Although the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) business is currently a billion-dollar industry, disproportionality is consistently present between dominant and historically marginalized groups by almost any measure. From experience and conversations with people from historically excluded backgrounds, I hear a lot of frustration around organizations talking the DEI talk and not walking the DEI walk. Increasingly, organizations publish diversity statements and use the right lingo, yet in practice, many still subscribe to oppressive policies and don't engage in equitable practices that lead to liberation. Simply put, organizations and leaders cannot lead or facilitate the work of humans without prioritizing humanity while simultaneously claiming to be inclusive or social justice driven.
The good news is that we can always do better. Ongoing reflection is key to this difficult and never-ending work. If you are in a position of influence, you can begin by asking yourself:
Do your policies center humans?
Do your practices take nuance and individual needs into account?
Which are you working with, strict protocols or shared agreements?
To what extent are your protocols equitably applied?
Do you extend to other professionals the same expectations and benefits that you ensure for yourself?
In your practice, is equity a noun or a verb?
Further, consider the statements you put out and the mission your organization aims to uphold. It's important to conduct a comprehensive review of your policies and practices (written and unwritten) if you want to ensure they are aligned with your messaging. If they are not, it won't take long for people to notice and for the impact to be seen on climate and culture. Diversity can be lost as fast as it is recruited. Retention requires inclusion, which takes effort; equity takes constant reflection and analysis, and liberation should be centered. Let's be honest, DEI done wrong is about looking right; DEI done right, is about doing right.
Let's Do Right,
Dr. Violet Jiménez Sims
Co-owner and Lead Consultant
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