Hi all!
Hope you’re all doing well! It’s me, Diya, your Equality and Diversity Executive! Today I’m kicking off what should hopefully become a series of Executive blog posts! I’ve never really blogged before, but I’ve been told I have complete creative control over my own blog so I think I’m just going to go with the flow and see where we end up!
I’ll start by telling you all little about me. My name’s Diya (as I’ve already said ahaha), I’m 22, and I graduated with a Law degree from DMU in 2019! I have no intention of ever becoming a lawyer though, I just thought I had the gift of the gab, and on occasion, am coherent enough to debate over what I’m passionate about. That’s exactly what led me into this role!
I’m passionate about equality, and striving for more; I’m passionate about the student body and the potential we have to do whatever we set our minds to, and I’m passionate about making the world just that tiny bit better. I’d like to think this job allows me to work directly with what I care about, and for that, I could not be more grateful. So, whilst this is a ‘work blog’ I’m going to go on a slight tangent and focus on how I’m feeling right now in this minute instead.
Okay, so right now, truth be told, I’m a little upset. Not just for me, but for the countless students across the country that have had to miss religious festivities and celebrations across this year. The truth is, I think it hurts more than I expected it to because it’s becoming clearer and clearer that it’s the ethnic communities that are feeling it the most. Don’t get me wrong, I think it's fabulous that students will get the opportunity to be going home over the Christmas period, I’m actually really excited to see my family after months and months of facetiming them with quite possibly the worst internet connection I’ve ever had to experience, but it’s also bittersweet because it makes you wonder why Eid, Vaisakhi, and now Diwali weren’t given this same amount of energy?
Ultimately, I think we all know what the answer is, and the harsh reality is that unfortunately the government quite frankly just don’t care. But, as much as I want to sit here and be upset, I also don’t want to let it get too into my head. So, whilst it’s not my favourite of situations, I’m still making the best of it, and I hope you join me in doing so.
Tomorrow is Diwali, and I’m currently at home, getting ready to clean the entire house and get all my Diya’s ready to go. It won’t be a conventional Diwali by any means, but hey! I get to spend some quality time with my girlfriend and beautiful pup, as well as introducing my roommates to a tradition they’ve never experienced before! So it’s not all bad eh?
Sending you all so much love,
Diya