Learn the universal three realms of society that DEI touches
I want to thank you for subscribing and wanted to share my Why. Why I feel compelled to do this work, how my own searching of who I am brought me to this place where I help you help others.
My Why really came from my own search of my own identity as a Latina/Hispanic. Growing up, I would eat lots plantains, yucca, fish and potatoes. We would dance to the African drum, to the flutes and full orchestra; and to Celia Cruz and the Fania all stars. Most important to me was this question, how did I become mixed race? How is it that I am African, Native American and European, yet called one thing: Hispanic?
It was on this quest, that I learned about my Indigenous roots from the Incan to the Plains Indians all the way to the Salish tribes. Learning that as the first peoples of America we travelled, we even had common names, like Quil that were common in South America and all the way to North America.
Then growing up, I’d see African roots in my mother and in many art forms. Especially how we danced, the rhythm of Latin American music and in Hip Hop and Rock. I learned about the African Diaspora, the enrichment to the Americas and also the terror of it all.
In school, I received most of my education on European political history, but even then, went beyond to learn about Judaism, and learning the theological roots of Abrahamic religions (Christian, Jewish & Muslim).
My approach to division whether it is race, religious or political is from all the research I have done, and how we can best keep the purpose of integrity of each central and learn ways to communicate approach and perspective.
We often tend to think that if division is political, we can’t speak of it. If it is a racial division both in terms of not understanding the magnitude of history but also not having multicultural relevancy how the unconscious and unintentional pain that is caused and we find ourselves hurt and silence overcomes us. Depending on where we are in the world, every place has a different relationship with religion, and so we tend to not speak about it at all at work, and we are just careful during holidays and events with our language.
What I have learned throughout the years is that these difficult topics are rooted in: economics, politics and spirituality. When a conversation touches on all three and moves around from one area to another, it becomes a dead heap!
What you will learn is how to separate what is central in politics it’s function and tease out opinions on how we approach governing and ensure all voices in our democracy are heard. Spirituality allows us to embrace our complete humanity, and I have learned how some religions have centered one culture and stripped others away. Economics is both a historical and current conversation, knowing what has happened in the past, informs us on how we need to approach conversation and reinvent equitable investments.
Have you ever found yourself, with so many different pieces of half-truths thrown out there and you’d just like to be neutral? Maybe you know inside that there is a universal way around this conflict, but you also realize, you need to learn more?
Here I look to build a safe space where we can ask questions, and identify our cultural blinds spots across the economic, political and spiritual spectrum.
Stay connected and if you need some help with something urgent, feel free to schedule a strategy call here.
Make it a Magical Monday!
Annabel Quintero, M.Ed.
Your Holistic Mindset Advisor
