DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSIVITY
It’s only three words.
Diversity – it just means a variety. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. How boring would life be if we were not diverse: diverse in our attitudes, diverse in our vocations, diverse in our sex!
Equity – a quality of fairness. Unfortunately, life is not always fair. But don’t we want it to be? Isn’t that what we scream at our parents when we are young, “But it’s not fair!’ It is certainly a quality for which to aspire.
Inclusivity – the fact of including all types of people, things, and ideas. Everyone has a seat at the table. There are no stupid ideas or questions. A safe space for everyone and everything.
Keep it simple. I am a fairly simple woman and was brought up to not think more highly of myself than others. I was brought up in an area of the country that does not have a lot of diversity in its population, nonetheless I have friendships across the spectrum of ethnicities and faiths that are in my community. And, oh, I do so want life to be fair. I want those who do wrong to be held accountable and those who do right to be praised. As for inclusivity, everyone is welcome. Come one and come all. We are much stronger together than we are apart.
It’s only three words. Packed with dynamite in today’s political climate. Here is the definition from Wikipedia: In the United States, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are organizational frameworks that seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination based on identity or disability.
So, here is the deal. Remove DEI from your conversations, your policies, and your speeches. That does not mean you remove it from your life. I am still going to love a variety of people, and I am still going to work towards the quality of fairness, and I will still have a seat at the table for anyone who wishes to participate.
To be, or not to be? That is entirely up to you.
Eclectic Soup 