March 1 is Zero Discrimination Day, a worldwide event to celebrate humanity and appreciate all the things that make us different.
The United States is in a pivotal moment in history — one that will be analyzed for generations to come. It will define how this society is remembered and what it stood for. And, frankly, right now is the perfect time to actually show what it is the majority of the country stands for: love and acceptance.
Here's a good place to start.
March 1 is a day to unite around everyone’s right to live a life of dignity. No matter a person's gender, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, ethnic orientation — you name it — everyone should be accepted for who they are.
There are a million ways to contribute to a world without discrimination. Here are 19 ideas to get you going:
1. Print out this sign and put it in your window or buy one to add some welcoming flair to your front yard!
These signs were first created and posted by the Immanuel Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They were such a hit that they've been spreading all across the internet and the country. Let's keep it up!
Image via Immanuel Mennonite Church.
2. Go to a Human Library and check out people instead of books!
At a Human Library, people volunteer to become "books" and make their experiences open and available, usually on issues that people tend to struggle discussing. "Readers" are encouraged to ask questions freely, and they'll get honest answers in return. Find out if there are any in your area — or how to start one of your own!
Image via the Human Library Organization, used with permission.
3. Pledge to volunteer for a cause you care about in your community — even if it's just one hour a month.
Volunteer Match makes it fast and easy.
4. Brighten up your social media accounts with this Zero Discrimination Day graphic from the YWCA.
Image via YWCA.
5. Sign up for the American Neighbors Pen Pal Project!
This pen pal program is bridging the rural-urban divide one letter at a time. The initiative brings together school-age kids and pairs them with a different culture in a different part of the country. Great for classrooms, but anyone can join!
6. Maybe decorate your neighborhood with welcoming signs like this one?
Image via Morgan Shoaff/Upworthy.
7. Check out one of these 20 children's books that are amazing at celebrating diversity and social justice.
Image via Michael Calcagno/Upworthy.
8. Follow the #365DaysWithDisability photo project.
The Instagram-based project is just one part of the Disability Visibility Project's work in building an online community dedicated to recording, amplifying, and sharing disability stories and culture.
9. Language matters. Some words are up to no good, even if they may seem harmless.
"You Don't Say" is a campaign at Duke University to encourage people to think before they speak. It's something we could all benefit from.
Image via You Don't Say Duke.
Image via You Don't Say Duke.
10. We can help break the stigma on certain issues if we know how to properly talk about them. Take HIV and AIDS, for example:
Image via The Stigma Project.
11. Paint for a more inclusive world!
A fresh coat of paint can make a big statement.
Image via Bethany Johnson/Facebook.
12. Brush up on your history with the new miniseries "When We Rise."
Go back in time to see the struggles, setbacks, and triumphs of LGBT men and women, who helped to pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. civil rights movement. We wouldn't be where we are today without them.
13. Use this how-to guide to help people who are being bullied by people with anti-Muslim sentiments.
Image via Maeril/Tumblr, used with permission.
14. Know what's happening in Congress and easily call on your elected officials to do what's right with the simple the click of a button.
Thanks, Countable.us!
15. Declare your support for gender equality. Say it loud, post it proud.
Image via The Girl Effect.
16. Are you white and unsure what your role is in fighting for racial justice?
This simple guide is so helpful.
17. Gender can be confusing to talk about. Here are some great tips for how to talk about it with kids.
Image via iStock.
18. Take time to really hear the songs you can't stop bopping your head to. What are they saying?
Something to think about. h/t Girls' Globe
Posted by Morgan Shoaff on Thursday, February 13, 2014
19. REGISTER TO VOTE! It takes literally two minutes.
You can help direct the future you want. Make sure your representatives represent YOU.
Zero Discrimination Day might only be one day on the calendar. But let's be real: It should really be every day.
Right now, only 4 in 10 countries have equal numbers of boys and girls going to secondary school, according to the World Health Organization. It also reports that 75 countries still have laws that criminalize same-sex relations. And this year alone, 15 million girls will have married before turning 18. None of that moves our world forward — it only holds it back.
Whether it's at home, in school, at work, in the doctor's office, or in any public space, we all play a part in showing that this country and world are for everyone. It's time to speak up.
Watch the full trailer for ABC's "When We Rise," which begins Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.