The News You May Have Missed: March 2024

Method of Inclusivity

The Methodist Church in Great Britain released an “Inclusive Language Guide” advising members to avoid “gendered” terms such as husband and wife because they assume what is not “the reality for many people” (The Christian Post, Dec. 31). “As Christians, we need…to recognize that we sometimes exclude people,” the guide says, and we must “repent of any hurtful language.” There is “infinite variety in the way that God’s creation is expressed in human life,” it says, and in place of terminology that makes “assumptions about a family or personal life,” it suggests partner, parent, child, and carer as alternatives. The guide lists extensive categories of people with whom to use “sensitive and inclusive” language, including LGBT+ and “disabled and neurodiverse” people. It urges steering clear of “ageism” by avoiding terms like old people, embracing “anti-racist language,” using people’s preferred pronouns, and avoiding negatively emphasizing a person’s immigration status or English-language skills. As for Methodist marriage rites, a spokesperson said couples may “discuss with the minister how they wish to be referred…. This ensures that the ceremony reflects who they are.”

Dreaming of a Non-White Christmas

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu came under fire this past Christmas after one of her aides mistakenly sent invitations to all members of the City Council to a holiday party meant solely for “electeds of color.” The City Council has seven white and six non-white members, and the white councilors were not supposed to receive invitations (New York Post, Dec. 13). The revelation of the secret “no whites” party drew backlash. City Councilor Frank Baker, a white Democrat, called it “unfortunate and divisive,” but said it didn’t affect him personally. “To offend me, you’re going to have to do much more than not invite me to a party,” he said. Others fended off criticism. City Councilor Brian Worrell, a black Democrat, said there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary about the party. “We make space and spaces for all kinds of specific groups in the city and city government,” he said. “This is no different, and the Elected Officials of Color has been around for more than a decade.” The party went ahead as scheduled.

DEI Deception

A former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program manager at Facebook pleaded guilty to scamming the social-media giant out of more than $4 million through a scheme in which she faked business deals in exchange for kickbacks (New York Post, Dec. 13). From January 2017 to September 2021, Barbara Furlow-Smiles, who was responsible for developing and executing DEI initiatives, operations, and engagement, “caused Facebook to pay numerous individuals,” including her friends and relatives, “for goods and services never provided to the company,” prosecutors said. Those individuals would later funnel kickbacks to Furlow-Smiles. Some of those involved were her former interns, her “university tutor,” a hairstylist, babysitters, and nannies. Furlow-Smiles would submit fake expense reports claiming the individuals were vendors at Facebook events who had helped with marketing or provided merchandise. Those individuals would return the money to Furlow-Smiles via account transfers or in cash that was sometimes delivered wrapped in T-shirts or other items. Furlow-Smiles is slated to be sentenced on March 19.