Stereotype

Vatika Naturals Inspires Inclusivity in Workplace with the #RootForMe Campaign

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

NEW YORK, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vatika Naturals, a flagship brand from House of Dabur, is pioneering an empowering initiative this International Women's Day with the launch of their IWD2024 campaign, #ROOTFORME.

Key Points: 
  • South Asian Hair Care Brand Vatika Naturals Champions Diversity with #RootForMe Featuring All-Female Comedy Lineup.
  • NEW YORK, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vatika Naturals, a flagship brand from House of Dabur, is pioneering an empowering initiative this International Women's Day with the launch of their IWD2024 campaign, #ROOTFORME.
  • From being a generic hair care brand for South Asian women, this year Vatika Naturals is embarking on a journey to become the preferred brand by multi-ethnic audiences across the UK and the USA.
  • Redefining women's empowerment this International Women's Day, Vatika leads the conversation with humour to address workplace stereotypes and discrimination, through partnerships with leading stand-up comediennes like Shazia Mirza and Sikisa.

Vatika Naturals Inspires Inclusivity in Workplace with the #RootForMe Campaign

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

LONDON, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vatika Naturals, a flagship brand from House of Dabur, is pioneering an empowering initiative this International Women's Day with the launch of their IWD2024 campaign, #ROOTFORME.

Key Points: 
  • South Asian Hair Care Brand Vatika Naturals Champions Diversity with #RootForMe Featuring All-Female Comedy Lineup.
  • LONDON, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vatika Naturals, a flagship brand from House of Dabur, is pioneering an empowering initiative this International Women's Day with the launch of their IWD2024 campaign, #ROOTFORME.
  • From being a generic hair care brand for South Asian women, this year Vatika Naturals is embarking on a journey to become the preferred brand by multi-ethnic audiences across the UK and the USA.
  • Redefining women's empowerment this International Women's Day, Vatika leads the conversation with humour to address workplace stereotypes and discrimination, through partnerships with leading stand-up comediennes like Shazia Mirza and Sikisa.

New Survey Reveals that Almost 80 per cent of Women Face Ageism in the Workplace

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

The survey explores the nuances of ageism and its impact on women in the workplace.

Key Points: 
  • The survey explores the nuances of ageism and its impact on women in the workplace.
  • More than 80 per cent (80.7 per cent) have witnessed women in the workplace being treated differently because of their age.
  • Survey participants expressed the belief that age is often inappropriately correlated with perceived performance and success, a bias that disproportionately affects women.
  • The survey, Exploring the Impact of Ageism on Women in the Workplace, demonstrates that age-based discrimination is an issue impacting women in the workplace across countries, organizations, industries, and sectors.

Addressing anti-Black racism is key to improving well-being of Black Canadians

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Anti-Black racism continues to be a major determinant of poor health and social outcomes for Black Canadians.

Key Points: 
  • Anti-Black racism continues to be a major determinant of poor health and social outcomes for Black Canadians.
  • Addressing this racism within Canadian institutions — like the health-care system, justice system, the child welfare system and education — has far-reaching implications.
  • Moreover, in the early days of the pandemic, living in a Black community was strongly correlated with a diagnosis of COVID-19.

Contemporary and historical inequities

  • Black Canadians’ experiences are rooted in contemporary and historical inequities, including Canada’s history of slavery and racial discrimination.
  • Policy formulations still shape access to material resources and contribute to structural inequities in Canada, evident in the pervasive low incomes of Black Canadians.
  • While median annual wages generally increase for the Canadian population, Black men’s wages have remained stagnant.

Black youth mental health

  • Black youth spoke most about racism in our research on their mental health experiences.
  • Read more:
    Black men's mental health concerns are going unnoticed and unaddressed

    Income inequality and insufficient financial resources are complicating factors, impeding many young Black men from getting the counselling they need to improve their mental health.

  • LGBTQIA+ Black youth may face dire situations, experiencing racism within the LGBTQIA+ community and homophobia within the Black community.

Addressing inequities

  • Partnering with Black communities is a crucial component in effective efforts to mitigate inequities.
  • Indeed, it is essential that Black community members participate, to capitalize on their strengths and actively engage in improving their well-being.
  • Through my personal and professional experiences, I’ve had a unique glimpse into the brilliance and strengths of various Black communities, which are often untapped.
  • Institutions must do more than just provide education and develop anti-racist policies; they must also ensure accountability in addressing racism.

Looking ahead

  • However, anti-Black racism has consequences for population outcomes for all Canadians, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • These moves will improve health and social outcomes for Black Canadians and generate stronger population outcomes in Canada.


Bukola Salami receives funding from Policywise for Children and Families for a project on mental health of Black youth named in this article

Doxing or in the public interest? Free speech, ‘cancelling’ and the ethics of the Jewish creatives’ WhatsApp group leak

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Not all of members knew they had been added to the group at first, and many didn’t participate in the conversations that resulted in the leak.

Key Points: 
  • Not all of members knew they had been added to the group at first, and many didn’t participate in the conversations that resulted in the leak.
  • Last week, a transcript from the group chat was leaked and uploaded onto social media by pro-Palestinians, including the writer Clementine Ford.
  • The leak gives rise to a complex tangle of contemporary ethical issues, including concerns with privacy, doxing, free speech and “cancelling”.


Read more:
Israel-Hamas war: What is Zionism? A history of the political movement that created Israel as we know it

Privacy and public interest

  • The WhatsApp group was a private one, where group members would have had a reasonable expectation that their conversation would not be made public.
  • Violating people’s privacy (especially through leaking information onto the forever-searchable internet) is always a moral cost.
  • But sometimes that cost must be paid, particularly if the exposure is in the public interest.
  • It could be argued that revealing the WhatsApp group’s activities was in the public interest.

The ethics of doxing

  • It is usually done without the person’s consent, and aims to expose or punish them in some way.
  • A statement from those behind the release asserted no links had been made to members’ addresses, phone numbers or emails, which were all deliberately redacted.
  • However, the release of people’s identities is still a form of doxing and a serious moral concern.
  • Read more:
    What is doxing, and how can you protect yourself?

What was the WhatsApp group doing?


The WhatsApp group conversations were wide-ranging, and some members made statements many might find offensive or upsetting. One part of the group’s activities involved organised letter-writing, including to the employers or publishers of writers or journalists they felt crossed the line into anti-Semitism.

  • Letters can be used to raise awareness of ethical concerns, to share information and ideas, and to persuade.
  • But letters can also do other things, and an innocuous practice can sometimes gradually progress into more fraught territory.
  • They can also try to get people to act in ways that are morally concerning — such as having someone sacked for their political views.

Should artists be protected?


Before the story broke in the media, but after extracts from the group chat began circulating on social media, the Australian Society of Authors Board published a letter noting its “growing concern” that artists and authors in Australia were facing repercussions for expressing their political positions publicly or in their work. The society stated its commitment to freedom of speech (within the limits set by law) and its opposition to attempts to silence or intimidate authors.

  • The society also opposed attempts to intimidate or silence people through hate speech, explicitly noting antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab rhetoric.
  • Hate speech, racism and bigotry, and harmful disinformation or stereotyping, should be stopped, and speakers should face the consequences of their wrongdoing.
  • What we perceive as dangerous misinformation or harmful speech (like antisemitism or Islamophobia) will inevitably be coloured by our cultural, political and moral worldviews.
  • But it is precisely those who think differently who will disagree with us about what counts as harmful or wrongful speech.

Ethical worries

  • Punishing, undermining and silencing others on the basis of our political beliefs gives rise to two potential ethical worries (both arise with respect to the modern phenomenon of “cancel culture”).
  • Each side declares: “We are a support group nobly taking a stand against harmful bigotry and hate.
  • Now, I have reason to push back against you – to no longer tolerate your speech.
  • Tragically, some isolated individuals – not necessarily connected to the pro-Palestinians – felt justified in going further, even to threats of violence.


Hugh Breakey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Geena Davis Institute Publishes New Study Revealing Women in STEM are Underrepresented in TV and Film

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New findings from the latest report by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media reveal male STEM characters on-screen continue to outnumber female STEM characters, despite 71% of young women ages 11-24 agreeing it is important to have female STEM representation on-screen.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New findings from the latest report by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media reveal male STEM characters on-screen continue to outnumber female STEM characters, despite 71% of young women ages 11-24 agreeing it is important to have female STEM representation on-screen.
  • In collaboration with IF/THEN® , an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies , the new study, "Portray Her 2.0, An Analysis of 15 Years of Women in STEM On-Screen, 2007–2022," takes a closer look at the depiction of STEM characters in TV and film, and outlines recommendations for improving diverse STEM representation across entertainment media.
  • Findings from "Portray Her 2.0" revealed:
    There has been little change in the amount of female STEM characters since 2007, with 37% in 2007-2017, and 38% of STEM roles portrayed by women from 2018-2022.
  • From 2018-2022, STEM characters of color increased to 42% of all STEM roles, compared to 29% in 2007-2017.

Super Bowl: events like this are perfect for brand storytelling – unless companies get their messaging wrong

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024

With 115m viewers watching the game last year in the US, 30-second ad spots go for a reported $7m (£5.5m).

Key Points: 
  • With 115m viewers watching the game last year in the US, 30-second ad spots go for a reported $7m (£5.5m).
  • These days, “Super Bowl ads” are highly anticipated in terms of creative, memorable storytelling that hits home.
  • Successful ads leverage the massive platform not just to grab eyeballs, but to reinforce brand values through authentic, engaging stories.
  • Our research showed that employees who believe in the brand will go out of their way to do good.

When brands don’t read the room

  • Reducing environmental harm and standing up for social issues are two examples of consumer expectations of favoured brands, some of which may be tempted to jump on the bandwagon.
  • But soon after, Gillette, in its attempt to play the social activist card, launched its “is this the best a man can get?” campaign.
  • In a dramatic two-minute ad, aspects of toxic masculinity, including bullying, sexism and sexual harassment post-#MeToo were addressed.
  • The consumer base ends up feeling alienated by the brand’s perceived hypocrisy and inauthenticity.

Evolving narratives

  • Research shows that storytelling increases reader identification with characters, shifts attitudes and beliefs and creates more lasting memorability than straightforward delivery of information.
  • Unlike explicit messaging which can feel inauthentic, getting lost in a story can inspire emotions and shape beliefs in a subtle, organic way.

Digital immersive storytelling

  • We propose using immersive digital storytelling techniques for brands to craft and validate the authenticity of their messaging.
  • Interactive digital media enables more participatory story experiences between brands and audiences.
  • Working with a company to showcase their sustainability efforts, we created an immersive storytelling experience using extended reality technology.


The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Why the teenagers who murdered Brianna Ghey should have remained anonymous

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

The two teenagers convicted of the horrific murder of Brianna Ghey have received life sentences.

Key Points: 
  • The two teenagers convicted of the horrific murder of Brianna Ghey have received life sentences.
  • The public might well have a short-term interest in the identities of Brianna Ghey’s murderers.
  • Justice Yip commented that the public would want to know the perpetrators’ names “to understand how children could do something so dreadful”.
  • Naming them will damage their likelihood of future safe release, both in terms of protecting the perpetrators and protecting society.

Black men’s mental health concerns are going unnoticed and unaddressed

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

A lawyer for his family said that he was dealing with a mental health crisis and was not a threat to anyone.

Key Points: 
  • A lawyer for his family said that he was dealing with a mental health crisis and was not a threat to anyone.
  • The incident also shines a light on the mental health concerns among Black men, which too often go unnoticed and unaddressed.
  • There seems to be a lack of urgency to address the mental health concerns of Black men in Canada, which can result in horrifying and deadly encounters with police.

Anti-Blackness as a mental health concern

  • Discussing mental health concerns is important, but we should avoid seeing them as a monolith.
  • Specific mental health concerns can impact a person’s physical and emotional well-being differently, but also their ability to recover and rehabilitate.
  • Although challenges with mental health can impact anyone, we must recognize that dealing with specific mental health issues can be uniquely different, and recovery and treatment can vary between people.

Black men and mental health

  • These feelings and negative stereotypical notions of Black masculinity can hinder Black men and boys’ ability to develop healthy perceptions of themselves and other Black men and boys.
  • The constant pressures Black men and boys face from negative police encounters leads many to avoid police.
  • This lack of engagement leaves mental illnesses among Black men and boys unresolved and reoccurring.
  • Consequently, Black men and boys who are suffering from mental health concerns will more likely have negative encounters with police.

Recognizing Black men’s suffering

  • As a result of stereotyping and social ostracization, there has been a sustained misunderstanding and misconception of Black men and boy’s lived experiences.
  • Recognizing the unique obstacles Black men and boys face is the first step toward this engagement.


Warren Clarke does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Geena Davis Institute Awarded Research Grant by Nielsen Foundation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media announced today that it is the recipient of a $75,000 grant from the Nielsen Foundation to support ongoing research and advocacy initiatives surrounding representation in entertainment and media.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media announced today that it is the recipient of a $75,000 grant from the Nielsen Foundation to support ongoing research and advocacy initiatives surrounding representation in entertainment and media.
  • Founded by Academy Award Winning Actor Geena Davis , The Geena Davis Institute has worked to mitigate unconscious bias while creating equality, fostering inclusion and reducing negative stereotyping in entertainment and media since 2004.
  • "The Nielsen Foundation has been honored to support The Geena Davis Institute's critical work since 2017 to use data to better understand representation in entertainment and media," said Andrea Bertels, President and Executive Director, Grantmaking, Nielsen Foundation.
  • "Our research is rooted in our passion for making media more reflective of the diverse world we live in," said Madeline Di Nonno, President and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute.