Huh? What advantage I hear you cry?
Lack of diversity in creative industry
I remember a boss in an advertising agency I worked at, saying how lucky I was to be black. I was dumbstruck and asked him why? Well, you stand out. (that was true, I knew nearly all of the black female agency executives. Black male agency execs were virtually non-existent.
People remember you he explained. I had never thought of it in that way. And the opposite is true – being remembered can be a responsibility. For example, when I was at school and teachers would expect me to be a ‘trouble-maker’ like the black girl in the previous year. The concept of being an individual with my own thoughts and experiences was unheard of, in the eyes and ears of colleagues, teachers, I must be more of what had gone before.
Prejudice fails everyone
I worked hard, feeling a new pressure of expectation on my ability to do the job – and yes, in spite of my awkwardness about this, everyone new me and remembered me. A fuck up would reach the bosses’ attention before I had the chance to email them. But then so were the accolades – I was pretty good at winning new business pitches, which also got noticed – so there is a double-edge to being different in a homogeneous work or school setting: you can make your mark. However, it’s important to remind people of your individuality. You are NOT a representative of your race, gender, neurotype or country of origin.
Neurodiversity can be a creative advantage
What brings us together as humans is shared experiences. There is so much focus on difference at the moment, I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts in my talk about looking beyond individual difference to focusing on shared human difficulties and how shifting our focus to attainment through creativity, is an excellent channel to overcome environmental barriers.
Suzy will be presenting Creativity & Individuality: Emotional Expressions of Neurodiversity
I absolutely can’t wait.
© Suzy Rowland