I recently attended a conference on tackling stigma.
Looking around I realised that I was one of the few people at the conference who doesn’t face significant stigma every day.
I found myself asking the question, what is my role here?
This led me to wonder why current anti-stigma/discrimination programs don’t seem to work:
People might feel less stigmatised if we encourage them to represent their own points of view.
Systemically our cultures could be better founded on a spirit of mutual respect.
We could use language to embrace difference and encourage multiple points of view.
Why is the world unable to cope with difference of views, ideas, identities, sexuality, personal practices, religion, and race?
It’s complex and simple at the same time, and it comes down to one basic concept:
Be respectful to someone who is different.
So I set myself a personal challenge to create spaces of inclusivity, to help people acknowledge and respect difference, and to reinforce the need for opposing views that are not harmful or derogatory.
I don’t need to speak for those who are stigmatised. I need to help create a space in which they feel safe to speak their own truth.
Why don’t you join me in being respectful to people who are different.
And by doing so help reduce stigma and discrimination.
