I fully embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, even though I have no employees. I will apply the objectives of DEI to all who contact me with questions or assistance with health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
California was the site of the most diverse collection of individuals in the world in 1849. Men from all over the world trekked to California to mine for gold. Not only was this population of miners incredibly diverse, speaking a variety of languages and identifying with various religions, for a short period of time, there was also equity and inclusion among the argonauts.
I am not attempting to romanticize the Gold Rush. It was a harsh life with too much alcohol and men who committed criminal acts. However, for those men devoted to mining for gold, most were treated equally and included in mining companies along the river. The measure of a man was the work they put in every day in search of gold.
The brief period of equity and inclusion would wither away when California became a state injecting politics into the mining communities. In addition, the preachers showed up reminding men that the Christian religions of the time permitted men to be prejudicial and discriminatory based on selected mythologies.
As an independent health insurance agent, I have spoken and worked with people from Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, South America, Australia, Korea, China, and Japan, to name just a few of the countries. All these people, from around the world, call California home, not unlike the Gold Rush of 1849.
It is my business model to welcome this diverse group of individuals and treat each person with equity and respect. I welcome and include people from all over the world and the U.S. because it makes me a better person and insurance agent. These people bring unique family situations into our conversations. What I learn from their experience, I can pass along to other people.
The diversity of individuals who call me is not limited to people from other counties. I work with people who identify as gay and transgender, along with same sex married couples. I welcome all these human beings because their identities do not diminish their need or the importance of access to affordable and equitable health care.
While some state and federal government agencies may be attempting to abolish and erase the principles of DEI, I will not participate in that pogrom. Regardless of who is elected, or legislation passed, no government can stop me from practicing DEI.
Below is a link to the YouTube video I created outlining my DEI affirmation.
