Lack of Inclusivity is One of My Biggest Turn Offs

Lack of inclusivity. It's a huge turn-off for me. I appreciate people beyond words who are inclusive and open, accepting, and caring. Those kinds of people are treasures, in my humble opinion. The people with whom I have gotten along the best in life are those who are inclusive. Now, we all have our limits, of course, but being inclusive is truly a mark of emotional intelligence and confidence. On the other hand, those who lack inclusivity are often insecure, and this is not an attractive trait.

Even as a child, I have aimed to be inclusive. My friends were often those who were seen as outcasts or undesirable. I never liked it when people would ignore or cast out someone else. Recently, at a family funeral, one of my sister-in-laws was almost left out of going to the family dinner, and I was appalled by this. After leaving, I have found that I identify closely with her. 

My last job, Kalaloch Lodge, seemed to be inclusive at first. They hired a wide range of people from many backgrounds. Yet, I would later realize that this was out of desperation, not out of desire for benevolence. I wrote a review of Kalaloch Lodge, and one of my complaints was how it became a "club" during the third year. If you were "in the club" you were accepted and treated well. If you were not in the club, you were pushed out. I saw it over and over again. Even after I was pushed out, I saw good employees fired. One employee said she was "shocked that they did not rehire me." Why would they? I was too different. My background was one of international travel, law, and educational attainment. I was also a free thinker. I accepted those whom they cast out over and over again. They surely were appalled by how I made friends with the people they wanted to be rid of. After these events, management grew cold with me and treated me with disdain. It was disheartening to experience. 

Later, Delaware North told me that I was forbidden to write about my experience at Kalaloch Lodge. I do not accept that. I will never accept that. Instead, I understand that we can freely write about our life experiences and tell our stories. The fact that Kalaloch Lodge and Delaware North want me to be silent on this shows that they have something to hide and have done something wrong. I would strongly tell others to consider this if they are thinking about working there. For those who are "different," please think twice before you work at this place.

But this doesn't just have to do with my job at Delaware North & Kalaloch Lodge. I have experienced this throughout life. Some places have been incredibly accepting, and I love that. I think that, if we as people could just open up and celebrate the differences of others, then this world would be such a beautiful place. However, especially in this current political climate, that is a hard sell. I come from a family and place where acceptance is not easily come by. This blog is different than my last blog where I blasted all of that, and I don't want to go into that here, but I did want to get this message off my chest: "Those who do not accept others are doing themselves a disservice in life." You honestly have no clue how much brighter and more beautiful the world is once you open up to those who are different and learn from them. I have made so many good friends throughout life who have been uniquely themselves. They have stories to tell and interesting lives to back them up.