Kerry Washington on Being an Ally, Being Othered, and The Power of Inclusive Storytelling

In her acceptance speech for GLAAD’s Vanguard Award last month, Actress Kerry Washington spoke on being an ally, being othered, and the power of inclusive storytelling.

“We have been pitted against each other and made to feel like there are limited seats at the table for those of us who fall into the category of other. As others, we are taught that to be successful, we must reject those other others, or we will never belong.”

“We can’t say that we believe in each others’ fundamental humanity, and then turn a blind eye to the reality of each others’ existence and the truth of each others’ hearts. “

“To be represented is to be humanized, and as long as anyone, anywhere is being made to feel less human, our very definition of humanity is at stake and we are all vulnerable.”

Ubuntu,

From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins-Jones, MSW, LLMSW

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I'm a Social Justice Educator and Aspiring Humanitarian who is interested in conflict resolution, improving intergroup relations, and building more equitable and inclusive communities. "Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian" is my blog, where I write about issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. By exploring social identities through written word, film & video, and other forms of media, I hope to continue to expand and enrich conversations about social issues that face our society, and to find ways to take social action while encouraging others to do so as well in their own ways.

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