Introduction

As the pride comes to a close, let’s look back and recall all the support the community got from brands and local businesses that really touched our hearts.

Often big brands are criticized on cashing on the movement and doing the least bit possible by just changing their DPs to show support or doing campaigns that are merely tended to generate revenue for them rather than doing any good for the community.

But having said that, even though some of these moves are strategically designed marketing strategies to benefit these mega giants but we still can’t forget these big players have the ability to reach and influence a large number. So, even though their humane approach to things might be intended to firstly benefit themselves still we can’t ignore the impact they have on our society.

Coca-Cola’s Campaign in Brazil in 2018

One such marketing was Coca-Cola’s “This Coke is a Fanta” in Brazil. In a world riddled with prejudices, the LGBT community is often targeted with homophobic language. This phrase has been used by the locals in a derogatory way for the LGBTQ+ community for ages and has attracted criticism for the community itself time and again.

In a campaign, Coca-Cola put a 360-degree spin on the expression mentioned above. The beverage manufacturing company literally designed Coke cans with Fanta inside them. The core message of the campaign was: This Coke is a Fanta, so what?

As a result of this new spin, the very expression that caused discomfort to homosexuals all over Brazil became a pride symbol.

Bakery in Texas

Next up is a small Bakery in Texas that lost business and followers due to posting support for the LGBTQ+ community. The message sent was “More Loves, less hate”, but what they received was quite the opposite.

The positivity and the support they intended on spreading actually backfired and they received a series of hate comments and someone going as far as canceling a huge order with the bakery. The owner took to social media to update about the same and how they have a surplus so tag along.

But what happened next something that we could hardly imagine. The post attracted more than 11,000 likes, from people around the world, with people more local to east Texas promising to visit the bakery. Many of them actually queued up outside the bakery in support as promised.

Conclusion

These instances show the strength we have as a community but also that the LGBTQ+ community has been subject to unfair criticism and atrocities. The very basic right of being acknowledged has been challenged time and again.

The question is are we gonna stay as bystanders or extend our support and spread love. Lastly, let’s end it with the note to self that everyone has the right to make a choice and have freedom.

Acknowledging the community is the basic thing we can do and if we don’t agree with them then we can disagree in silence because they have every right to make that choice for themselves and even though butting in is like a second profession for us but sometimes we need to know when to draw the line.

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The cheerful one, the bouncy ball of the lot, the one who is easy to love; the extrovert. They are always full of energy and never shy away from being the center of attraction. Yeah, they sure are cute. And then there is the quiet and shy one waiting to be adored in a corner, not too much attention, just a little bit; the introvert, the one waiting to be adopted by an extrovert.

The puffballs full of energy are always the more loved ones as they simply leave a better impact in a short while. Introverts really at times can be hard. They take their time to open up and show their true selves. And that is why at times they are considered arrogant or a brooder.

As an introvert myself, I have time and again heard people that aren’t close to me complain about how quiet I am but the people who know me call me noisy. So, which one it is?

To be honest, both are two different sides of my personality. Me being an introvert has no impact on my communication skills rather it is more like my will to initiate the conversation. Introverts take their sweet time to open and get comfortable around people but once they do, they too can be the life of the party but just prefer not to because too much attention makes them exhausted. Let’s just let the extrovert have their share of fun.

An introvert’s source of energy isn’t people rather it comes from within. And I know if I say it comes from books, it might hold true in my case but not in everyone’s and that is one thing I hate about this introvert v/s extrovert debate, they tend to stereotype you.

I being an introvert is my part of my personality, my personality trait to be exact, it might influence my behavior but that isn’t who I am. That’s not who I am as an individual, there is more to me than being an introvert.

I can lead a conversation, give a presentation in a room full of people and yet turn to books or even binge-watch Gossip Girl to replenish my energy.

Can we next break the myth that introverts are better observers and are the best people to have a one-on-one conversation with? Extroverts are generally so full-on energy that they might miss some points in their excitement. Absolutely agreed.

There might be a chance that may happen but then there is also a possibility that it might not. Just because they are surrounded by people doesn’t mean they cannot sit down and have a heart-to-heart with you. To do this you need emotional understanding and the power to listen to others. And sorry to break it to you in my eyes it has nothing to do with us being an introvert or an extrovert.

You know in the same way, introverts sometimes can be very detached from people and might not really be observing others at all and hence miss to notice some serious signs. Calmness doesn’t equal good observers. One just needs to make sure they are actually looking and not just seeing others in order to be called good observers.

The coin really flips both ways. Extroverts aren’t always superficial and introverts aren’t always loners.

Introverts surely find solace in solitude but that doesn’t mean we want to be alone always. Sometimes, we just are waiting for the right extrovert to come our way and adopt us and then complain they create a monster. Exactly, they created one hehe let’s keep this as our little secret.

“Hey, you’ve been hired, and we’re sending you an offer letter.” You have 24 hours to accept the offer.”

“Kindly check the details and get back to us as soon as possible.”

I’ll never forget the day I got that phone call. I felt like I was on cloud nine. I was so desperate that I accepted the offer without even thinking. It was, after all, MY FIRST STEP IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD.

When I think back to that day, I remember everything. A fresher is extra nice to people, a little confused, asks a lot of questions to get clarity, tries to understand everything as soon as possible, is nervous, and so on.

Here are some lessons I’ve learned that I’d like to share with a fresher.

1) Don’t be quick to judge anyone. Everyone who talks politely to you is not your friend. Don’t overshare unless you know the person well. With time, you will learn to understand people.

2) You need at least 2-3 real friends for survival.  A trustworthy person who can be your go-to person and is a good listener. These people will keep you happy and sane. Someone in front of whom you can cry when times are tough.

3) Don’t take anyone’s shit that they throw at you. People who work in a company are all employees, and no one can treat anyone unfairly, regardless of their position. However, you will meet people who are smarter than you. Someone whose personality traits you aspire to emulate in order to achieve success in life. Observe them.

You must understand that there is a difference between tolerating disrespect and listening to things that will help you learn.

4) You need to have a good network. You have to ask for help from people. You can’t do everything yourself. Ask questions as much as you can. There is a chance that people will not answer everything, but the fact is that you can ask stupid questions also in the beginning only.  Develop a brand value as well – something you’re good at and with which you can help people.

5) Your work ethics matters. You will learn the importance of written communications. You need to have formal e-mails for clarifications in the future if required. But be kind. Don’t say anything that might offend someone. You have no idea what anyone is going through in life, so don’t add to their misery.

6) You are replaceable. Take a break when required. Working is important but don’t overdo it.  If the work can be completed tomorrow, there is no need to stretch the working hours. Also, fight for yourself whenever needed.

7) It’s okay to make mistakes. But don’t repeat the same mistake again. There would be a time when you will badly mess up but don’t regret it. Find someone who can help you, guide you properly. In case your senior isn’t helping you in the initial days then reach out to the above level for asking him/her to get changed immediately. We all need guidance. Don’t depend on anyone. This is an office, not a college or a school. Of course, you cannot expect to be spoon-fed, but you do deserve someone to look up to.

8) Don’t doubt yourself. You don’t need validations from anyone. Give your best even if people aren’t appreciating it. Stop before you feel like a machine that just never stopped. Be honest.

9) Try to figure out your ideal career path. If you want, you can continue working while pursuing higher education. If you don’t like the work or the culture then don’t waste your time, money, or energy. Because if you don’t realize this early on, you’ll get stuck and have a lot of regrets later. Try to finish your education as soon as possible because your age increases the chance of you becoming reluctant.

Finding the right partner can be a herculean task. As it is rightly stated –
“There is no perfect, there will always be a struggle. You just have to pick who you have to struggle with.” Choose wisely!

There can be various things you may consider when you choose a life partner such as – appearance, qualifications, income, family background, interests, behavior, etc. (The list can be never-ending) 😛

However, according to me, there are a few basic things to surely consider before saying YES to someone in a relationship.

1) Respect

In my opinion, this is the most crucial aspect of every relationship. If someone can’t value your feelings, abilities, achievements, and opinions then that someone doesn’t deserve you in the first place.

Even if someone is better than you, they should never put you down in front of others. Even if he or she needs to correct you on something, it should be done in a place where no one else can hear.

2)Communication

Are you comfortable sharing your secrets with someone and they won’t judge you? Can you talk your heart out to that someone? Is that someone an active listener when you talk? To avoid miscommunication, for better understanding of each other, to express what someone means – can you communicate?

If the answer to the above questions is a YES, then you are good to go.

3)Sense of Humor

It can be one of a person’s most appealing characteristics. If that person can make you laugh or cheer you up when you’re sad, believe me when I say it’s icing on the cake.

However, there is a thin line between positive and hostile humor. Make sure that humor won’t let you feel bad about yourself. Laughing with you and laughing at you are two different things.

4)Compatability

Compatibility, in my opinion, is when two people decide to find common ground and try to make things work out amicably. We are all unique individuals. You won’t know if you’re compatible right away, but with time, you’ll be able to figure it out.

As a result, it’s important to understand that in a successful relationship, adjustments are more important than compromises. It’s okay to adjust in order to make things work, but if you’re the one who always has to compromise then you should reconsider your decision.

5)Emotional Intelligence

Compatibility, in my opinion, is when two people decide to find common ground and try to make things work out amicably. We are all unique individuals. You won’t know if you’re compatible right away, but with time, you’ll be able to figure it out.

As a result, it’s important to understand that in a successful relationship, adjustments are more important than compromises. It’s okay to adjust in order to make things work, but if you’re the one who always has to compromise then you should reconsider your decision.

Someone correctly stated “There is no perfect, there will always be a struggle. You just have to pick who you have to struggle with.”

And basic criteria can vary from person to person, so tell us what is the most significant value you desire in your

“To be partner”?

News Flash:

As the news of Naomi Osaka withdrawing from the French open due to her struggle with depression hits us up, the stigma around mental health somehow seems more real than ever.

The fellow players actually had mixed review and some of them even stated that the press conferences can be difficult but it is a part of the job or I hope she doesn’t regret it, makes you wonder when did the hustle become more important than our mental peace.

The Question:

What is it that she would really regret? The fact that she took time off before her anxiety and depression took a toll on her and didn’t start hating the sport that once was her source of happiness, will she really regret this? Ask yourself when did mental health became an excuse and not the priority but then when was it a priority, to begin with?

The Reality:

Our lifestyle and society have always been more inclined towards the viewpoint that in order to be successful one needs to burn themselves out and the hustle has always been normalized. But if losing yourself and hating the very source of your happiness is the new normal then isn’t being the outcast way better?

We really need to rethink our priorities before it kills us. The Guardian labeled her move as courageous when all it was really basic.

Battle between Hustle and Mental Health

Picking mental wellbeing is a basic necessity for everyone. Oh, not if you want to be successful I guess, then it is hustling. Because 18 hours of working shift and 10k increment is exactly what I call success and surely that makes me the happiest, right?

To think you need to go through depression to actually learn what it really is, is actually sad. Why didn’t we learn this basic concept in school itself you ask. Oh but you did learn it, first hand in school but the only problem was that it wasn’t taught by the teachers but by experiencing it. They told us to be the best, not the best that we can be.

And even today when we all are facing the worst pandemic, yet for some reason, we are still expected to hustle like nothing is happening.

This hustle culture is based on the belief that you can only succeed in life only if you exert yourself to the point of sacrificing your sleep cycle and sanity and that my friend is actually toxic.

So the question is until when are we gonna live the hustle and sacrifice our mental peace?

Click the button to read more on if it is okay to give up?

Introduction:

“We do ourselves no favors by pretending none of this ever happened ..We should know the good, the bad, everything. That’s what great nations do: They come to terms with their dark sides”.

President Joe Biden recently recognized one of the worst incidents of racial hate in the country’s history, the only sitting American Head to do this.

Tulsa Massacre (May-June 1921) is one of the violent killings of the African – American by the hands of the whites, the killings which shocked the nation and the world.

Not only the well-to-do African Americans were killed mercilessly but also there was extensive damage done to their property.

Background :

Tulsa is a place which was founded by the descendants of slaves and was known as the habitat of the African American who suffered from the harsh Jim Crow Laws in pre-civil rights America. Later on, it was popularly known as the “Black Wall Street “ of the US.

However it seemed that when the community of color ,which suffered the decade long oppression, rose to the higher economic strata , caused a lot of displeasure and resulted in violent mass killings.

What was even shocking was that even after facing such lethal action they could not muster the courage to speak as they feared the reprisal and covered up the massacre. It was only in 2000, it was described in the Oklahoma Public School Curriculum.

Some Historians have argued that Tulsa City officials were not only instrumental in covering up the crimes but also shifted the focus from massacre to riots, putting the blame on the black community.

Later on, the 2001 report was submitted by the Tulsa Race Riot Commission which made it clear that things had been covered up.

Way Forward:

What comes ahead is that recognition is a first step and action should be streamlined to address the root causes of the disparity.

We often have heard of the movements like BLM where we saw a wide range of support provided by the noted people of the society, however, a lot is still to be done and one should focus more on reducing the discrimination through an effective policy measure, and a bottom-up approach will surely help in reducing such incidents.

This is one of the many episodes which has been put in lights, yet there are many more such cases that people are not talking about. It’s high time to consider humanity above all the discriminations.

Click on the button to read about the Israel-Palestine conflict