Action Read Community Literacy Centre

We all have input into how society works. We all want to live in a fair and equitable world. Being an effective ally contributes to that.

https://www.cultureally.com/blog/the-role-of-allyship-in-promoting-diversity-and-inclusion

Looking to broaden your reading selections? Try one of these suggestions for your next choice. We all need to see our world through the experiences of others to be a better ally.

Every journey begins with just one step, help make the world a better place - become a better ally.

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Using inclusive language helps change the way we see the world and moves it towards a world that represents everyone.

It might take time to get into the habit of substituting these terms, but being aware of the language is the first step.

Every Brain is Beautiful

Definitions to help understand more about the various ways our brains work:

Neurodiversity: The infinite variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions; where each person has a unique combination of abilities, needs and experiences.

Neurodivergent: Describing a person whose neurological development and state are atypical. The inclusive opt-in term was coined by Kassiane in the neurodiversity movement as an opposite for “neurotypical.”

Neurotypical: Describing a person whose neurological development and state conform to what most people would perceive as normal, particularly with respect to sociability, learning, attention, mood, and behavior.

Masking: The process through which neurodivergent individuals hide or suppress their natural traits while mimicking neurotypical behaviors to fit in with the surrounding social environment.

Neurodiversity-affirming support: Approaches that recognize, respect, and accommodate neurological differences without attempting to “normalize” the individual.

Neurodivergent life: The daily experience of navigating the world with a neurotype that differs from the neuromajority, including both challenges and unique strengths.

https://neurodiversityprideday.com/resources/

Every Brain is beautiful!!

Today - 16 June, the world will celebrate Neurodiversity Pride Day for the 9th time.
A global moment in 50+ countries.

A day where neurodivergent people can say: I belong. My brain is beautiful. I am whole.

Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others are natural variations in the human genome. These cognitive differences represent natural diversity in human thinking and processing—not deficits, disorders, or conditions to be cured.
https://neurodiversityprideday.com/

Gender Inclusive and Neutral Language is an important first step in being an ally.

Using gender-neutral language is an important habit because it demonstrates respect for people of all backgrounds, genders, and beliefs, and it includes everyone in the conversation.

Imagine your privilege is a heavy boot that keeps you from feeling when you’re stepping on someone’s feet or they’re stepping on yours, while oppressed people have only sandals. If someone says, “ouch! You’re stepping on my toes,” how do you react?

We can think more clearly about stepping on someone’s literal toes than we usually do when it comes to oppression.
Most of us naturally know the right way to react when we step on someone’s toes, and we can use that to help us learn how to react when we commit microaggressions.

* Center the impacted (to those whose toes are being stepped on): “Are you okay?”
* Listen to their response and learn.
* Apologize for the impact, even though you didn’t intend it: “I’m sorry!”
* Stop the instance: move your foot
* Stop the pattern: be careful where you step in the future. When it comes to oppression, we want to actually change the “footwear” to get rid of privilege and oppression (sneakers for all!), but metaphors can only stretch so far!

From: The Guide to Allyship https://guidetoallyship.com/ -work-of-allyship (based on Kayla Reed’s () tweet sharing her definition of what it means to be an ally.)

Last Call....

LAST CALL! Submissions for the Teen and Children's Poetry contests close Monday June 15th. We're looking forward to reading your brilliant submissions! Winners receive a gift card and a free family pass. Winners are also invited to read at the festival on September 20th. Happy writting!

More information and the submissions page can be found on our website through the link in our bio 🔗

Happy writing!