Why are Equity and Justice Important?

Photo by Daniel Thomas on Unsplash

Click here to read Paul Lapido's article, "Diversity and Inclusion without Equity or Justice is just window dressing."

In my post about white privilege several weeks ago, an individual slid into the comments to ask me "How is this inclusive?" He then lectured me that using the term white privilege was stereotyping and racist. This was from a Black DEI professional.

For those in the back: DEI isn't just about having people present in the room. It's about providing access, resources, and power to historically marginalized groups. Hence the terms white privilege, patriarchy, ableism, etc.

It does no good to discuss welcoming Black and other racially marginalized folks if your organization doesn't understand how they are routinely underpaid, over-penalized for mistakes, and are often the first to be laid-off.

It does no good to say you value persons with disabilities if your spaces are inaccessible. Or if leadership doesn't understand that not all disabilities are visible.

Without equity, there is no lasting diversity because specific needs aren't being met. Without justice, there is no diversity because marginalized folks won't feel safe. And there will be no sense of inclusion because marginalized folks won't feel valued.

By all means, embrace differences, celebrate heritage months, and acknowledge religious holidays. But don't forget that DEI is more than diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism. It is about overthrowing power that has benefitted some groups disproportionately, often exclusively.

And that's the hashtag#TuesdayTea! ☕️

hashtag#DiversityAndInclusion hashtag#Inclusion hashtag#Equity hashtag#Diversity hashtag#RacialEquity