It seemed good to me also,
having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first,
to write unto thee in order, most excellent Th-eop-’i-lus.
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things,
wherein thou hast been instructed.
~ Luke 1:3-4
What started out to be a general U.S. Department of Energy online on-the-job training course about “Diversity in the Workplace” helped to give me a more organized and structured view concerning the issues of cultural differences in America. Sometimes referred to as the melting pot, diversity has been defined in many ways. From a narrow and more legalistic view that focuses on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) or EEO laws to a broader approach which is the collaboration of similarities and differences to achieve personal, professional and organizational goals in the workforce, today, relative to unique perspectives and abilities. Overall, diversity is the reality of living in a global community that encompasses characteristics such as: age, culture, disability, education, ethnicity or nationality (race), gender, language, religion, s*xual orientation and marital or parental status. The United States is a native English speaking country; however, to embrace diversity, we must begin to accept and recognize all cultures as well as their native speaking languages. Ironically, we claim America was founded on Christian principles, but we do not attempt to investigate, research or emulate Christian love in favor of all people. We have entered into a period in time, where everything seems to be acceptable and no one challenges anything; not even the church which compromises biblical truths to incorporate world views. You can have an awareness of differing viewpoints or enter into a friendship with someone whose cultural beliefs differ from yours without compromising your beliefs at all. The problem arises when you attempt to force your beliefs on someone else by insisting they denounce their beliefs to adopt yours. Free will is a gift that was given to us all from God as a confirmation of His love. However, people attempting to play god do not hesitate to strip us of that free will each and every day by subjecting us to a form of control. Control on the basis of having and exercising a Jezebel Spirit.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth,
and length, and depth and height; And to know the love of Christ,
which passeth knowing that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
~ Ephesians 3:17-19
In my opinion, racism, unfortunately, has evolved into a form of religion in America that encompasses racial profiling and police brutality among other ‘isms. Experiencing racism and discrimination, myself, on the basis of an individual’s misconceived notion on more than one occasion within the workplace for the past thirty-eight (38) to forty (40) years of my life is something you never get use to. Each encounter brought insurmountable pain. Pain I wish on no one; pain I am adamant not to inflict upon anyone. As I am reminded of that pain for one reason or another - being a woman (gender), black (race) and bald (physical appearance as a result of a medical condition), it is my intent not to do to others what has been done to me. I have witnessed many minorities who have been victims of hurtful discriminating situations discriminate against other minorities thus condemning them to the same fate all in the name of wanting to be accepted by their abuser. What a vicious web we weave!
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
~ Matthew 7:12
Extremely disturbed about having to confront prejudice attitudes and behaviors within The Salvation Army National Headquarters (TSA-NHQ), an internationally recognized religious organization, I noted numerous civil suits brought against TSA for discriminatory practices with no win in favor of the victims. Given what I presumed to be the nature of their business, soul wining on behalf of God as a church, they have been successful at covering up their indiscretions in addition to having the law on their side as they continue to exploit others. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. ~ [Galatians 1:20]
• Andrew Edimo, a native of Africa who was employed by TSA-NHQ as an Information Technology Assistant, had a very strong accent and heavy tongue. Though I never had any problems understanding him, one person in particular, indicated it was not acceptable. As a controlling tactic or strategy that was exercised by the former National Treasurer and Secretary for Business Administration, Lt. Colonel Don McDougald, salary increases or raises were deliberately withheld from Andrew each and every year unless he agreed to take English and diction classes or resign; whichever came first. Having worked within the area of Human Resources for approximately ten (10) years or more, I not only viewed this as a form of harassment, it was clearly a case of discrimination. Andrew’s immediate supervisor, Jane Cha, who was distraught by the decision, explained she valued Andrew’s professionalism, loyalty and work ethics. Confiding in me to determine if such a practice was legal, she also indicated Andrew’s job performance and level of detail was outstanding. Lt. Colonel McDougald has issues with Jane’s nationality as well, but not to the extent of Andrew’s. Eventually, after more than five (5) years of employment with TSA-NHQ, Andrew resigned and so did Jane, approximately one to two years later.
• Linda Vetrano, a practicing Jehovah Witness who does not celebrate holidays in the non-spiritual commercial way, was harassed by the National Social Services Department Head, Lt. Colonel Paul E. Bollwahn, for that very same reason; refusing to compromise her religion to attend a Christmas luncheon or birthday celebration. The objective of this TSA-NHQ officer (ordained minister) under the influence of a jezebel spirit was to bully Linda through a means of control to get her to resign or to operate outside of her will to comply with what they wanted. Wanting disparately to assist Linda in any way I could, I suggested she speak to my supervisor, the HR Director, to file a formal complaint. But it was I, on the other hand, who was asked by my supervisor to stay out of it. It is not my nature, however, to sit back and do nothing upon seeing an injustice being done to another; regardless, of the color of their skin, national origin, religion, or s*xual orientation. That is not who I am. Considering Linda’s medical history with multiple sclerosis (MS), I pleaded with her to find other employment as quickly as possible. The stress created by this situation was compromising her health and increasing her symptoms. Realizing this was actually a normal occurrence within a culture at TSA-NHQ to harass, manipulate and violate the civil rights of their less than desirable employees at will as if it was a type of sport was what I considered to be a pattern or modus operandi (MO). This prompted me to not only question this less than Christian environment, but to observe my surroundings more closely.
[I have had the pleasure of being in touch with each of the above individuals after their departure from The Salvation Army. Andrew still works in the area of computers, but has since moved to Ohio. Jane is a successful entrepreneur who owns a gym in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Linda currently lives in New York near her parents who have assisted her with her MS. Unfortunately, her bout with MS is up and down. After her departure from The Salvation Army, her health confined her to a wheelchair. She later wrote The Salvation Army National Headquarters for assistance, in any way possible; she was refused. Talk about being humble enough to ask the organization that wronged you for assistance. Like many of us who suffer at the hands of abusive people, especially so called Christians, it dampens your spirit. However, after much deliberation and time with God as well as family, your spirit is restored.]
• Immediately following Linda Vetrano’s departure, there was a need to fill her former position. Not to mention a need to prove a point to those who were aware of the situation concerning Linda. So it was the Social Services Department’s (in essence, The Salvation Army’s) way of saying, we can not only do what we want, but we can find anyone to replace her because there are number of available people with her skill who are just dying to work here. Unfortunately, Mila Teves was offered and hired for the position, though she lacked the qualifications needed to perform the duties of the job to its fullest potential. Mila was told she would not only be given ample time to learn the position, she would be given the opportunity to receive the necessary training needed to enable her to do her job. Hearing such a statement during an interview offers an array of hope and gives you a sense of respect for your new employer that they would encourage growth. However, not knowing the complete truth tends to set you up for a fall. Mila was there just long enough for the suspicion concerning how Linda was treated and harassed to resign was no longer talked about and ceased to exist, but then it was Mila’s turn to feel the wrath of not being able to read or write according to the standards of what The Salvation Army deemed was acceptable. Mila was not born or raised in the U.S.; however, she had been here long enough for her accent not to be noticeable. Unfortunately, she had no grasp of the full understanding of the English grammar command in her writing which presented a problem not to mention she did not have the skill level needed to perform the duties of her job prior to her being hired for the position. Mila was terminated and told it was taking her too long to catch on. During her ordeal, Mila and I bonded as I offered my assistance to prepare her resume in addition to me attempting to counsel her about God and who he really was as opposed to what was being demonstrated to her by this so called Christian organization.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly
according to the truth of the gospel,
I said unto Peter before them all, if thou,
being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews,
why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
~ Galatians 2:14
Ethnocentrism, as demonstrated above, is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture with the belief that their way is the best way and the only way. However, diversity is about differences! Making a conscious effort to objectively view, explore, and embrace the differences of others, you would come to know and realize that there are just as many similarities as there are differences. Meaning you may find that you have more in common than not; first, you have to be willing to put aside your ego and superior attitude to extend a sense of mutual respect and consider someone else besides yourself through unselfishness. Today, unfortunately, I have witnessed that same dominating spirit or mindset in many people who feel they are entitled for one reason or another to use exploitation to get whatever they want by any means necessary. That very same self-defeating self-centered selfish dictatorship attitude is adopted by the children of our future by way of example not only through their immediate surroundings; the world in general.
Even so we, when we were children,
were in bondage under the elements of the world:
~ Galatians 4:3
Though life is a series of choices, there are people in the world who have the belief that you are able to control everything that happens in life. I, on the other hand, would beg to differ; many things happen in your life and often times there is no rhyme, reason or explanation.
While enduring the things you encounter in your life, you have the option of choosing how to react or respond, accordingly. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ [Philippians 4:13] But nevertheless, you do not have control over everything that happens to you. Otherwise, I would have, gladly, avoided or dodged a number of obstacles in my life. Especially, the number of countless times, people insulted my intelligence on the basis of their ignorance. You, unfortunately, have no control over the ignorance of another who wishes to impose upon you his negative beliefs, misconceived truths or stereotypes that reinforce his prejudice views about you or others.
Am I therefore become your enemy,
because I tell you the truth?
~ Galatians 4:16
Growing up, I had difficulty believing God would create a diverse group of people, in a world that was intended to be inhabited by us all, to wage war against one another pertaining to our physical [visible] differences as a result of [our unchanging] biology or chemistry. Many nights I cried about the color of my skin, but not because I viewed it as others wanted me to believe. I refused to accept God would purposely create me to be the person I was within the skin that occupied my outer shell to be condemned by others as a result of the color of my skin. Were we not, all, created in the image of God? [And God said, Let us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them (man) have dominion over the fish of the sea, And over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ~ Genesis 1:26]
At what point did we begin to notice our differences and make the determination that one group should rank supreme over the other? How could others who were also created by the same God, in his image, do such horrible things to another human being; such as: separating families by taking a child from its mother to be sold as a commodity, removing the father or a son from a family to be used for breeding as an means of income, removing the mother or daughter against their will to be used for s*xual favors and abused repeatedly for entertainment, defile the body of another human being as a result of beatings, torture, burning, castration, etc. just for sport and feel no remorse as they justified it by nothing other than being allowed to violate the rights of another in accordance to the law as it was written. Something we were reminded of not that long ago by our former president, George W. Bush, when there was much controversy concerning reparations to blacks for slavery in America. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it written, cursed is every one that hangth on a tree: [~ Galatians 3:13] (Ironically, this scripture was perverted and misused during slavery!) Unfortunately, the institution of slavery in America has existed in terms of years a lot longer than the concept of free slaves in the sense of physical bondage.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in,
who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus,
that they might bring us into bondage:
~ Galatians 2:4
I always wondered about the sincerity of those who go to third world countries to lend a helping hand. I would hope their intentions are admirable and without ulterior motive. Could it be their love for God is directed to people? Could it be more about money than humanity? Going after proposals that are directed towards third world countries is big business. It’s a way to get money from the Government without having to pay it back. We just have to prove that we are abiding by the contract; no more, no less. Is it an attempt to deny what they know to be true by putting forth an effort to convince themselves that they are void of prejudice feelings because they make such small sacrifices? Look at me, I can’t possibly be prejudice, otherwise I wouldn’t waste my time helping those people. Or perhaps, it is an attempt to be viewed and treated like gods! Upon the return of my co-workers whose responsibilities of their job afforded them the opportunity to travel overseas, I got the distinct feeling they (my co-workers) attempted to identify me in comparison to those they encountered who as a result of their culture and an economic need, treated my co-workers as if they were royalty. My co-workers in turn would attempt to view me as the hired help (a maid or servant); they had no hesitation asking me to perform duties outside of my job description; such as, cleaning the refrigerator, being expected to use my personal vehicle to chauffer others around – even after my normal working hours, lifting heavy objects in the office with no assistance, and on occasion being asked by my supervisor to go to his home to help his wife clean up or organize their personal items (closets). Announcing my objection, I would state: How dare you ask me to do things for you outside of my job description that you yourself would not consider or be willing to do for me. Do you not see something wrong with that picture? And they would have the nerve to accuse me of being insubordinate.
I would think their cross-cultural experiences in interacting with individuals who have differing attributes and values would give them more of an advantage to encounter others without prejudice. It is apparent that regardless of one’s education or proclaimed sense of religion, their character can be less than favorable towards you as reinforced by false truths and stereotypes contributed by their selfish egos for power and control.
DEFINITIONS:
Culture – predominating attitudes and behaviors that characterize how a group functions or behaves.
Discrimination – refers to the unfavorable treatment of a person based on unfounded biases, prejudice, or stereotypes. Specific types of discrimination: age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, s*xual orientation, or employment to name a few.
Ethnocentrism – A belief demonstrated through a display of behavior that your group (or race) is inherently superior to that of another group (or race). Taking a subjective view that your way is the best way or your race is better.
Minority – generally characterized as being an outsider; however, a minority status can fluctuate and depending upon the social dynamics occurring at the time. Once perceived to be merely a racial distinction; it is a term that’s used to describe a group that represents a relatively smaller percentage of the overall population.
Prejudice – occurs when you make prejudgments about an individual with little or no absolute knowledge. [For example, if you have had a bad experience with an individual, you may prejudge others of the same class, race or group based on your bad experience.]
Stereotypes – rigid and generally negative beliefs that people use to categorize members of a group (race) who share general characteristics. [Biases and bigotry are based on uninformed stereotypes.]
OTHER REFERENCES:
Http://www.aclu.org/religion/govtfunding/1... • NYCLU Sues The Salvation Army for Religious Discrimination Against Employees in Government-Funded Social Services for Children (2/24/2004)
• NYCLU Calls on State Officials to Audit The Salvation Army Employment Practices (1/14/2004)
Pittsburg Tribune-Review by Mark Houser [mhouser@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7995]
Sunday, April 29, 2007: The Salvation Army sued in Boston for firing non-English speakers, employs none here.
• “The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued The Salvation Army this month (April) in U.S. District Court in Boston saying a Framingham, Mass., thrift store violated the civil rights of two female Hispanic immigrants. The lawsuit is the second the EEOC has filed against The Salvation Army involving its English-only rule.”
http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/04/02/eeo... • “Under EEOC’s guidelines, and English-only rule violates the law unless the employer can provide a legitimate business justification for forcing employees to stop speaking their native language. The Salvation Army presented no such justification,” said Estela D’az, trial attorney for the EEOC’s New York district office, in a written statement Friday.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1... http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?S=644... http://www.westword.com/1995-04-19/news/se... Written February 8, 2009
Posted on July 21, 2013
Ann Gwen Mack
Posted By: Ann Mack
Sunday, July 21st 2013 at 5:40AM
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