To paraphrase a famous line from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, “something is rotten in the United States of America.” Meaning that something is wrong or corrupt within a situation or major issue within our society. Just in time for Black History Month, diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, is under a shameful and misguided assault, by bad faith actors who either don’t know what it truly means, or even worse, don’t care.
DEI is not just a black or brown program. It is not a method for organizations to hire “unqualified” people, the nonsense spewed by those in power who know better yet still use the term as a pejorative and racist dog whistle. Far too many folks allow themselves to have their opinions molded by these progenitors of hate. The blind leading the blind, as it were.
DEI is an acronym for diversity, equity, and inclusion, a framework that aims to actively promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly those historically underrepresented, by recognizing and valuing differences, ensuring equitable opportunities, and creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed and respected.
It is not simply about hiring a diverse group of people. It is also actively working to create an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and contribute equally. We must pursue such a culture with all due diligence, and with the same level of intensity that is still being used to exclude certain groups of people from the mainstream. Only then, will we be able to fully erase what has been an indelible stain on the nation’s character. We must act together, because everyone has a stake.
People of goodwill and courage must be resolute in this collective effort to live up to the ideals we brag about as Americans but sadly still fall short. Given the outrageous current political pandering, this is no easy task. So-called leaders are intent on spinning misinformation to defame and otherwise damage an ideology whose real purpose is to ensure that every citizen has an opportunity to pursue the American Dream. Period. Full-stop.
This disingenuous campaign is not just an attack on the idea of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but something far more sinister. We find ourselves witnessing the injustice of a not-so-subtle attempt to strip away hard-won fundamental civil rights! Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, published in 1963. This piece of journalistic mastery spoke to the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion intentionality long before it became a “thing.”
As the Chief Diversity Officer, Vice President of Corporate & Community Engagement for the Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC), it is my duty to state that GCFC is firm in our continuing efforts to cultivate an internal culture of inclusivity as an organization, as well as being an active participant externally in ensuring a more vibrant and inclusive eco-system in NE Ohio. Our diverse community demonstrates the value of embracing our individual uniqueness and why that effort makes Cleveland, and this country for that matter, great. As with technology, we as a people, should always be moving forward, never backward. Especially in our thinking.
The purpose of this blog is not merely to voice my opinion about the unjustified attack against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). It is also a clarion call to “we the people” to stave off a potential version of apartheid attempting to take root in America. Try to look beyond the rhetoric and sleight of hand and really pay close attention to what is happening in Washington D.C. The misinformation and fearmongering.
It is times like these for which the term “woke” was coined. Contrary to the misuse of that word by many of the same wily politicians who seek to demonize DEI and deflect from their own misdeeds, The Urban Dictionary (https://www.urbandictionary.com/), which published woke’s original definition two years prior to the official dictionary, defines woke as “being aware… knowing what’s going on in the community (related to racism and social injustice)”. In other words, it means to be awake to sensitive social issues, such as racism.
Some suggestions going forward:
- Do your research and don’t allow yourself to be misled about the value to society of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Read about the history of the civil rights movement and the hard-fought rights finally gained by Black people who had been denied those basic rights for so long, which ended up benefitting everyone!
- Check out some of the contributions of African Americans as part of Black History Month. Remember, Black History is American History.
- Spell and speak out the words contained in the acronym DEI. Words can lose their meaning individually and collectively when reduced to an acronym. An acronym can also be corrupted and mis-defined by those with bad intentions.
- Be open to cordial and safe conversations with others who may not look like you or have your same belief systems to learn more about your fellow neighbor. Not a “winner take all” or “take my ball and go home when I don’t get my way” encounter. You may be surprised to find out that you have more in common with one another than not.
- Be selfless and not selfish. Service above self. In fact, if we make life about what is good for our kids and grandkids, we will likely make better choices as adults.
- Stay woke!
Cheers,
LP
Chief Diversity Officer, VP Corporate & Community Engagement