eyes opening for even more experiences in 2023.
We at Storyteller Foundation are committed to finding, supporting, elevating, and amplifying writers of all hues, cultures, orientations, perspectives, and beliefs under the rainbow - especially writers who embody and empower a more harmonious and unified world. To paraphrase Joseph Campbell - it’s not the politicians who lead the people, but the storytellers, and we believe with more diverse representation among our storytellers, we have the brightest tinder for greater global compassion and harmony.
For those who would like to help us with our Rainbow Fund Raising Initiative and would like to understand more, please read on to see a few important points on diversity. Links are also included inviting you to read entire articles and see the latest data. We encourage you to do your own research, too, as data is shifting and not always for the better in the most recent climate.
Thank you so much for caring. Together, we are rewrite the narrative for a happier and healthier world.
Sincerely,
Jane Sibbett
Chair Storyteller Foundation
Why is diversity so important?
When we gather with greater heart and diversity, we…
Reduce Discriminations and Racism
When you experience or see more of something, it will become normal. Putting biology aside and have an example. When you first see a polar bear in Africa, you may find it strange because it is out of your typical experience. However, once you see more polar bears in Africa you will start to believe it is normal.
The same ideas apply to discriminations. If you are introduced to or become more aware of a different culture, race, gender in a diverse environment or society. You tend to become less discriminating because of your new world experience.
Create a More Colorful life experience
Our world view changes the way we experience our lives, as we describe above. When you interact, socialize, and work with people from different experiences, you can hear and learn from people. Not many people are fortunate enough to be able to travel the world, or work as an ex-pat in many different counties. Alternatively, we can learn from people coming from different backgrounds.
Build a more balanced world
Extremists usually have extreme views because they do not have the opportunity to understand the other sides’ arguments. Having diversity and inclusion will improve the balance of opinions, views in any setting. A well-balanced world will accept different opinions and reduce fears towards differences. A well-balanced world can also improve the average cultural competency in the society.
“It’s just common sense…when you put individuals with different worldviews together, you’re going to get a wide variety of ideas for solving problems or finding new, more efficient ways of doing things.”
“Diversity and inclusion boosts innovation and creativity and helps to build resilience.” (The State of Diversity & Inclusion in 2022)
“The Academy explained its initiative to push the studios to embrace greater diversity in the next few years with this statement: “Our values at the Academy are based on the belief that arts and sciences, including the arts and sciences of filmmaking, thrive from diversity. This belief, coupled with our mission to recognize and uphold excellence in the motion picture arts and sciences, inspire imagination, and connect the world through the medium of motion pictures, requires a commitment to representation, inclusion and equity. There are so many stories that need to be told and have not yet been told – we want to encourage this across the industry.” (make it)
Even fiscally, in all walks of business, diversity is essential. Financial import of diversity.
We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society, understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences, while pulling together for the common good. ~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Thank you again for supporting our work by donating to the Rainbow Fund or volunteering to help us help a more colorful world of hope.
Quotes on Diversity
Diversity is about all of us and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together. ~ Jacqueline Woodson
Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. ~ Audre Lorde
Diversity: the art of thinking independently together. ~ Malcolm Forbes
INCLUSION—It's amazing what happens when we allow the flower that is us, the flower that is them, to become part of the bouquet. ~ Laurie Buchanan
Strength lies in differences, not in similarities. ~ Stephen R. Covey
Tolerance is not creating characters to suit a particular audience. It’s about inclusion of characters representing our societies. ~ Gloria D. Gonsalves
Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth. ~ Jesse Jackson
Diversity doesn't look like anyone. it looks like everyone. ~ Karen Draper
Urging people to be inclusive is not an attack. It is progress. ~ DaShanne Stokes
I think... if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts. ~ Leo Tolstoy