{"id":33800,"date":"2021-06-16T11:11:43","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T15:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/honeybook.site.strattic.io\/?p=33800"},"modified":"2023-05-31T13:01:14","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T20:01:14","slug":"create-inclusive-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/create-inclusive-content","title":{"rendered":"The truth about creating inclusive content for your brand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Two<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re white, cis-gendered, neurotypical, non-disabled, and\/or a heterosexual leader in any community, whether you have a platform with a small following or you lead a large group with hundreds of creatives: This is for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you\u2019re trying to incorporate diversity through messaging and visuals, you could be doing more harm than good. Genuine inclusion isn\u2019t something that you buy in a package with a checklist or implement with a gallery of stock photos showing people from diverse backgrounds. Change isn\u2019t made simply through posting graphics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genuine inclusion takes work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Deep, uncomfortable, disruptive work, and here\u2019s the truth: A lot of people in positions of privilege aren\u2019t yet ready to let go of their comfort to do the real work that\u2019s required of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To examine their participation in the oppressive, capitalist, white supremacist system that still rules every aspect of our lives \u2014 yes, even our creative businesses. This is a system that many of our fellow creatives and business owners have learned how to operate in just to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a photographer and brand consultant specializing in inclusive branding rooted in core values, I spend a lot of time guiding people through the challenging process of identifying and disrupting their own bias, before they can create and share content that\u2019s welcoming and inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We work to disrupt everything that feels familiar and comfortable to identify that bias on a personal, professional, and community level. The process starts with an examination of their behaviors and beliefs, as well as those of the people and environments they\u2019re connected to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How you can create lasting change through your own inner work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, clarify the importance of inclusion, as well as examples of key terms and behaviors, before getting to the roots of your existing brand (where you\u2019re-visit and re-define core values, beliefs, and commitments).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After you go through the process of doing this deep, often uncomfortable work, then and only then can you get into creating content that speaks to inclusion in a way that\u2019s rooted in core values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Tip: It\u2019s vital to first do the deep, inner work that brings awareness to the ways we all participate in systems that create harm within marginalized communities. Examples of harm include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Not speaking up when you see harm being done.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Excluding people, because they\u2019re \u201cdifferent\u201d in some way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Spiritual, emotional, or experiential bypassing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Using or excusing racial slurs, sexist or homophobic language.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Talking negatively about someone else\u2019s weight, appearance, or disability; or using and excusing microaggressions. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Even in the form of a \u201cjoke,\u201d these things can all cause harm, whether someone points it out or not (and often out of fear of retribution, they won\u2019t). It\u2019s tempting to jump right into using inclusive messaging and visuals, yes. But, if you avoid addressing and engaging in the inner work first, without holding yourself and your community accountable, then you run the risk of causing even more harm. Harmful action can look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Action bias:<\/strong> The need to develop and act on solutions just to feel good about \u201ctaking action\u201d before a problem is even defined or understood\u2014especially when it doesn\u2019t solve the problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Performative allyship:<\/strong> Outwardly showing support for a community or group without doing any real work behind the scenes to understand the challenges or needs of the communities you\u2019re attempting to connect with.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Create inclusive messaging to make a genuine impact <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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      • When you do the deep inner work and you\u2019re ready to create inclusive content, then it\u2019s time to consider your message and who you\u2019re inviting into your brand and community. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • You have to create from a place of understanding and consider that everyone has their own unique lived experiences in addition to their identities, which influences the way they connect with brands and the content that gets shared. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n