I’d Very Much Like to Be Excluded from This Narrative
Think back to a time when you were young. Remember the awkward middle school stage when you were trying to find your place and your people? Cliques were starting to form, and it felt like you had to be a part of one to survive.
If you were anything like me, middle school was a time when you felt like a misfit, like you didn’t belong anywhere. You didn’t understand the appeal of the preppy clique or the jocks. You didn’t want to hang out with the burnouts or the nerds. You just wanted to exist in your own little world, but unfortunately, that’s not how the social structure of middle school works.
When Being Different Meant Being Excluded
I spent most of middle school hopping between cliques, trying to find my people. I spent time with the art kids, the drama kids, and even the popular kids, but I never really felt like I fit in. I was always the odd one out, the one who didn’t quite get the inside jokes or understand the references.
I remember one time in seventh grade when I was sitting in the cafeteria with a group of friends. As they happily chatted the day away, I sat silently, feeling like an outsider looking in. As I glanced around the lunchroom, I saw other kids sitting alone, their faces etched with the same sense of loneliness that I felt. In that moment, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who felt like an outcast. There were others who felt just as lost and alone as I did.
The Power of Inclusivity
Fast forward a few years to high school, and thankfully I had blossomed out of my awkward middle school stage. I was now more confident in myself and my place in the world. I had found my people, a group of friends who accepted me for who I was, not who I pretended to be.
I learned a valuable lesson from my middle school experience: the importance of inclusion. I realized that everyone deserves to feel like they belong, and that no one should be excluded. I made a promise to myself that I would never be the one to exclude someone. I would always be the one to welcome people in, to make them feel like they belonged.
Defining Exclusion
Exclusion is the act of deliberately leaving someone out of a group or activity. It can be overt, such as when someone is not invited to a party or social event, or it can be more subtle, such as when someone is ignored or treated differently. Exclusion can have a devastating impact on a person’s self-esteem and sense of belonging.
The Different Ways We Exclude
Exclusion is a more universal issue than many people realize. It can happen just about anywhere, from schools to workplaces, even in our own families. There are many motives for excluding someone. Sometimes it’s out of fear. We may exclude others because we’re afraid of them or because we’re afraid of what others will think if we associate with them. Other times it’s out of a sense of superiority. We may exclude others because we believe we’re better than them or because we don’t want to be associated with them.
Social Media and Exclusion
In recent years, social media has become a breeding ground for exclusion. With the ability to curate our online presence, we can easily exclude people from our lives with the click of a button. We can unfriend, unfollow, and block people with whom we disagree or who we simply don’t like.
While social media can be a great way to connect with people, it can also be a tool for exclusion. It’s important to be mindful of how we use social media and to make sure that we’re not using it to exclude others.
The Importance of Inclusion
Inclusion is essential for creating a healthy and welcoming community. When people feel like they belong, they are more likely to be happy, productive, and successful. They are also more likely to be engaged in their community and to make a positive contribution to society.
Tips for Promoting Inclusion
There are many things we can do to promote inclusion in our schools, workplaces, and communities. Here are a few tips:
- Be welcoming and friendly to everyone. Make an effort to get to know people who are different from you.
- Be respectful of others. Even if you don’t agree with someone, you can still treat them with respect.
- Don’t make assumptions about people. Get to know someone before you judge them.
- Speak up against exclusion. If you see someone being excluded, don’t be afraid to speak up.
- Be an ally. Let people know that you’re there for them and that you support them.
Expert Advice on Promoting Inclusion
In addition to the tips above, here is some expert advice on promoting inclusion:
- Create a welcoming environment. Make sure that everyone feels welcome in your space, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.
- Encourage diversity. Surround yourself with people from all walks of life. This will help you to learn about different cultures and perspectives.
- Be mindful of your language. Use inclusive language that respects everyone’s identity.
- Educate yourself about inclusion. The more you know about inclusion, the better equipped you’ll be to promote it.
FAQ on Exclusion
- What is exclusion?
Exclusion is the act of deliberately leaving someone out of a group or activity. It can be overt or subtle.
- What are the effects of exclusion?
Exclusion can have a devastating impact on a person’s self-esteem and sense of belonging. It can also lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.
- What are the different ways we exclude others?
We can exclude others in many ways, both overt and subtle. Some common ways include:
* **Ostracism:** Deliberately excluding someone from a group or activity.
* **Rejection:** Telling someone that they are not wanted or accepted.
* **Ignoring:** Pretending that someone does not exist.
* **Bullying:** Harassing or intimidating someone.- What can we do to promote inclusion?
There are many things we can do to promote inclusion, both in our personal lives and in our communities. Some tips include:
* **Be welcoming and friendly to everyone.**
* **Be respectful of others.**
* **Don’t make assumptions about people.**
* **Speak up against exclusion.**
* **Be an ally.**Conclusion
Exclusion is a serious problem that can have a devastating impact on individuals and communities. It is important to be aware of the different ways we exclude others and to take steps to promote inclusion. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, we can help to ensure that everyone feels like they belong.
Are you interested in learning more about promoting inclusion? If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to help.
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What Taylor Swift Can Teach Us About Brand Management | MBB Agency Oct 21, 2022We also see these “old Taylors” lined up at the end of the video, with one exclaiming, “I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative.” Swift had written the same statement in a now-deleted social media post during her feud with Ye and Kardashian: “I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative, one that I have
