McCormick Place Convention CenterChicago, Illinois

5:12 P.M. CDTTHE VICE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, NEA! Good afternoon! (Applause.)Oh, what a sight my eyes behold. I am so happy to be with you all this afternoon. I am so happy to be with you. And thank you for everything you do and everything you are. Thank you. (Applause.)And, Becky, thank you for being such an extraordinary leader in extraordinary times. (Applause.) Truly. Ive run into her in different places around the country, and she is always speaking about you and the importance of this organization and the importance of this organization to the future of our country. Thank you, Becky, for that introduction. Thank you. (Applause.)So, before I start with my address to you, I want to just briefly but importantly address the tragedy just miles away in Highland Park.As we all know, yesterday should have been a day to come together with family and friends to celebrate our nations independence. And instead, that community suffered a violent tragedy. Children, parents, grandparents victims to a senseless act of gun violence.And Doug, who is here with me, he and I of course, we mourn, as you do, for those who were killed. And we pray for those who were injured. And we all grieve, I know, for the lives that are forever changed in that community, including, of course, the students and the teachers of that community who have suffered great loss.And I dont need to tell NEA: We need to end this horror. We need to stop this violence. (Applause.)And we must protect our communities from the terror of gun violence. You know, Ive said it before: Enough is enough. (Applause.)I mean, here we are, and our nation is still mourning the loss of those 19 babies and their two teachers in Uvalde. This massacre was the most recent reminder in Uvalde of the risks that our children and our educators face every day.Teachers should not have to practice barricading a classroom. (Applause.) Teachers should not have to know how to treat a gunshot wound. (Applause.) And teachers should not be told that Lives would have been saved if only you had a gun. (Applause.)Now, we have made some progress. For the first time in 30 years, our President, Joe Biden, signed a federal gun safety bill. (Applause.) And it strengthens background checks, and it closes what we call the boyfriend loophole, and it includes funding for mental health services and school security.But we have more to do. We have more to do. (Applause.)And Congress needs to have the courage to act and renew the assault weapons ban. (Applause.)You know, Ill talk in a minute about how you as educators teach the children so much. And you teach the children, among many things, reason.So, lets talk about what an assault weapon is designed to do. An assault weapon is designed to kill a lot of human beings quickly. There is no reason that we have weapons of war on the streets of America. We need reasonable gun safety laws! (Applause.)And we need to have Congress stop protecting those gun manufacturers with the liability shield. Repeal it! Repeal it! (Applause.)So we cannot be deterred. We know we have challenges. We cannot be deterred.And, NEA, we will not give up this fight. We will not tire because I know who you are; that is just not in our nature. (Applause.)And that, NEA, is why I am so honored to be here with you because I do know this room. This is a room of fighters. And I know (applause) how deeply personal this work is to each one of you.As an educator, your work doesnt stop at the end of the day when you walk out of your school. Your work is full-time. (Applause.) I know that.Students come to your classroom before the day starts for help with homework; sometimes with an empty stomach that you feed (applause); or just to have someone they trust to talk with. (Applause.) Your students look to you to tell them everything is going to be okay, even sometimes when you may not be sure.But you continue to show up. And that is why the President and I are honored to partner with the NEA to build our nations leaders. (Applause.)And as a personal point of pride for all of us to have an educator and one of your active members in the White House as First Lady (laughs) (applause) Dr. Jill Biden. Yes. (Applause.)And I can tell you so I sometimes see her in a different situation than you might, and let me just tell you something. I have watched her go from the classroom directly to events at the White House or across the country and around the world, grading papers in between. (Applause.) So, like you, she is a remarkable educator who inspires us all.NEA, who you are and what you do is also personal to me. Ive shared with some of you: My first-grade teacher, Mrs.Frances Wilson God rest her soul attended my law school graduation. (Applause.) And there are many people who have contributed to me to be able to serve as the first woman Vice President of the United States (applause) but Im going to tell you, Mrs. Wilson was one of the earliest. (Applause.)So, you all, you not only shape lives, but you also shape policies.And we heard you when we took office when you told us about the issues that matter most to you and your students.We heard you when you told us about the fear and the uncertainty that you faced during the pandemic and about the extra help children needed once they returned to the classroom. So, with your help, we directed over $120 billion to our nations schools through the American Rescue Plan with your help. (Applause.)And this funding also led to a new initiative, launched just today, to help students who fell behind during the pandemic, which means 250,000 tutors and mentors across the country will be in schools to give students the support they need and to support your work every day. (Applause.)We also heard you when you said your buildings are falling apart that the school buildings are falling apart. (Applause.) We heard you that air conditioners were broken in the summer heat. We heard you when you said too many of our children drink water poisoned with lead and breathe dangerous fumes from their bus ride to school. (Applause.)We heard you when you said your students cannot do their homework because they cannot afford nor do they have access to be able to get online. (Applause.)So we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and it will repair aging school infrastructure to save schools money. It will replace lead pipes in 400,000 schools and childcare facilities across the country (applause) so that our children can drink clean water. It will electrify our nations school buses so children can have clean air to breathe. (Applause.) It will make high-speed Internet accessible and affordable to every American household.And this will happen because of your support and your leadership. Thank you, NEA. (Applause.)And we still have more to do, and we have so much to do together.NEA, you are extraordinarily effective as a group advocate for change, which is why we know that you have been able to see the success you have achieved. And it is no surprise why, because we know unions know how to organize. (Applause.)I say all over the country: You may not be a member of a union, but you better thank the union for the five-day work week and weekends, paid leave. (Applause.)And I often meet and its I know you do, and many are here I often meet with young organizers from around the country. And whats exciting is that we are seeing in a new, younger generation that they want the benefits and the protections that come from joining a union. (Applause.) They want it. They want it. Because they know what we all know: Unions give workers a voice. (Applause.)And so, this is an historic moment, I think, for the labor movement. Today, unions have their highest approval rating since 1965. (Applause.) About half of all non-union workers say they would join a union if given the chance. That is almost 60 million people. (Applause.) Think about that.But we also know there are obstacles for them to meet that desire. And we know what it is. One is that many people still dont know how to join a union, and so thats part of the work we have ahead is to continue to remind them about how. But even if they do know how, we also know, across our country, folks face barriers that have been built up over the years by corporate interests and anti-union politicians and regressive court cases. (Applause.)Ive fought many of those cases when I was Attorney General of California, so we know the obstacles are there. (Applause.)California is in the house. (Laughs.) (Applause.)And so, our administration, together with you, we are all doing a lot to tear down those barriers.And Ill tell you, Im very proud to lead the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, along with my good friend our good friend Secretary Marty Walsh. And (applause) from Massachusetts.And our President, Joe Biden, accepted all of our 70 proposals to make it easier for workers to organize. And heres the significance of that: It relates to federal workers, but the federal workforce is actually the federal government is largest employer in the country. And so, when you think about it, as we adopt the recommendations to make it easier for federal workers to organize, you will point to all of that to say, If it can happen there, it can happen here. (Applause.)And there is more to do.So, we are looking at the fact that the President and I are determined to lead not only the most pro-union administration in American history but to move our country forward.We are determined to fight for a future where a teachers wage can provide for a family. (Applause.) Because I know it is still the case that some of you are working two jobs. (Applause.) Some maybe even three. I know that.We are determined to fight for a future where you never again have to spend your own money on school supplies to meet your students needs. (Applause.)We will fight for a future where teachers can educate our children with the resources, with the safety, and the respect that you deserve. (Applause.)Because we are clear: When we do that, we can be sure that every child can reach their God-given potential. (Applause.)So, these are the values that our administration stands for. And I think, when it comes down to it, its basically this: When you know what you stand for, you know what to fight for. (Applause.)And so much of what we just got through talking about is what extremist so-called leaders stand against.Since our administration has started, not one Republican leader in Washington voted to rescue our nation in the middle of a pandemic, including when we proposed resources for our children and our educators.Not one Republican leader in Washington, D.C., voted to extend the Child Tax Credit, which helps the poorest students and their families.Instead, these extremist so-called leaders fought against raising your pay.Instead, these extremist so-called leaders refuse to keep assault weapons off our streets and out of our classrooms and tried to silence your voice through your union.And instead, these so-called leaders have tried to make you pawns of their political agenda.Because while you work hard to inspire the dreams and ambitions of our next generation, they dare question your dedication, your motivation, and your value.While you work hard (applause) while you work hard to teach the principles of liberty and freedom in your classroom, these so-called leaders are taking freedoms away (applause): freedom away from women and the freedom to make decisions over their own bodies (applause); freedom away from a kindergarten-to-third-grade teacher in Florida to love openly and with pride (applause); and away from every American as they intentionally try to make it more difficult for folks to vote. (Applause.)We are 126 days away from an election, and we all know what we need to do. (Applause.) And, you know, I also think Im speaking to a group of educators I also think that these extremist so-called leaders need to attend a civics lesson. (Laughs.) (Applause.)I think I actually think it would benefit us all if they sat in your classroom for a few days to remember how a democracy works (applause); to remember what freedoms stands for; and to remember what jobs they were elected to do. (Applause.)All that to say that, as educators, you know, we all know that history has never been an unbroken line toward progress; that even when we have advances, there will be setbacks. In certain times, those setbacks being more drastic than in others. This is one of those moments, but we will not be deterred.The President and I are counting on you to help us move forward as a nation, just as NEA has done throughout its history. Because I remember that this organization fought to lower the voting age to 18. (Applause.) I remember that this organization fought to protect Black teachers from school districts that defied desegregation orders. (Applause.) I remember that this was the organization that stood with others to fight to pass DACA and ensure undocumented people can learn in our communities. (Applause.)Again and again, you have been champions of social justice. And it is clear: Educators are a central part, then, of moving our nation forward. You are not only essential to our childrens future. Im here to share with you: You, I believe, are essential to the future of our democracy. (Applause.)So, we will do this work together because, NEA, when we look at where we are, we know that NEA has always been a powerful force a powerful force whose members understand the power of unity.So, these may be difficult times. And I know that at the end of this convening, you will each go back to your home district; you will go back and you will spend long evenings and nights preparing for the next day; you will go back and often be in a situation where it feels kind of like you might be the only one who sees what youre seeing and understands whats at stake. (Applause.)But lets remember moments like this. And let us remember that the fight toward progress by its very nature is not linear. Were going to have our ups; were going to have our downs.Lets remember I like to paraphrase all the time what Coretta Scott King said. She said: The fight for justice, the fight for civil rights, the fight for freedom, the fight for equality must be fought and won with each generation. And I think when she said that, she had two points in mind. One is that it is the very nature of what we stand for and, therefore, fight for that whatever gains we make will not be permanent.Theres so much strength in what we achieve, but there is also fragility. So, we must be vigilant. And the second point then being: If we understand thats the nature of it its not going to be permanent; it is fragile, unless we are vigilant its the nature of it, so do not despair. Do not be overwhelmed. Do not throw up our hands when it is a time to roll up our sleeves. (Applause.)Thank you, NEA. God bless you. God bless our education. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you all. (Applause.) END 5:38 P.M. CDT

Originally posted here:
Remarks by Vice President Harris at the National Education Association 2022 Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly - The White House

KANSAS CITY, Mo. As KSHB 41 News wraps up the month of June, we want to leave you with real stories of women who are often pushed to the side during Pride month and throughout the year - transgender women of color.

Statistically, they experience more violence than other members of the LGBTQ+ community, and too often their lives are cut short because of who they are.

With help from local organization Transformations KC, we spoke with three trans women who have endured hard times but transcended society's stereotypes to become leaders in the community.

Kelly Nou says she's gone through a lot in her life to be where she is today, living her truth and setting an example for young women like her.

"I'm still standing and you're still watching," Nou said.

Nou is a survivor, and she says this with a confidence and grit that comes with years of fighting.

"It's a lot of things we had to endure, like being bashed or being bullied and stuff and I'm just grateful to even be here just sitting here sharing my story, because a lot of my sisters in the past have not made it this far," Nou said.

Nou lives her life as visible advocate for her sisters in the trans community and a leader with Transformations KC, a group that works to uplift young trans people, specifically trans women of color.

"It's important because we're getting murdered every day, so it's best to allow us to have that voice," Nou said.

We met with Nou to shine light on her story, parts of which she says people would prefer to stay hidden. It's a story she shares with Treshawn Roberts and Monica DeJesus Anaya.

That story takes us to Troost Avenue and Manheim Road.

"It brings a lot of memories," Nou said

Nou and Roberts used to work Troost back in the day as sex workers. DeJesus Anaya worked in Chicago.

"Things have changed a lot, but the cars haven't," Nou said. "They're still coming."

As a car drove slowly past the intersection, DeJesus Anaya added, "As you can see right now!"

The girls laughed.

They were young, out trying to navigate a world that rejected them.

"My parents didn't understand trans," Nou said. "I knew I was a different kind of girl and my parents did not understand that."

So, Nou and many other young trans women found safety in each other.

Nou left her parents' house in her teens, seeking guidance from an older trans woman. Nou said there were multiple girls "shacked up" in a one or two bedroom apartment, just trying to get food, pay the rent, and keep the lights on.

At night, when "traffic would come swarming," they would come out to what's called the Hoe Stroll, Nou said.

"It would be 15 girls. It would be a few on each corner," Nou said. "It ranges from 34th & Armour and Troost & 43rd, which was a nail shop. We would work at night and, on the weekends, would go to the nail shop, and the nail shop people knew us."

The work did not come without dangers.

Roberts said they'd come out with crowbars and sledgehammers.

"Yes, baby, we had them hidden in the bushes," Roberts said. "'Because we used to drive and park our cars. So, we always had access because we knew what this was."

Nou said they had to protect themselves and their sisters.

"We'd look out for each other, try to make sure we get the description of the vehicle that our sister would go into," Nou said.

Survival sex work is often a part of the trans experience, rooted in discrimination.

"Jobs were not hiring us," Nou said. "Jobs were discriminating against us."

The National Center for Transgender Equality's most recent survey shows that one in eight trans people have done sex work. When you learn that trans people of color are three times more likely to be living in poverty than anyone else in the country and the unemployment rate for trans people of color is four times higher than the U.S. population - you see that sex work is something many resort to.

"And then when we did get employment, it was minimum wage. Not the minimum wage that we have in 2022, but the minimum wage we had in '98, '99, 2000. So, if you google the minimum wage, you will see why sex work was the next best thing," Roberts said. "I'm not ashamed of it, I'm proud of it."

Nou said one of the milestones in her life was when she decided to go to work in "full geish," which means dressed up in full wardrobe and makeup. Despite feeling liberated and fully herself, Nou said she ended up being fired from her job that day.

Walking the walk fiercely and unapologetically every day, these women say, will help pave the way for the next girl.

"Sharing our stories and our journeys literally keeps us trans women alive," DeJesus Anaya said.

Trans people, especially trans women of color, face violence more than anyone else. The survey shows many folks endured it at school and from their own family.

While the data isn't complete, we know at least 9 trans women and femme men have been murdered in Kansas City over the last 10 years.

Dee Dee Pearson was shot in killed in KCMO in 2011. Dionte Greene was shot and killed in KCMO in 2014. Jasmine Collins was stabbed to death in KCMO in 2015. Tamara Dominguez was killed after a man ran her over multiple times in KCMO in 2015. Ta'Ron "Rio" Carson was shot and killed in KCMO in 2018. Brooklyn Lindsey was shot and killed in KCMO in 2019. JaLeyah Berryman was shot and killed in KCK in 2019. Brianna Hill was shot and killed in KCMO in 2019. Aerrion Burnett was shot and killed in KCMO in 2020.

All of these victims are people of color, who see the highest rates of violence.

More trans women of color have been murdered in areas around Kansas City, including Reesey Walker, killed in Wichita in 2016; Nina Pop, killed in Sikeston, Missouri, in 2020; Dominique Lucious, killed in Springfield, Missouri, in 2021.

According to a study by Transgender Europe, which monitors violence against trans people worldwide, more than 3,600 murders of transgender and gender-expansive people have been reported since 2008. Most of the murders happen in the victim's own home or in the street.

It's very personal for Nou because one of those women, Aerrion Burnett, was her friend.

Burnett had a "heart of gold" and the news of her murder devastated her friends and family. She was shot and found dumped on the side of the road at 13th Street South and South Brookside Avenue.

Nou had the honor of doing Burnett's makeup for her funeral.

"I just felt so empowered to even be in that position because her parents respect her enough to allow me to be in the position to do her makeup to send their daughter off the correct way," Nou said.

Yes, these women have seen hard times. But they're still standing.

"I'm a vet," Roberts said. "I'm a icon, I'm a legend, baby. I have lived to see all the days. The good days, the bad days."

Their work today is to make sure their sisters experience a better Kansas City than the one they were given years ago.

Nou is the vice president of the board at Transformations KC. She's nurtured many young trans women over the years, helping them come into their own.

Roberts has always lived her life boldly, breaking out as a performer when she was 14.

"I would wear my show stuff to school and the kids would be like, 'Okay, who's this b? Now what is she doing?'" Roberts said. "Thigh-high boots, leather catsuits, fur coats. Yeah, and I wanted to be the glamorous girl at all costs."

Roberts, who also goes by Treshawn Seymour, is a seamstress, hairstylist and makeup artist. She's been heavily involved in Kansas City's ballroom scene and holds a title of Queen Mother, which takes on many roles in the trans community, including being a mentor and mother figure.

DeJesus Anaya is a reality star, whose stage persona is Monica Beverly Hillz. She starred in season five of RuPaul's Drag Race and was the first queen to come out on the show as a trans woman.

It's not all trauma. These women have joy, love, sisterhood, and a chosen family in their lives.

"You know, we're not just sex workers," Nou said. "We're human beings and we still can be successful and beautiful at the same time."

The rest is here:
Still standing: Trans women in KC share their story of survival, empowerment - KSHB 41 Kansas City News

The spiking cost of living impacts people with disabilities equally as much as people without, creating a need to seek supplemental income.

Despite this need, people with disabilities experience higher unemployment rates and face barriers to employment which contribute to a significant discrepancy in employment for people with disabilities when compared to those without.

According to the Bureau of Labor, in 2021, 11.9% of all people surveyed had a disability, half were over the age of 65, but only 19.1% of the people with disabilities surveyed were employed. The unemployment rate of people with disabilities seeking work was twice that of individuals without disabilities.

There are many Michigan agencies with work programs to assist individuals with disabilities. However, these agencies are not immune to the staff shortages that plague every industry in todays economy, often causing minimal assistance and delays in aiding people with disabilities seeking employment. Disability Network strives to bridge the gap in employment for people with disabilities.

People with disabilities are often qualified to fill employment positions, yet face barriers to joining the work force, from the initial job-seeking stage through the application and hiring process and continuing throughout the employment period.

Disability Network created a program called Job Club in response to these barriers. Job Club is designed to assist individuals with disabilities who are contemplating employment or preparing to begin new employment. The program is divided into two series which focuses on career assessments, accommodations, skills, applications, mock interviews, resume and cover letters, self-employment and social security benefits planning.

The creation of Job Club has provided an interesting perspective on themodern trends ofobstacles whichprovide challenges in obtaining employment for people with disabilities. One obstacle isrelaying work history and relevant experience on applications and resumes. Gaps in employment or late admission to the workforce are common with disability and can be difficult to explain on a resume.

One Job Club participant needed a lengthy break from paid employment to provide care for her ailing mother for many years. Eventually, the time came to rejoin the work force, but she was concerned about the 10-year gap in her work history. She joined the two series of Job Club to assist her in preparing for employment to create a resume and complete applications in applying her education and experience despite the break in employment history.

Job Club helped her to realize that her volunteer work during the break and the direct caregiving duties she provided for her mother were all relevant experiences that the right employers would be interested in. Furthermore, she disregarded her nursing degree received over 20 years ago because she hadnt worked in the nursing field. Job Club taught her that this was still appropriate to list on her resume and applications. After this individual completes the two segments of Job Club, she will work with Disability Network staff on finding employment.

Another obstacle that many people face in seeking employment when they have a disability is a lack of confidence in presenting employable skills and presenting themselves confidently in an interview. Job Club helps individuals to understand their skills and abilities and how these are valuable in employment settings, allowing participants to become more confident in discussing these with potential employers. One common example is skills with computers, programming and technology. But because these skills are often developed outside of work experience, many individuals overlook this as a skill that employers might find valuable.

A second Job Club participant worked at a large agency as a COVID tester. The position was this individuals first job and he had no further experience in competitive employment. As the COVID rates improved in his county, he was informed that his services as COVID tester would be unlikely to continue much longer. He joined Job Club to assist him in entering competitive employment so that he could look for new work.

Before beginning Job Club, he reported having no employable skills and lacked confidence in his ability to hold any other work. After completing Job Club, he learned that his skills in customer service and volunteer work running another program the agency offered were skills that he could report on applications and resumes. This encouraged him to speak with his employer and the human resources department to inform them he was looking for new work, but wanted to advocate for the creation of another position within the agency because he enjoyed working for them.

He reminded them of his skills, that he had never missed a day of work, that he completed all the work he had been trained to do pursuant to his job description and then took on many additional duties as was asked of him. As a result of his self-advocacy, the agency created a new position to keep him employed with the agency. He would like to continue working with Disability Network to learn more about self-employment to fulfill his life dream of owning and running his own store.

Disability Network encourages employers to remember that people with disabilities are employable, and to be as open to accommodations in the application and interviewing process as you would be during employment. If you need any assistance or are interested in learning more, please visit disabilitynetwork.org.

Alanna Lahey is the associate director for Disability Network of Northern Michigan in Traverse City.Disability Network Northern Michigan is the first stop for people with disabilities and their families in northern Michigan with a mission to promote personal empowerment and positive social change for people with disabilities.

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Job Club: Creating independence in employment for people with disabilities - Traverse City Business News

P&G Philippines president and general manager Raffy Fajardo shares his view on the power that comes from harnessing individual differences

Diversity is a term one hears from many corporations. It is a buzzword in todays labor force as people hope to find a workplace that is perfectly suited to who they are. While creating a work culture built on inclusivity and openness is the goal, many are challenged by it and how to fully integrate it into their system.

The thing is, making an inclusive workplace is something that cannot be done overnight. For some, it takes years to fully have it. A corporation that can attest to that is Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines. As a multinational consumer goods corporation with a strong footing in over 180 countries, it has continued to foster an inclusive environment for its employees through the years. With its We See Equal campaign, it has produced numerous policies, practices, and programs that champion not only minority groups but everyone, from its line of managers and leaders down to its teams. This enabled the company to be recognized by the United Nations Women Empowerment and Principles (UN WEPs) as a Champion for Gender Equal Workplace.

We value diversity to a point that everyone is unique, Rafael Arturo Raffy Fajardo, P&G Philippines president and general manager, says. We dont see religion, political views, nationality, gender, any of those. We judge based on merit and contributions. Diversity comes from individual strengths and understanding those strengths. What it is not are stereotypes and judgmentthese have nothing to do with the company.

During a media roundtable discussion, Fajardo details more on how creating inclusive workplaces and unlearning biases benefit all. From seeing beyond ones background and having mutual respect to asking the right questions, heres what we learn from the leader of P&G Philippines in shaping an inclusive work culture.

Working for P&G for 23 years, Fajardo can attest to the companys focus on peoples outcomes, not activities. As a computer science graduate, it is likely that he would end up in a role that is more suited to what he finished in college, but the organization saw potential in him in the field of marketing, which led him to opportunities to work in Singapore and Thailand, and eventually in the Philippines.

Fajardo believes in merit system and so is P&G. Focusing on outcomes means first looking at employees performance and stand-out impact instead of their different work styles and personal circumstances. This way, employees are motivated to perform, help in achieving company goals, and be seen for their abilities regardless of their personalities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.

Everyone is unique. When we focus solely on a persons outcomes, we level the playing field to provide an equal chance for everyone to achieve their objectives without biases and preconceived judgments, Fajardo says. Then we empower by recognizing the value of individual strengths and capabilities that each person brings.

Organizational status can be one of the many barriers for employees to creating conversations with their heads. Managers and leaders are different in the business world. One is fixed on accomplishing tasks and mentoring his team while the latter tends to inspire people. To be a successful chief, he or she must have both qualities. Managers and leaders should stay curious and humble while keeping their targets in their heads. And the best way to attain that is through their employees, and by listening to them.

In Fajardos case, he learns more about his employees through Cocomos, his nickname for coffee connects with country managers outside the usual workplace meetings. Through it, he discovers more about his team, things about and beyond the workplace, making them feel that they are important and their opinions matter. This ultimately helped him be more aware of biases and barriers and understand what actions or help is needed.

Reaching out to the people who can give you the best insight through curiosity and humility, changes your frame of reference, he says.

Unlearning biases can be hard, and again, takes a lot of time for its product to manifest. In P&Gs journey toward an inclusive work culture, it has built many affinity groups to foster change within its community. First is GABLE (Gay, Ally, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Transgender Employees), where workers can feel safe, have a sense of belonging, and feel free to be themselves. Another is Men as Allies for Real Change, which encourages understanding among male leaders and colleagues to promote gender equality and be true catalysts for change. Theres also the series Women Beyond Boundaries, featuring a variety of women from different functions of the organization and parts of the company.

To fully create a change in the community, the company has launched numerous policies and programs based on its employees needs. One of which is the My Pay, My Way program, where certain benefits are customized according to the priorities and personal preferences of our people. Another is the Share the Care policy, a parental leave program that grants eight weeks of fully paid parental leave. This allows dads to take care of their new child for more than seven days. It also applies to all employees regardless of gender or marital status. Of course, this is on top of the birth or adoptive mothers 105 calendar days of fully paid maternity leave.

Currently, the company is looking to branch its inclusion practices toward people with disabilities. Already in the pipeline for the Philippines is #Limitless, a new global chapter of P&Gs People with Disabilities affinity group.

Fajardo thinks that a common pitfall for people managers is to expect their employees to grow and possibly follow a proven path of someone else, perhaps a role model, instead of helping them become the best version of themselves. To allow employees to reach their fullest potential, he believes that leaders should empower their employees to play to their strengths.

An example of this is the misconception that extroverts are more successful or impactful than introverts because they are able to speak up and be more visible in collaborative and social events. Personalities and styles will always differ so an alternative frame of reference is to focus instead on a persons stand-out impact and contributions to the business and the organization.

At P&G, employees are given meaningful work from Day 1. It aims to create a workplace culture where employees are empowered and enabled to grow, develop and succeed through intentional career planning and equal opportunities.

Allow each employee to set their own level of flexibility, so that they may bring themselves to work every day and make a difference, he says. If everyone comes in feeling included and plays to their strength, we will have a huge impact on the business and culture.

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How creating inclusive workplaces and unlearning biases benefit all - Manila Bulletin

Assertiveness remains an essential tool for a successful career in nursing. Although this quality is rooted in communication skills, possession of good communication skills does not guarantee assertiveness.

Many literature sources have highlighted the importance of assertiveness in care delivery, expression of needs, affirming self-values and building interpersonal relationships.

There is also evidence of non-assertiveness, predominant among overseas nurses, and its correlation to human factors, unfair treatments, and conflicts in workplaces.

We may observe that people from varying ethnic backgrounds assert themselves differently from the way we are used to

Ordinarily, certain factors affect assertiveness but there are factors peculiar to overseas nurses, which cause their assertiveness to wane over time.

This is an issue that deserves urgent attention to ameliorate the associated mental stress, under-representation, bullying, dissatisfaction, and poor retention.

Therefore, this piece is aimed at understanding how assertiveness may regress instead of improving timely for overseas nurses and useful tips for self-help and supporting them.

Communication is a means of exchange. By this, we can send different messages through both verbal and nonverbal means.

While we may be fluent in a language largely representing the verbal aspect, the non-verbal means which constitute an immense part of the communication piece remain greatly influenced by culture and learning; so is assertiveness.

Eye contact, tone, posture, hand gestures, and when and how they are used accord some cultural essence to our communication.

Therefore, there is no one way of being assertive. Under normal circumstances, everyone understands their individual needs and can express them in unique ways without being confrontational and that is assertiveness.

In other words, we may observe that people from varying ethnic backgrounds assert themselves differently from the way we are used to.

When we assert ourselves, we intend to transmit an honest, clear, and understandable message. In return, we expect an understanding, positive action, information, and a good experience.

However, many overseas nurses often find themselves in a different situation where their messages are often misunderstood, misinterpreted, denigrated, or blanked, producing a negative experience.

Nurses have reported being perceived as mean or aggressive, or unsure of themselves due to their hand gestures or tone of voice.

Also, the discouraging responses they received when they assert themselves are widespread. Typical examples include, and are not limited to:

Consequently, a once firm voice begins to waver. Eye contact becomes effortful, and an accumulated feeling of disrespect and being judged naturally put them on the defence.

At this point, it is pertinent to mention that nurses in a new environment may experience diminished self-reliance due to unfamiliarity; they are not surefooted and would be asking a lot of questions.

Invariably, they will assert their needs how best they know and should be understood and valued. Bear in mind that assertiveness requires some mental energy, and can be given up when constantly challenged with negative responses.

To buttress, even people who are developed in assertiveness may not always be mentally prepared to be assertive.

Nurses should accommodate and treat each other with utmost respect irrespective of background

So, without appropriate support, overtime, overseas nurses may begin to conceal their true feelings resulting in low self-esteem, compromised patient care, and a lack of courage to escalate concerns, or even venture for higher positions.

Therefore, there should be an empathic connection to their needs to lend them that mental empowerment to be assertive.

Nurses should accommodate and treat each other with utmost respect irrespective of background. An understanding that colleagues can do things slightly differently will create more room to sincerely connect to their needs.

It is also this understanding that will help you appreciate their normal behaviour. This is not synonymous with saying that overseas nurses do not have their weaknesses, just like every other human.

Instead, this is an awakening for nurses to be culturally aware of others to avoid picking the wrong message.

Just as the overseas nurses strive to understand and imbibe the culture in the UK, other colleagues should make a reciprocate attempt to understand them.

Evidence indicates that a positive work ethic facilitates the adjustment of overseas nurses to their new workplace environments.

On the other hand, overseas nurses should refrain from building their personal experiences around that of others.

Ward managers and other staff should support international nurses to be at their best

While there is evidence of unpleasant experiences among overseas nurses, nurses should learn from those experiences rather than personalise them. Rid yourself of biases and embrace your unique journey.

In addition, overseas nurses should normalise reflective practice. Reflections allow you to learn and improve from your experiences. Again, clarity of message cannot be over-emphasised.

Focus on making your message as clear as possible. Consider talking at a slower pace and steady pace to limit the number of aye, aye that you get each time you talk, as a feeling of not being understood can thug at your confidence.

Some are keen on achieving a near British accent at the detriment of clarity. While acquiring an accent can give you a sense of belonging, it should not be a primary focus. Importantly, negotiate with colleagues and consider a compromise where possible.

In conclusion, the international nurses in the UK are among the best in their nations. Therefore, ward managers and other staff should support them to be at their best.

We can collaboratively promote a culture that builds a trusting relationship and supports assertiveness among overseas nurses.

Chinenye Ubah is lecturer, adult nursing, Anglia Ruskin University

Read the original post:
'Easing the strain on overseas nurses' assertiveness' - Nursing Times

Myka 9 andHand Solo Records artists, Mickey OBrienand Ultra Magnus, along with local support fromConika, will perform at The Loft in the Algoma Conservatory of Music this week.

Myka 9gained popularity in the underground rap scene of 1990s LA. He has a fast-paced and melodic lyrical style influenced byjazz. He is also a memberHaiku D'etat and The Freestyle Fellowship.

Mickey OBrien, a rapperfrom Sudburyhas lyrically rich and multi-genre tracks, focusing on mental health, relationships, and workers empowerment.

Ultra Magnus is a rapper who has been touring around Canada for the last few years as part of the duo of Ultra Magnus and DJ Slam!

Conika is ahip-hop MC andpoet from Garden River whose songsfocus onemotion and personal experience.

Their performance will kick offon July 10at 7 p.m.

For more information, read the news release below:

Dryer Fire, in collaboration with The Algoma Conservatory of Music and with the generous support of Village Media, presents underground hip hop legend Myka 9 on tour with Hand Solo Records artists, Mickey OBrien (Sudbury) and Ultra Magnus (Toronto), along with local support from Conika. They will perform on Sunday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at The Loft at The Algoma Conservatory of Music, 75 Huron St.

Myka 9 has been referred to as your favourite rappers favourite rapper. Known initially as Microphone Mike, the artist made a name for himself in the underground rap scene of 1990s LA. His lyrical style is fast-paced and melodic, drawing heavily on jazz influences. Hes a member of influential groups Haiku D'etat and The Freestyle Fellowship.

Mickey OBrien is a rapper hailing from Copper Cliff, just outside of Sudbury. His tracks are lyrically rich and multi-genre, touching on themes of mental health, relationships, and workers empowerment, reflecting his reality as a working-class Northern Ontario artist.

Ultra Magnus grew up in a highly isolated part of Canada, but thanks to the advent of the internet, he discovered hip hop decades ago and obsessed over it. He has been touring Canada for the last few years as part of the duo of Ultra Magnus & DJ Slam!.

Conika is a skilled hip-hop MC and spoken word poet from Garden River who explores emotion and personal experience through her rhymes.

This will be the first hip-hop show presented at The Loft. The space, located on the third floor of The Algoma Conservatory of Music, is a gorgeous venue with incredible acoustics. This is sure to be a show not to be missed!

This is an all-ages event. Tickets are $25 and are available through The Algoma Conservatory of Music website and the Dryer Fire website.

Facebook event link can be found here.

For more information, contact Nicole Dyble at dryerfiressm@gmail.com.

Visit link:
Myka 9 and guests play The Loft this week - SooToday

Marines and Navy sailors from the USS Bataan stand on the flight deck during their arrival for Fleet Week 2022 in New York. In the wake of the Supreme Court's historic term, some service members and veterans are speaking out. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images hide caption

Marines and Navy sailors from the USS Bataan stand on the flight deck during their arrival for Fleet Week 2022 in New York. In the wake of the Supreme Court's historic term, some service members and veterans are speaking out.

For the first time in her life, Marine Corps Capt. Meleah Martin is refusing to wear American flag attire this Independence Day. Instead, she told her family that she will only wear pride colors and apparel. Not because she's unpatriotic she's spent approximately 16 months deployed overseas as an F-18 pilot. But because she believes her constitutional rights are under attack.

Martin said it's been disheartening to witness liberties such as the right to protest or to cast a ballot come under attack in recent years. Those frustrations turned to devastation for her with the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stripping away the constitutional right to an abortion. Martin hopes to someday start a family, but as someone who identifies as a lesbian, she's scared her right to marry and have children may also be in danger.

As a result of these fears and frustrations, she said she doesn't look at the American flag the way she used to.

"We swear an oath, 'To support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic' ... Well, it's time to start worrying about the domestic, because clearly we have more of a problem here than we do anywhere else," Martin said, noting that her views are her own, and not a reflection of her unit or the Marine Corps. "It's really disappointing when something like this happens, because, like, how do I defend that?"

And she's not alone.

The American military and its more than 1 million active-duty troops is traditionally seen as apolitical. But in the wake of a historic Supreme Court term that has shifted the nation to the right on everything from the Second Amendment and abortion, to the separation of church and state, service members and veterans on both sides of the political divide are finding it increasingly difficult to remain quiet.

For some, the shifts brought on by the court are cause for celebration. For others, their sentiments amount to a loss of trust and confidence in political leaders, and growing frustration with the country they are sworn to defend.

Victor LaGroon is a chairman for the Black Veterans Empowerment Council, which works to better the lives of Black veterans across the country. He's worked with veterans and their communities to help protect their right to vote. Victor LaGroon/Victor LaGroon hide caption

Victor LaGroon is a chairman for the Black Veterans Empowerment Council, which works to better the lives of Black veterans across the country. He's worked with veterans and their communities to help protect their right to vote.

Before serving as a chairman for the Black Veterans Empowerment Council, Victor LaGroon served as an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. His job at the time was to help gather information so that commanders could make methodical choices on the battlefield.

He uses the skills he acquired in the Army to better work with politicians in hopes of achieving equal access to benefits and protecting the rights of Black veterans. One of the campaigns he's passionate about is ensuring that Black veterans, as well as their families and communities, have the right to vote. He feels his work is more important than ever, given the growing number of states that have moved to restrict voter access since the 2020 election.

Victor LaGroon, left, chairman of the Black Veterans Empowerment Council, moderates a panel discussion with U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, right, last week in Washington, D.C. Michael McCoy/Michael McCoy hide caption

Victor LaGroon, left, chairman of the Black Veterans Empowerment Council, moderates a panel discussion with U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, right, last week in Washington, D.C.

"To have lost soldiers and sailors and Marines and airmen securing other people's right to vote, and then to come home and have your own government obstruct your right to vote is beyond repulsive. It is shameful. It's hateful, it should be illegal," LaGroon said. "We should not allow anyone American who wants to vote, who's qualified to vote, to not be voting. It is a part of the core of who we are."

LaGroon spoke about his grandfather, who was given one piece of advice after returning from World War II: "Don't get caught in that uniform in the South, because they'll hang you." Historically speaking, LaGroon said, Black service members have time and again been willing to sacrifice their lives in defense of a nation that doesn't care about them.

"If we're a nation of freedoms, why is it some freedoms are more valuable than others? That's the question," LaGroon said. "I'm saddened by what we've become. Because I know we're capable of being better."

Meleah Martin, left, her girlfriend, Katelyn Carbajal, right, and Carbajal's daughter Harper, center, in Washington, D.C. Meleah Martin/Meleah Martin hide caption

Meleah Martin, left, her girlfriend, Katelyn Carbajal, right, and Carbajal's daughter Harper, center, in Washington, D.C.

Martin has never been one to draw attention to herself. As an active duty member of the military, she's always been careful about sharing her political beliefs with the public in order to maintain her image as an officer. However, she said the Supreme Court's decision to do away with federal abortion protections was the tipping point for her, and compelled her to speak out.

Over the years many people have asked her what it's like to be a woman in military aviation, a profession historically dominated by men. But that's never bothered her, because she's always seen her fellow pilots as family.

But in the wake of the court's abortion ruling last month, she said can't shake the feeling that she is on uneven ground.

"I've truly felt extremely equal to my peers and I've had a wonderful time in the military, but now, you know, I do I have one less right," Martin said. "And it is a right that has to do directly with my personal body."

Marine Capt. Meleah Martin performing preflight inspections on her F-18 aircraft. Martin is concerned not just about her right to get an abortion, but the threat of not being able to marry the woman she loves one day. Gregory Oh/Gregory Oh hide caption

Marine Capt. Meleah Martin performing preflight inspections on her F-18 aircraft. Martin is concerned not just about her right to get an abortion, but the threat of not being able to marry the woman she loves one day.

When it comes to talk of the future, she and her girlfriend often discuss marriage and raising children. And though her partner already has a daughter, the two talk about artificial insemination and who would carry their child. But now she's concerned about what that could look like should a pregnancy put her or her partner's life at risk.

Martin is scared she may find herself at a duty station in a state where abortion is outlawed. If she and her partner needed to travel to have an abortion, Martin would need to have a leave request approved by her commanding officer, who might have differing views on the issue.

"I'm not saying that commanders don't have the interests of their sailors and Marines and soldiers in mind. But on, say the worst-case scenario, right, that commander has a very strong belief and is very much against abortion and knows what you're trying to do to take leave, they can just deny your leave without repercussion," she said. "I understand that that is like a very, very severe estimate, right? Or like, that is the worst-case scenario. But it's not necessarily out of the cards."

An additional fear that weighs on Martin is whether she and her partner will be able to get married in the not-too-distant future.

In a concurring opinion to the Supreme Court's abortion ruling, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court's legal rationale in overturning Roe could also be applied to overturn other major cases, including the court's decision to legalize gay marriage.

His words shook members of the LGBTQ+ community, including Martin, who now worry that the conservative majority on the high court could strike down their right to marry.

"We thought The Handmaid's Tale was, you know, just an entertaining show, but we're honestly headed back towards that direction, you know what I mean?" Martin said. "It's just sad to see. It's crazy."

Natalia Ketcham and her husband, Dallas Ketcham. She has always been against abortion and was glad to see the Supreme Court's decision last month. Although the conversations surrounding abortion are polarizing, she hopes people can come together to talk about it and other important issues. Natalia Ketcham/Natalia Ketcham hide caption

Natalia Ketcham and her husband, Dallas Ketcham. She has always been against abortion and was glad to see the Supreme Court's decision last month. Although the conversations surrounding abortion are polarizing, she hopes people can come together to talk about it and other important issues.

Twenty-three-year-old Natalia Ketcham has two months left on her enlistment with the Coast Guard, after which she plans to attend school to become a dental hygienist. She's originally from Miami, but is stationed outside of San Francisco. Like Martin and LaGroon, she too is concerned about the state of things, albeit for different reasons.

Ketcham has been against abortion since she was a pre-teen. Her stance doesn't stem from her Roman Catholic beliefs, she explained, but from her love of life itself.

"I firmly believe that abortion is not a constitutional right, we all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, first and foremost, life," she said.

When the justices voted to return abortion laws to individual states, she was elated. However, as a staunch anti-abortion advocate, she believes there's more work to be done.

"I think that this is a great first step in advancing our generations, our future generations, and I think that's great. But we are nowhere near done," Ketcham said. "So as happy as I am, I am not complacent with where we are at. And I think that's important for pro-lifers to really understand, is that our struggle is not done."

Ketcham said she stands against abortion across the board, including in cases of rape or incest. Her belief that abortions should be illegal stems from what she sees as an unborn child's right to life, which in her opinion, supersedes the right to an abortion.

She's also against the argument that abortion should be legal in instances where the mother may be forced to choose between her life and that of the unborn child.

"If I were put in ... that situation or scenario, I would proudly give up my life for that [of] my child," Ketcham said.

Instead of funding clinics where abortions are performed, she said she wishes the funds would be redirected towards women's health care, adoption services and child support initiatives.

The conversations surrounding abortion are polarizing to say the least, Ketcham admitted, but she also believes they're important conversations to have. She hopes people can come together to talk about issues that are dividing the country to try and bridge a nation divided.

Members of the Oath Keepers at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in military-style attire. One-in-five of those charged during the attack on the Capitol were veterans, which leaves some veterans worried about how that will affect how the public views them. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

Members of the Oath Keepers at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in military-style attire. One-in-five of those charged during the attack on the Capitol were veterans, which leaves some veterans worried about how that will affect how the public views them.

Investigations into the January 6 attacks revealed that approximately 1-in-5 defendants charged for the siege of the Capitol were veterans, NPR previously reported. LaGroon said the news troubled him because he worried those individuals could be seen by some to be a representation of the veteran population.

The thought of veterans across the country joining extremist groups or supporting white supremacy hurts all veterans, LaGroon said, which is why it's important that those who served stand up and speak out.

"If we're not giving people an alternative perspective of who we are, people aren't going to want to hire veterans, they're not going to want us as neighbors, they're not going to want us to marry into their families, they're not going to want to be our classmates in school, because, you know, why? Someone has hijacked our image," he said. "Now we're kind of stuck trying to convey and convince people, 'Oh, no, we're actually better than that.' Are we? Because we got to show it."

Service members and veterans can be found on both sides of the political spectrum, LaGroon said. But most veterans, he believes, find themselves in the middle, often playing peacekeeper between veterans with strong views on the left and the right.

And though it's easier to sit back and remain disheartened about what's taking place across the nation than speak up and risk ridicule, LaGroon said, there's too much at stake to let that happen.

"I think that we have to recognize that we're in the fight, and we have to get in the fight, right? And look, a lot of us are tired, man. You know what I mean?" LaGroon said. "We wore the uniform, we came home, we're acclimated we got it together somehow and we're just trying to enjoy life. And time and time again, thing after thing, we keep seeing our nation needs us more today than it did when we were in uniform."

View post:
Veterans worry about the erosion of their constitutional rights - NPR

The word Bhakti means devotion. Originally, the Bhakti Yoga approach was based on human emotions, which is why it is also calledthe yoga of love. Bhakti Yoga encourages the practice of devotion directed towards a higher power. Practitioners recite prayers, meditate and devote their lives to God as they understand God.

As you can see, the line between religion and yoga is blurred in this yogic approach. Still, Bhakti Yoga focuses on personal practice and devotion. In contrast, organized religion has other purposes and is often involved in political conflicts and other practices that can hardly pass for spiritual practice.

Even though it originated in Hinduism, Bhakti Yoga makes no distinction between religions. It doesnt matter how practitioners define their higher power, as long as they cultivate a relationship through prayer and meditation.

This kind of religious tolerance is relevant today.

For reference, I want to share a short speech Swami Vivekananda made at the world parliament of religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893.

Sisters and Brothers of America,

It fills my heart with unspeakable joy to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true.

I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.

I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, sources in different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.

The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.

Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.

Even though progress has been made since Vivekananda made this speech, it could just as easily have delivered been yesterday. There is still much work to be done if we want to reach the ideal that Vivekananda describes.

Concepts of God are human attempts to understand the universe and our role in it. Wrapping our heads around the galactic universe is near impossible; trying to understand the maker and sustainer of creation is even harder.

Lets take a look at how yogic philosophy approached this impossible task.

In yoga, the concept of a higher power has two major distinctions.

One is the concept of Brahman, the one without a second, which rhymes very well with the modern understanding of physics; a connective field of consciousness that underlies the energy field of atoms.

According to yoga philosophy, nothing exists but Brahman.

Everything is Brahman.

The other concept has a closer link to modern religious definitions. Because Brahman has all qualities, it has no distinctive qualities. From that lack of distinction, the concept of Ishwara was born.

Ishwara is divinity with qualities.This means that as soon as people ascribe any qualitiessay that their divinity, he/she/it, is good, bad, the creator, full of love or anything else for that matterthen they are referring to Ishwara, not Brahman.

Ishwara exists within Brahman.

For further distinction, Ishwara was divided into three parts related to birth, life and death. These three qualities or distinctions appear in mythology as three separate Gods, the creator Brahma (not to be confused with Brahman), the sustainer Vishnu and the destroyer or transformer Shiva, sometimes called Mahesh.

When Ishwara (divinity with qualities) sends messengers to the people of Earth, they are called Avatars (Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, etc.).You see how far removed the concept of Avatar has become in our society today through movies and video games, which is one more example of how the overuse of a specific term taken out of context can dilute its meaning.

Because of these distinctions, many people think that both yoga and Hinduism preach polytheism. But the concept of Brahman is at the core, so the approaches are monotheistic.

Understanding Bhakti Yoga in this way, everyone should be able to find a devotional aspect that fits their upbringing and personality. Prayers can be directed towards an undefined higher power, God, Jesus, Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Buddha, Allah or any other version of Ishwara. In Bhakti Yoga, the emphasis is on strengthening ones relationship with a higher power through various devotional methods, creating a personal relationship with an Avatar or divinity with qualities.

Because of the Hindu connection, many prayers and mantras within Bhakti Yoga are directed towards Hindu deities, reflecting Brahman. Some Western practitioners of yoga welcome these new distinctions, while others conservatively hold on to their current definitions of God. Both work equally well.

As an example of choosing one path, Gandhi made an effort to practice various religious pathways before settling into his devotion to Rama, using the Bhagavad-Gita as his vehicle for spiritual inspiration.

As an example of choosing many paths, Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekanandas teacher, invested many years of practice in each of the major religions and is said to have reached the state of enlightenment in all of them.

What then is true worship?

From the standpoint of Brahman, it is seeing the spark of the divine in everything, experiencing the interconnectedness of the universe and experiencing the love that binds it all together.

The spark of Brahman, Atman (soul, self, spirit), is within all of us, no matter what we call it. It is in people of all races, nationalities and religions. The yoga practitioners who engage in the practice of Bhakti Yoga become sources of love and compassion because they see the divine in everything.

Practitioners must continuously elevate their emotions towards love and compassion through prayer and meditation before the loving state becomes permanently available. Even then, they must work on maintaining it. While progressing towards this state, loving emotions can rise and subside.

A Tibetan monk described it this way. One moment he experiences himself as a source of love and feels the interconnectedness of all life; the next moment, he doesnt understand how anyone can love the limited and often irritating human beings surrounding him.

Many Western yoga students raised within Christianity ask how it is possible to practice Bhakti Yoga and remain devoted to Jesus. There is no contradiction between the two. According to yoga philosophy, true worship of Jesus would consist of following his teachings and directing all prayers and rituals toward the father, son, and holy spirit (the trinity connection is another interspiritual thread that I may pull on at a later date).

Bhakti Yoga is a path of love. It is the easiest of the four major pathsRaja, Karma, Bhakti, and Gnanabecause it focuses on elevating human emotions. All the practices within Bhakti Yoga focus on raising vibrations from basic animal instincts to divine love and compassion.

With that in mind, even atheists could adhere to some of these principles. They would not have to believe in God or an architect of the universe, but could instead cultivate kindness, gratitude, tolerance and ethical behavior.

That is what the practice of Bhakti Yoga produces.

Gudjon BergmannAuthor, Coach, and Columnistwww.gudjonbergmann.com

p.s. I have taught yoga since 19998, studied with Yogi Shanti Desai and Sri Yogi Hari, and am registered at the highest level with Yoga Alliance. This article was curated from my book titled Know Thyself: Yoga Philosophy Made Accessible.

Continued here:

The Essence of Bhakti Yoga | Gudjon Bergmann - Patheos

When the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted life in early 2020, several big publishers and printers faced a crisis as readers increasingly shifted online to read books and access study materials, preferring their e-readers over hardback editions and paperbacks.

While many publishers strategised how to adjust to this change that the pandemic had speeded up, a hundred-year-old publishing house based in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, recorded a surge in sales after the first wave of the pandemic. Even as other publishers, struggling with financial losses, were struggling to send their books to stores, Gita Presss publications reached book stalls in newer areas and its footprint expanded. The publisher claims to have sold books worth more than Rs 77 crore in the 2021-22 financial year, up from around Rs 52 crore the year before.

This year, Gita Press is in its centenary year and the celebrations will conclude on May 3, 2023. On June 4, President Ram Nath Kovind, Governor Anandiben Patel, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended an event marking the occasion. Kovind acknowledged the publishers role in taking the spiritual and cultural knowledge of India to the masses. Apart from the Bhagavad Gita, Kovind said, Gita Press publishes the Ramayana, the Puranas, the Upanishads, the Bhakt Charitra, and other religious books. It has the distinction of being the worlds largest publisher of Hindu religious books.

The founder of Gita Press was Marwari businessman Jayadayal Goyandka from Churu in Rajasthan who was based in Bankura, Bengal, and used to trade in cotton, kerosene oil, textiles, and utensils. An avid reader of the Bhagavad Gita, he formed groups of friends in the towns where he used to travel for business and these men joined him in religious congregations, called satsangs, to discuss the book. This network of Gita discussion groups expanded but all of the satsangis realised that they did not have an authentic, error-free translation of the Gita along with a faithful commentary. In 1922, Goyandka got the Gita published by Vanik Press in Kolkata but errors prevailed. When Goyandka raised the matter with the press owner, he got told off. The press owner told him to set up his own press if he wished to see an error-free translation of the book. Thus began the journey of Gita Press.

One of Goyandkas businessmen friends from Gorakhpur proposed that the press be operated from the town in Uttar Pradesh. Ghanshyamdas Jalan also offered to run it. With this, Gita Press came into being in 1923. While, at present, books are published using India-made wave offset machines and other machines from Germany, Japan, and Italy, the first books were published using a treadle machine brought from Boston in the United States.

He (Goyandka) believed that it (the Gita) was a message of god and he should set up the press, said Gita Presss current manager Lalmani Tiwari. He discussed it with the participants of satangs. Ghanshyamdas Jalan of Gorakhpur was a regular participant in the satsangs. He offered that if a press is established in Gorakhpur, he will take care of it. Then it was decided to look for a space in Gorakhpur for the press.

A small building was rented for Rs 10 per month and using the machine from Boston the group started printing the Gita on April 29, 1923. In July 1926, another building, where the existing campus of Gita press is located, was purchased for Rs 10,000. The existing campus is spread over two lakh square feet. Since its establishment, the publication house claims to have printed more than 90 crore books. Its flagship monthly magazine Kalyan has been in circulation for the last 95 years and so far 16.74 crore copies have been printed. Mahatma Gandhi was among the contributors to the first issue of Kalyan.

We started with the Bhagavad Gita. Presently, we are publishing 1,800 titles of books in 15 languages. On average, we are supplying 60,000 books daily. But still, we are not able to meet the demand, said Tiwari. The Press focuses on the translation of the Gita, the Ramayana, the Puranas, the Mahabharata and other books in different languages. It also publishes storybooks for kids.

Though it publishes books on the Sanatana Hindu dharma (the eternal religion), Gita Press claims to have no association with any political outfit. Asked about the publication houses links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Tiwari said Gita Press was associated with everyone in society but had no connection to Hindutva politics.

But, author Akshaya Mukul has written of the publishing house in his book Gita Press and the making of Hindu India, It was a crucial cog in the wheel of Hindu nationalism that struck up alliances with everyone: mendicants, liberals, politicians, philanthropists, scholars, sectarian organizations like the RSS, Hindu Mahasabha, Jana Sangh and VHP, and conservative elements within the Congress.

In the book, Mukul cites scholar Paul Arney who has called Gita Press the leading purveyor of print Hinduism in the twentieth century. Mukul says Arney, in his work, cites a special issue of Hindu Chetna, a VHP publication, which came out in 1992 in honour of Poddar. The Poddar Arney talks about is Kalyans founding editor Hanuman Prasad Poddar.

Mukul goes on to write, The issue carried a 1964 interview of Poddar by Shivram Shankar Apte, earlier with the RSS and later loaned to the VHP. Poddar, who was among the founders of the VHP, told Apte that it was Gita Press that sowed the tolerant ideals that have now blossomed into the plant of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Asked why Gita Press does not publish books of other religions, its current manager Tiwari deflected by saying, There is already so much work in books of Sanatana Dharma that we are not able to supply as per the demand. We have yet to publish the Vedas and Smriti.

Kovind is not the first president to visit the Gita Press office. Dr Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the main entrance of the publishing house and an art gallery called Lila Chitra Mandir at its premises in 1955. The gallery depicts the Lilas of Hindu deities Ram and Krishna in 684 paintings arranged sequentially from birth to the end of each. The complete Gita is inscribed on marble blocks on the walls, as are about 700 couplets and verses of exalted saints. Over the years, notable names, including High Court judges, governors and chief ministers of different states have visited the Press.

Gita Press functions under a non-profit trust called Gobind Bhavan it is named after the building in Kolkatas Bara Bazar area where the publishing house took shape that does not also accept donations. Gita Press now has 430 employees, 20 sales depots, and almost 2,500 booksellers who purchase its works. At the press, the religious books once printed are not left on the ground and are placed on pallets.

The Trust is also not hereditary. There is no one in the Trust from the family of the founder. Also, members of the Trust are not elected. They are selected and assigned responsibilities, Tiwari said.

Asked about reports that Gita Press was about to shut down a few years ago, Tiwari claimed that was fake news. In 2015, fake news was circulated that Gita Press was in a financial crisis. By circulating such reports, some people wanted to collect money as donations in the name of Gita Press, said Tiwari. So many people offered donations. But we did not accept. We even had to close our bank account for a few days so that no one could transfer money. Also, at the time, some employees got confused about their salaries and staged a strike for a few days. But that issue was also resolved.

Read the original post:

A century old, how Gita Press came to be 'leading purveyor of print Hinduism' - The Indian Express

Today is as good day as any to brush one's memory of the Bhagavad Gita. The much misquoted and appropriated Hindu scripture that allegedly teaches you how to wage a war and feel good about its righteousness.

The author(s) of the Bhagavad Gita, however, anticipated this tendency to appropriate.

ymim puhpit vcha pravadanty-avipahchita

veda-vda-rat prtha nnyad astti vdina

kmtmna swarga-par janma-karma-phala-pradm

kriy-viheha-bahul bhogaihwarya-gati prati

These shlokas from the scripture can be loosely translated as:

"The undiscerning get attracted to the flowery words of the Vedas and glorify only those parts of the Vedas that please their senses. They indulge in acts and rituals that promise opulence, sensual gratification, and heaven."

These two verses from the Bhagavad Gita enunciate the tendency and dangers of appropriating religious/spiritual wisdom.

The irony, explicated even in the Bhagavad Gita, is that the righteous feel that their actions have the divine sanction.

The reality, however, couldnt be further from the truth: most actionsand their foundationshave sentiments and not principles at their core.

See the article here:

In India's Battle Between Sentiments And Principles, Peace is An Orphan - The Quint