History has its eyes on us
Although it ought to be simple enough to agree that we should protect historically discriminated populations from biased hiring & promotion practices, DEI (Diversity | Equity | Inclusion) is about so much more than race relations, and it stretches far beyond the workplace, as well.
Did you know that it wasn’t until the 1990s that the “no-smoking” sign became a requirement on all domestic flights in the US? It took another decade to fully implement for international flights, but the fact that we non-smokers don’t have to sit through a tobacco fog on flights anymore is … wait for it … because of DEI.
Family restrooms, handicapped stalls, and changing tables in men’s restrooms? DEI.
Building ramps, elevator regulations, and braille signage? DEI.
Sign language interpreters at public events? DEI.
Special Education services in public schools? DEI.
Parental leave, being able to remain employed while pregnant, and being able to return to a job after childbirth? DEI.
Women not having to wear a skirt & heels or tolerate sexual harassment at work? DEI.
Interfaith chaplains available in hospitals? DEI.
Large-print books and closed-captioning on TV? DEI.
Wheelchair-accessible public transit? DEI.
Being able to select “Dr.” as my appropriate title besides “Ms.” or Mrs.”? DEI.
Having the chance to be competitive in a job vacancy, even though I’m not a member of the Good Ol’ Boys’ Club? DEI.
Job notices that substitute certain work experience for educational attainment? DEI.
Supervising men on the job, even though I’m a woman? DEI.
Being able to hold a personal bank account, purchase a vehicle, and own a home under my name solely? DEI.
What it boils down to is this:
Diversity means that we aren’t cookie cutters of one another – how dull would that be?? We respect the value that different people bring to the group. In fact, numerous studies have shown that incorporating varied perspectives/experiences/backgrounds actually improves team performance.
Equity means that we don’t just say we play fair, but we have the cred to back it up. We use metrics to identify pay scales, based on the position and not the candidate’s/employee’s gender. Search committees that use rubrics to blindly score job applications is another example of equity in practice.
Inclusion means that we don’t just have a token set of people at the table, but the folks who are there are actually respected & heard, and we consider whose voices might have been inadvertently left out.
The fact that these concepts are under attack is utterly shameful. History has its eyes on us, and I for one will not cower to the idiocracy.
