Posts by Diana Skelton
By Diana Skelton Since the U.S. presidential election, many questions have been raised about “fake news,” access to information, and opportunities for everyone to learn more about current events and freely discuss disagreements, instead of getting stuck in echo chambers that lack a diversity of viewpoints. We’ve also heard more questions about identity politics: as…
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By Diana Skelton (France) Have you ever heard it said that “poverty is a powder keg”? That image has been used by leaders like Bill Clinton and Desmond Tutu in an attempt to spur society to overcome poverty — a worthy goal. But unfortunately that same image feeds the stereotype of the poor as violent,…
By Diana Skelton (France) The United Nations is planning a World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) — scheduled for May 2016 in Istanbul — in order to improve the effectiveness of aid to victims of both armed conflicts and natural disasters. Because the world population has continued to grow, the areas affected by natural disasters are more…
By Diana Skelton (France) I really should have known better. A few days ago, I was chatting with a French friend of mine. When our conversation turned to the Charlie Hebdo shootings, I began reeling off questions—when she lost her temper with me. “You’re piling on!” “But I was only asking questions! There are so…
By Diana Skelton (France) “Human rights are not charity; they’re about justice.” This quote, and the cartoon illustrating it, was singled out as the favorite of a lively group I had the chance to join in Glasgow several weeks ago. A hundred of us were gathered to mark Human Rights Day for an Innovation Forum…
By Diana Skelton (France) “In the two years I was homeless, the main thing that was reinforced within me was that I was not worthwhile, that I did not belong, not only to the community, but maybe even to humankind.” — Zenobia Embry-Nimmer “Homeless families have to attend meetings on parenting, budgeting, and nutrition. I…
By Diana Skelton (France) “Why are you wasting time by reaching out to people who can’t be bothered to come to meetings, or who don’t dare open their mouths? You’re bottom-dragging.” I was shocked when I heard the words “bottom-dragging,” a terribly insulting way to refer to efforts to connect people with one another. The…
By Diana Skelton (France) The oppressed have been silenced and unheard for as long as oppression has existed. But the rapid changes in communications in recent years are transforming the nature of what it means to be unheard. Before social media, public discourse about poverty and injustice remained highly controlled: by publishing magnates, professional lobbyists,…
Author: Diana Skelton (France) “Competition breeds excellence” is a mantra I heard growing up. But excellence at what exactly? Some of the most competitive business schools in the United States have trained finance wizards to gamble on the value of basic human necessities, like food and homes, winning huge profits for themselves, while bankrupting many…
Together in Dignity 