I am struggling ya'll... I think it has all crept up on me slowly, the negative talks about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in our political stratosphere, of course how it impacts me, my history and my family, but last week it hit my work more directly. How do we walk back on DEI goals, DEI purpose, DEI initiatives... I hear all these companies and educational institutions just going through and removing all those words from their websites.
It has me all thinking about what should I do?
How do I talk differently about my work? How do I engage in the larger political spectrum about all of this above and beyond my work work? How does this impact my consulting work in supporting other nonprofits?
I wanted to put my feelings out in the stratosphere.
I feel the opposite of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (good DEI) is Discrimination, Exclusion, and Injustice (bad DEI). Having good DEI programs has clearly not eliminated bad DEI. Has it made it better, sure, well maybe, I guess it is hard to say. Saying bad DEI is over clearly doesn't make it true.
It feels nice to have good DEI programming, to me and to those positively impacted or that are receiving a service, program, etc. Clearly though it bothers those who think think good DEI programs have harmed them, their outcomes, and those of their children (reverse discrimination).
I do know that sometimes good DEI programs are harmful, not just to those who claim reverse discrimination, but to the very people they are focused to help. So many programs that pander, lower expectations, and honestly reinforce the cycles of poverty that keep people in poverty. I have seen that all over from my time in higher ed, to community centers, to my current role in the CDFI industry.
I have seen good DEI programs make tremendous impact. That inclusion for someone who was historically excluded, by giving them a "fair" chance at opportunity... is life changing.
So what do we do?
We know, well I know, that saying discrimination is over, doesn't make it so. I also know we need programs, education, services, etc. for those who have been subject to bad DEI. Nothing is perfect, good DEI along won't solve the worlds problems, putting our head in the sand and pretending bad things aren't happening also never solved problems.
So what do I do?
I think a lot of people are capitalizing on all the drama, on both sides... on the help side, I see it in two ways, one in making a business out of fighting what is happening, and two is in those offering to help you "realign" your DEI strategies.
Interestingly, I recently dusted off my OutSight Consulting website, and then maybe more importantly, and I was reminded when facilitating a workshop, WHY do I do things? I facilitated a discussion and used the Start with Why video... and now realize I am reflecting and thinking, "WHY do I want to do what I want to do and how do I talk about it all?" ~ with this DEI focus especially?
So what should I do, and maybe more importantly WHY do I want to do it? I have honestly at times been debilitated lately thinking about my work and volunteer roles, not being able to focus on what to do, and I need to spend some time figuring out why I am doing things first maybe.