We get more of the same, and we did it to ourselves: the hard work of actually getting diversity
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I’ve highlighted Vu Le’s NonProfit AF (And Friends!) here before, so I thought twice about whether I would look like a junkie...or a stalker. *shrug.*
But as I read through this article, thinking about several conversations I’ve had lately with people who do Diversity and Inclusion work, I thought… yeah. This one’s super important.
More and more organizations understand that they need more diversity, not just to look good, but to do a better job of doing whatever they exist for. But way too often -- whether your’re a business or a government or a nonprofit or whatever -- those efforts don’t seem to really change much. In his lovely clear brutally honest but so readable way, Vu tells us exactly why. Here’s some of it:
What indications exist that you’re serious about equity? People of color can tell when we’re being tokenized, as well as when youre just talking a good game.
What barriers are you putting into place that you may not even be aware of? For example, solutions privilege is a pervasive but often very subtle barrier to diversity. [NOTE: I had to click the link to find out what that meant. What that meant was important. I’d recommend you click that link, too.]
Who do you have currently that needs to go or be removed? ...Before planting new seeds for a vibrant, colorful garden, you may need to identify the weeds and give them a plaque and send them on their way.
You should read the whole article, and you can help Vu write from his really crucial perspective with a little support on Patreon. Like I did.
And I don’t even like hummus.