Guyana-born Narine Dat Sookram creates history – Guyana Chronicle
…advocates for policy change
IN what is deemed a first in Canadian history, Guyana-born Narine Dat Sookram has won a “battle” to allow staff members of a company to use their pronouns on their business cards.
Pronouns come in many forms. They are linguistic tools that are used to refer to people, such as they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/his. Someone’s pronouns inform us how to best refer to and honour them.
Like names, pronouns are an important part of how people identify; assuming someone’s gender can be hurtful, especially to members of the LGBT community who are transgender, genderqueer, or gender expansive.
According to Sookram, who is a social worker registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and a Doctor of Social Work candidate, he learnt of a Canadian not-for-profit organisation that existed since 1951, denying employees the right to use their pronouns on their business cards.
Sookram pointed out that when he approached management to question the reasoning, he was told that the company’s policy does not allow staff members to use their pronouns on their business cards.
Lost for words and disgusted that management failed to address the issue, Sookram, who is also a licensed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Trainer, said he felt obligated to address the issue at all costs and had no choice but to bring the matter to the attention of the company.
Sookram disclosed that when he approached management to question the reasoning, he was told that the company’s policy does not allow staff members to use their pronouns on their business cards. Upon requesting to see the policy, it turned out that there was no such written policy and that the staff was not fitting to hold the post they represented.
Sookram assessed that the organisation was “playing games,” and was untruthful, and urged one of the directors to take courses related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, an area he is very knowledgeable in. He further pointed out that it’s a shame that in this modernised world, there are still many people who work in a blind spot which is dangerous because they don’t have the competencies to lead an organisation and should not be placed in such positions.
Because of Sookram’s effort, for the first time in over seven decades, a policy is now implemented where staff can use their pronoun on their business cards. He, however, added that he was still shocked how the organisation got away with such action, describing it as a form of discrimination.
Sookram said he will continue to keep an eye on things to ensure no organisation, particularly this one, takes advantage of staff, adding that it happens all the time because management does not care.
Sookram hosts the award-winning community radio show Caribbean Spice and Let’s Chit Chat with Narine Dat, which airs on 102.7 CKMS FM Radio Waterloo, Ontario.
Sookram is the last child of seven children and the first to have completed post-secondary and post-grad education. He graduated with several degrees, including a Master of Social Work from Brescia University, Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Professional Arts from Athabasca University, Bachelor of Education in Adult Education from Brock University, Social Service Worker Diploma from Mohawk College, Post-Grad in Career Development from Conestoga College. (Frederick Halley)
