Running head: REFLECTION PAPER #2: BRIEFING BY VERNESE EDGHILL-WALDEN

Reflection Paper #2
Briefing by Vernese Edghill-Walden

Shenek Conolly
International College of the Cayman Islands

BE/SO 425
Instructor: Dr David Marshall
May 21st, 2016

REFLECTION PAPER #2: BRIEFING BY VERNESE EDGHILL-WALDEN

The first day was filled with educational excursions and lectures that I enjoyed but later in the
evening was where it all got even more interesting. The guest lecturer, Dr Vernese Edghill-Walden, came
to speak to the class on Diversity.
First, Kimora Fletcher-Barrett, a fellow classmate, introduced the guest lecturer. It was very
impressive to know that she had so many credentials and experience relating to the topic of discussion. I
was taking notes but I couldnt catch them all.
Secondly, she started her lecture by asking us to introduce ourselves, the area of study and where
we are from. We went around the room and at the end of it, I already knew that this was a diverse group
of students, in terms or culture and nationality. It was interesting to know that she is a part of the
Caribbean, as she is a Bajan native. I believe that this made her relatable to the related topic of discussion
and to us. It was very refreshing when she mentioned that she visited Grand Cayman and she had a
wonderful time. She did say that if she got another opportunity to visit a Caribbean island, it would
definitely have to be the Cayman Islands because it reminds her of hometown; Barbados, and it was very
beautiful. She then asked what diversity meant to us. When we think about diversity, what does it mean to
us, how do we define it? The majority agreed that diversity is the differences of cultures, religions,
ethnicities, nationalities, religious, sexual orientation that is mixed into one society. Kristie Archer, a
fellow classmate, mentioned that the Cayman Islands is a melting pot as we have many cultures residing
there. I nodded in agreement with her. Another classmate, Jeffery, expanded on this and even provided a
number on how many different nationalities residing in Cayman. If I heard correctly, I believe he said it
was 124 nationalities living in Cayman.
It was an engaging conversation about Cayman and all the negative effects of our diverse culture.
It is sad, but it was the truth. I agreed with Kimari when she said that it affects your working environment
and it becomes hostile. She used a personal experience as she is a Human Resources Manager in the civil
service and has been called a black Jamaican by her junior staff. I agreed with her and told my own

REFLECTION PAPER #2: BRIEFING BY VERNESE EDGHILL-WALDEN

experience based on my working environment where a couple of my fellow Caymanians passed

comments and dropped slurs about other nationalities; that they should just go back to where they came
from. After she heard our stories, she then asked if there was a difference between diversity and inclusion
or is it the same thing. Kimari couldnt have said it any better. She said that she believes to be inclusive,
you need to accept diversity. Dr Edghill-Walden told us what her definition of diversity was which is
basically a variety of different thoughts, perspectives, background and culture. Lawrence and Weber
(2013) stated that:
The term diversity refers to variation in the important human characteristics that distinguish
people from one another. The primary dimensions of diversity are age, ethnicity, gender, mental
or physical disabilities, race and sexual orientation.
In my opinion, both definitions are similar.
The highlight of this lecture was the Ted talk video she showed on YouTube titled Mellody
Hobson: Colour Blind or Colour Brave?. I agree with Mellody when she expressed how uncomfortable
most persons are when engaging in conversations about race. I like the fact that even though her friends
told her not to talk about race because it is a very controversial and sensitive topic, she decided to still go
through with what she believed in; which is spreading awareness on being comfortable talking about race.
In this lecture, I learnt that diversity and race are very real, even in our own hometown even
though racism might be too strong of a word to use. I also learn the different attitudes persons have
toward those who appear to be different. I think that in Cayman, we could really use those Ted talks on
racism or persons, such as Dr Edghill-Walden, to educate the community on how diversity is important,
especially in businesses, and how we can use and view diversity in a different perspective other than the
traditional.

REFLECTION PAPER #2: BRIEFING BY VERNESE EDGHILL-WALDEN

Overall, I really enjoyed her presentation. I liked that she promoted discussion and used other
resources during her lecture.

REFLECTION PAPER #2: BRIEFING BY VERNESE EDGHILL-WALDEN

References
Lawrence, A. T., & Weber, J. (2013). The corporation's social responsibilities. In Business and society:
stakeholders, ethics, public policy (14th ed., p. 379). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.