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Supporting Black History Month
Linked with Plus Value Awareness
This is a special article with an insight through my observation and some of personal experences
Since developing awareness projects more than two decades ago, I've seen a lot of development and progress, which enable understanding and an open mind. This is important to make sure every multicultural person living with specific difficulties that
are not visible I'm not taking advantage of feels pressurized or ashamed.
Despite the positive progress we can't be complacent. There are still barriers and stigma and the number of ways.
For example there is still an exaggeration of false perception and engagement if a person is psychologically and they mostly compromise in a variety of ways.
Any kind of nature and consideration can be used against a person with difficulties because of the colour of their skin. Including staging situations to psychologically humiliate them because they're difficulties and to cause make them emotionally compromise then to cause maximum shame and embarrassment
Also there are still closed minds that deliberately demonise a person's existence because of their difficulties and colour of their skin.
This means some people are pressurised to hide their stigma can back fire when extreme situation goes against them.
This means a person can prevention seeking help or assistance especially when they face an unhelpful stigma that has a lot of early or face rejection when confiding in someone. In addition they can face an unhelpful response that will not help the situation including unhelpful suggestions of medical treatment or go to hospital. I have received this kind of response I have faced in a compromising situation.
A change of Mindset
The status quo towards Multicultural individuals living with hidden related difficulties has to change. This includes having an open mind, showing empathy, anti intervene less. If you are a family member a friend or any contact with hidden differences and you are going through a challenging time it is essential to recognise that they also might need some support and someone to listen to especially if they have no limited amount of contacts or surroundings to confined to. This is important which enables them to support you as well.
It is also important to listen without judgment to anyone who faces negative stigma on top of their compromising circumstances.
Written by Keith Mckenzie
Select the link below to discover more about me
Awareness Focus: Multicultural edition
A special awareness feature on the Plus Value Awareness website specifically related to multicultural adults with hidden differences with specialised articles and information awareness projects
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Beyond Commonwealth: Q&A
A special Q&A information web page on my insight related to my developments and my ambitions and passion. Linked with the video I was featured for Birmingham City Council.
INFORMATION
Hidden differences are used as a collective description of independent and articulate young people and adults who live with types of difficulties that are not visually obvious
Visit the information page of the Plus Value Awareness wesbite to explore
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Linked with the
Awareness Projects category
and
Visit the website to explore
© Copyright Keith Mckenzie
Note to editors
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.
In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games
Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision
Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).