Original poston @saic.maffairs posted 8/14/2020.
Foundation: Identity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
What is Identity? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are often grouped together, but do you know the difference?
Identity is the compilation of identifying labels anyone uses to represent themselves; Also a system of identifying labels ascribed to social groups; gives a sense of belonging to the social world based on sameness to groups. Sex, gender, ethnicity, race, nationality, ability, religion, spirituality, age, socio-economic status, language, political leanings, etc. are some examples.1
Diversity is the presence of difference; in groups is the presence of variety in identities, thought, personality, working style, backgrounds, life experiences. Diversity is the representation of identities throughout a spectrum.2 A group can be diverse, and still have a presence of racism, prejudice, and bias. Sometimes Diversity is incorrectly perceived only as the presence of historical minority groups within a group. That’s actually a matter of inclusion and equity.
Inclusion is how people from historically underrepresented identities, feel a sense of belonging, are valued, depended upon, and matter. Inclusion asks who has a seat at the table?
Equity is everyone having the same access to opportunities, supported and enforced by group policy and culture. Equity accounts for imbalances, unequal starting points, and unfair treatment.3,4
Quote
“Diversity is being asked to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance,” - Verna Myers5
Think about: How would you alter this metaphor to include equity? (then read Inclusion isn't "being asked to dance." by Daniel Juday, 2017)
To Read
A Note for Getting Library Books - Fall 2020
Flaxman Library Materials - May take up to 3 days from request to pickup. Instructions are available here.
I-Share Books - May take up to 10 days from request to pickup. Instructions are available here.
- Being Biracial: Figuring Out Where is Home, Maya Gittelman, The Body is Not an Apology, 2018 [Article]
To Research
- "Chapter 8: Respect for Diversity"from Introduction to Community Psychology,Nghi D. Thai and Ashlee Lien, 2019 [Chapter]
- "Erecting Walls Versus Tearing Them Down: Inclusion and the (False) Paradox of Diversity in Times of Economic Upheaval"by Michalle E. More Barakfrom European Management Review16, no. 4, 2019: 937-955 [Article]
To Listen
- A Racial Impostor Epidemic, Code Switch, 2018 [Podcast]
- Ask Code Switch: What About Your Friends?, Code Switch, 2020[Podcast]
- Ep017: #GoodAncestor Jasmin Kaur on Healing and Reclaiming Identity,Good Ancestor Podcast, 2020[Podcast]
- Episode 23: The Nod,The Stoop, 2019[Podcast]
To Watch
Little White Lie, The Film: A Personal Documentary About The Power of Telling the Truth[Film]
To Follow
Edinah @wildlogic
Laci Jordan @solaclike
Charlot Kristensen @zolwia - Graphic novel, We Don’t Talk About,is for sale!
Danielle co*ke @ohhappydani
Shirien Damra @shirien.creates - Chicago freelance artist
Natasha Cunningham @aboutnatlife
To Reflect
Complete this Social Identity Worksheet
What do you think about most? Least often? Does that change?
What do you appreciate about each identity? What is the most difficult?
To Act
Support Black, Indigenous, and other POC artists. Support on Patreon, from Etsy, buy books/zines.
Follow these artists, Like, and Repost to help spread the power of their work.
Reject the practice of asking Black people, Indigenous, and other People of Color to describe their lived experiences for you. Use the resources here, and other resources made by BIPOC to learn from.
Sources
Works Cited
- David Buckingham, "Introducing Identity,"in Youth, Identity, and Digital Media,ed.David Buckingham(Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2008), 1-24.
- "How Would You Define Diversity?:Open-ended Responses From Student-Conducted Survey", April 28 2010.
- KrysBurnette (@krysburnette),"Belonging: A Conversation about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,"Medium, January 21 2019.
- "The Problem With that Equity vs. Equality Graphic You’re Using,"Cultural Organizing, November 1 2016.
- Verna Myers, vernamyers.com.
Other Sources
- MegBolger,"What’s The Difference Between Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity?,"Social Impact, General Assembly Blog, May 24 2020.
