As an African American and the fact that the nation is celebrating legacy this month I want to stick to this article like postage until I get my message delivered. I would be remised if I didn’t send a shout out to all the African American employees all over the Postal Service. You work in many assignments that keep the United States Postal Service (USPS) afloat. Your tradition is not limited to February because every day your history is taking place.
The recognition of African American/Black history month originated in 1926 as Negro History Week, a week that included the birthdays of two historic leaders, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This Year’s Theme, “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington,” recognizes both the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.
As a point of information tell your family and friends to stock up on Emancipation Proclamation and Rosa Parks postage stamps. I also recommend reading an outstanding book written by a former postal employee Philip F. Rubio “There’s Always Work at the Post Office: African American Postal Workers and the Fight for Jobs, Justice, and Equality,” packed with history you need to know.
Diversity and inclusion must be institutionalized principles of processing and distribution activities to consistently deliver our products and services on time, every day, and with maximum efficiency to our global customers. Daily interaction with your coworkers reminds you that the workforce is comprised of populace from both similar and diverse backgrounds. Misunderstanding cultural distinctions leads to unintended conflicts on the workroom floor ultimately disrupting delivery operations. Take a moment to teach, learn and understand the struggles and tribulations of the organizational natives around you.
If you’re from a particular way of life speak up in 2013 tutoring colleagues through standup talks, displays, discussions, photos and a host of forums to engage participation inside USPS.
Don’t forget about:
• Women History
• Jewish Americans
• Asian Pacific Heritage
• Caribbean American
• Hispanic Heritage
• European American
• Disability Employment
• Arab American
• Native American Heritage
• Older American Month
• Gay and Lesbian Pride
• Cinco de Mayo
• Veterans Day
• Earth Day
Hold your kaleidoscope to the light and faithfully acknowledge there are unlimited reasons to make notice of what is vast. Step up and represent. Don’t wait for someone else to speak on behalf of your customs or what you believe in. You are the expert and must show the other employee’s awareness is important to you. People deserve a spirited lesson from you about your topic. Share the good,
the great, and the best about your ethnicity with them.
My own experiences taught me the more culturally diverse teams are the better ideas, perspectives, and talents are incorporated into finding strengths and overshadowing weaknesses. Bingo! We’ve exceeded production goals again. I wrote all of this to ask for a commitment from each one of you to mix your colors on the workplace canvas so that we can enjoy the different shades of corporate
blue.
Ronald Williams, Jr.