# data[].attributes.body
Click on the circle plus ("+") icon at the bottom right of the screen and begin writing your reflection to the prompt while we set up breakout rooms.

You'll have 12 minutes to individually reflect or to discuss with others. If you finish early, take a moment to read what others have said. You can "like" another comment by clicking on the heart at the bottom of their post.

Please note, you do not have to include your name with your reflection.

# data[].attributes.headline
Being Our Authentic Selves = Doing Our Best Work

# data[].attributes.subject
Being Our Authentic Selves = Doing Our Best Work

# data[].attributes.body
Thinking about how covering might also be perceived to be part of an emotionally intelligent response and not just a defense mechanism

# data[].attributes.headline
I can completely related to the covering regarding hip hop music. I listen to it so that I can relate to my teenage and young adults son, but at the same time, when I think of my professional image I am not so quick to share that I might know all the lyrics to a TI song. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I can completely related to the covering regarding hip hop music. I listen to it so that I can relate to my teenage and young adults son, but at the same time, when I think of my professional image I am not so quick to share that I might know all the lyrics to a TI song. 

# data[].attributes.headline
When I was younger, I covered as not having children to prevent being passed up for development opportunities at work. The experience that I have professionally with this issue is comments like "you're too young", "I would never have guessed," and "I wouldn't have asked you if I knew..." If I were more accepted and had a culture of belonging I would have felt more comfortable building personal relationships with my co-workers. 

# data[].attributes.subject
When I was younger, I covered as not having children to prevent being passed up for development opportunities at work. The experience that I have professionally with this issue is comments like "you're too young", "I would never have guessed," and "I wouldn't have asked you if I knew..." If I were more accepted and had a culture of belonging I would have felt more comfortable building personal relationships with my co-workers. 

# data[].attributes.headline
reflecting on how white people bring their whole selves and are often applauded whera s Black and Brown have to cover to just have a voice. 

# data[].attributes.subject
reflecting on how white people bring their whole selves and are often applauded whera s Black and Brown have to cover to just have a voice. 

# data[].attributes.body
One of the many things I appreciate about the ELL is the times that help identify issues--in this case covering. Understanding identity in a different way an additional new way that opens doors to further though (social ecology).

# data[].attributes.body
Covering can happen at an organizational level - as we think about who we stand up with.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sometimes covering allows me to escape the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by having the same conversations about the "isms" again and again. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Sometimes covering allows me to escape the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by having the same conversations about the "isms" again and again. 

# data[].attributes.headline
I'm starting to think about whether code switching in the professional setting is a form of covering. Somewhat related, but differing is that  I'm from the south and I know that I actively monitor my language and accent when in a professional settings so that you can't tell.

# data[].attributes.subject
I'm starting to think about whether code switching in the professional setting is a form of covering. Somewhat related, but differing is that  I'm from the south and I know that I actively monitor my language and accent when in a professional settings so that you can't tell.

# data[].attributes.body
business professional dress code prevented celebrating culture and individuality through dress

# data[].attributes.headline
have a colleague who was recently put in jail for 2 nights...covering for them and supporting them. painful on multiple levels. how f-up the system is and how EASY it is to get someone arrested and put behind bars...

# data[].attributes.subject
have a colleague who was recently put in jail for 2 nights...covering for them and supporting them. painful on multiple levels. how f-up the system is and how EASY it is to get someone arrested and put behind bars...

# data[].attributes.body
The concept of covering REALLY resonated with me. I think of the steps that POC and WOC have to take to remain safe in this country, and how sometimes white colleagues can seem oblivious or even indicate that other staff are too cautious when.. we're just reacting to the world we live in.

# data[].attributes.body
I can relate to and have also witnessed advocacy-based covering at my organization. Conditions that I perceive of contributing to the moment is being in an organization with the dominant identity not your own, and not wanting you opinion to be discredited/discounted in the future.

# data[].attributes.body
I think it's hard to always validate behaviors with ascribe to groups as monoliths. If I am black and dislike rap music or white and love it,  I might cover because there is an expectation of different from the larger group

# data[].attributes.body
For gender covering, especially as a nonbinary person, it feels easier to default to or include binary pronouns instead of having to explain and be the one who is responsible for correcting pronoun usage. I think that cis people don't think about gender diversity as much and often excuse their misgendering of trans and nonbinary people as them needing to learn. Even the best intentioned still can cause harm and it's always difficult to correct and constantly be thinking of my own gender.

# data[].attributes.headline
Covering at a holiday party, where it's all about Christmas. Even though I'm Jewish, and I want to celebrate... (but then feel a little guilty for not calling out that I don't observe Christmas holiday)

# data[].attributes.subject
Covering at a holiday party, where it's all about Christmas. Even though I'm Jewish, and I want to celebrate... (but then feel a little guilty for not calling out that I don't observe Christmas holiday)

# data[].attributes.body
Appearance based covering is an example of covering I used to do because my hair would also be seen as different so people would touch it out of the blue. At first, I thought that was a compliment but then realized I don’t like it bc it can be weird. So for a time I stopped doing “extra” things to my hair. People can appreciate my hair without making me feel like an other.

# data[].attributes.headline
I engage in covering related to my disability, so much so that I didn't even acknowledge until recently that I have a disability. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I engage in covering related to my disability, so much so that I didn't even acknowledge until recently that I have a disability. 

# data[].attributes.headline
I used to wear only muted colors - navy, white, black, beige. Now I embrace more prints and colors and jewelry that feel more authentic to myself. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I used to wear only muted colors - navy, white, black, beige. Now I embrace more prints and colors and jewelry that feel more authentic to myself. 

# data[].attributes.headline
I have recognized that I can never "cover" my racial identity as an Asian American but can usually cover my other identities as an immigrant, as a gay man, etc.

# data[].attributes.subject
I have recognized that I can never "cover" my racial identity as an Asian American but can usually cover my other identities as an immigrant, as a gay man, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
One of the loneliest spaces to be in is in a fully white or predominantly white group after acts of violence or brutality happen to people who look like me. And having to cover my own processing and grief amidst the dichotomy of the spaces I exist in.

# data[].attributes.body
Speaking on LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts in my work, I find myself covering that I am part of that community (bisexual). I currently have a partner of a different sex than me, so many assume sexual orientation as "straight." Even with accepting org cultures/projects, bi erasure, biphobia, and stigma are present and it can be challenging to speak up.

# data[].attributes.headline
When I am participating in meetings or convenings in more conservative parts of the country, I often cover my sexual orientation as a queer woman by omitting reference to my wife or not disclosing that my son has two moms when conversation turns to family/parenting depending on my perceived level of safety. 

# data[].attributes.subject
When I am participating in meetings or convenings in more conservative parts of the country, I often cover my sexual orientation as a queer woman by omitting reference to my wife or not disclosing that my son has two moms when conversation turns to family/parenting depending on my perceived level of safety. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Re not bringing your full self to work: I'm not sure anyone brings their full self to work. I don't even though I'm white, heterosexual and cis-gender. The norms of professionalism impose boundaries/strictures on all of us. Still I get that these norms are generally formed by white people and white culture and therefore BIPOC people probably feel much less able to their full selves. But I'm not sure the goal is ever for professional settings to not have professional norms that are different from norms in our personal lives. Would be curious to discuss this more and to get help thinking about the ways we can have professional norms that feel inclusive. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Re not bringing your full self to work: I'm not sure anyone brings their full self to work. I don't even though I'm white, heterosexual and cis-gender. The norms of professionalism impose boundaries/strictures on all of us. Still I get that these norms are generally formed by white people and white culture and therefore BIPOC people probably feel much less able to their full selves. But I'm not sure the goal is ever for professional settings to not have professional norms that are different from norms in our personal lives. Would be curious to discuss this more and to get help thinking about the ways we can have professional norms that feel inclusive. 

# data[].attributes.body
I don't talk about my ADD at work even though it's probably obvious to everyone because I don't want people's opinions about ADD in general or other people they know w/ADD to get superimposed on their impression and expectations of me.

# data[].attributes.headline
I have observed that alternatives are hard to adopt in white-led orgs because they are seen as too costly, innovative, or unrealistic to implement. Also, they are perceived to lack measurable outcomes. BIPOC staff are often elevating numerous alternatives that are not embraced. Or, a rationale argument is developed for why they won't work.

# data[].attributes.subject
I have observed that alternatives are hard to adopt in white-led orgs because they are seen as too costly, innovative, or unrealistic to implement. Also, they are perceived to lack measurable outcomes. BIPOC staff are often elevating numerous alternatives that are not embraced. Or, a rationale argument is developed for why they won't work.

# data[].attributes.body
I would love to have more convo about how (whether?) to separate that "professionalism" convo from "covering."  As someone who is a privileged non-conformist it's hard for me to figure out how to show up for others who could use active support for bringing more of themselves to work when I'd like to blow up the whole patriarchal repressive norming of "office culture."