I was at a conference the other day, and remarked to several people about my frustration with how in a hurry the world has become. This phenomenon does not speak to how efficient we are becoming because of technology and such, but of rather of how lazy we might be continuing to become. Especially when it comes to our day-to-day speech and interaction with one another. Therefore, I feel compelled to speak on this topic again.
It often seems to me that we are drowning in a sea of acronyms. The United States of Alphabet Soup as it were! The practice of abbreviation is extending to everything in our lives.
When was the last time you sat at the dining room table with your family for instance, and talked together about how things are going in each other’s respective universe? My guess is the picture of your (or my) dining room, or the proverbial kitchen table we hear so much about from politicians these days, is more likely than not a tv tray in front of a big screen television. We cram down a takeout meal because we are too tired (or lazy) to cook from all the day’s rushing around.
Growing cynicism about the state of the world is rightfully at an all-time high. The mad dash to embrace AI and technology for technology’s sake is slowly eliminating the human factor from our lives. Instead of human beings, we behave more like human doings. Brevity does not necessarily represent achieving efficiency, however. Except for perhaps an increase in corporate profits at the expense of everyday workers. Corporate greed is the topic of a future rant. Back to the proliferation of acronyms.
The overuse of acronyms fits right along with how technology is used to squeeze more work into our days at the expense of faith, family, and health. The world we live in wants things right now, even if what we end up with is some diluted version of that which we were searching for in the first place.
As it relates to our speech, economy of words does not necessarily equate to more clear-cut understanding. Sometimes we must spell things out for folks in order for them to truly get where we are coming from.
Overuse of acronyms can sometimes make folks new to our little abbreviation clubs feel like an outsider. There is an old movie term “cut to the chase” which when used in daily communications can mean we lose an accurate definition of who we are, and what we stand for, as individuals or companies.
This is especially true in my opinion, of the acronym DEI. Diversity, equity, and inclusion to be more precise. I submit that being lazy about saying these three words together, in full, allows others with dubious intentions to dilute their meaning and power. The shameful political assault on these three words challenges any thinking and compassionate individual to not be gaslighted into railing against them unless we do our own research as to their true meaning.
I further posit that overuse of the acronym “DEI” has led to the misguided pushback and racist dog whistles coming from people who think that encouraging a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion is somehow part of a “left-wing woke” conspiracy.
Are you kidding me?! “Woke” is a colloquialism with a more positive meaning that has been co-opted by fearmongers who are trying to make it stand for something it is not and has never been, purely for political gain. Most of the provocateurs who misuse that acronym don’t know or care what the intended meaning is. “Woke” is a word that ought to be celebrated and even reclaimed by those who originally, and for good reason, coined it.
Here is a definition of “woke” according to Merriam-Webster.
When you say the words, which comprise an acronym out loud, they tend to make people more inclined to think about what those words mean individually, as well as collectively, rather than a lazy method of defining what it is not, to meet someone’s own warped agenda.
Can any truly intelligent person make a case against the real definitions of the individual words, diversity, equity, or inclusion with a straight face?
The acronym DEI means far more than just three random letters. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. In all fairness, the precise individual definitions for each word may differ to some degree across different people.
Diversity is the meaningful participation of myriad groups in the cultural and economic development driven by our collective efforts, including but not limited to race, age, religious beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical/mental ability, ethnicity, perspective, thought, and geography. Diversity includes ALL people.
Equity is the development of policies and practices that help ALL communities gain access to the resources, opportunities, and networks required to reach their full potential.
Inclusion is the authentic engagement of diverse groups in real personal and professional development, leading to an enhanced sense of belonging.
Each of these words indeed have power by themselves. They can be done a disservice when reduced to the utilization of the initials alone. Especially when used out of context.
The overuse of an acronym like DEI assumes that anyone hearing or reading it, knows exactly what the initials precisely stand for. Unfortunately, many do not know the real meaning of the abbreviation. Only what they read on social media.
We can’t be so willing to rush joining the acronym arms race unless that acronym truly defines what the person, organization, or issue stands for. It does a disservice to us, and the next generation in particular, when we exercise intellectual laziness and pretend as if we don’t have just a few seconds more to spell out what we really mean and who we are.
I can’t speak for other organizations and causes, but please think about it the next time you are about to utter the acronym DEI. It is diversity, equity, and inclusion. Not only that, think about what each word means, and how as human beings, we can better be ambassadors for embracing the truth that we are better off when we welcome diverse thoughts and talents under our tents.
We fight to ensure every person has an equitable opportunity to be active participants in pursuit of the so-called American Dream. Lastly, that we each do our part in encouraging society to move ever closer towards a collective culture of inclusiveness, without which we can never achieve a more perfect union.
Your move.
LP
Chief Diversity Officer, VP Corporate & Community Engagement