Ableism is currently a commonly used term and a prominent concept among people who value diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and champion disability rights. But does “ableism” have staying power? Can the ideology it represents permeate the constructed reality of those in society who aren’t concerned with DEI or disability rights?
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The more my world is shaped by my focus on decoloniality and deconstructing the conditioning society forced on me, the more I have learned about nervous system regulation, identity exploration, and self-expression. I no longer seek to be good, to be perfect, to be right. I seek to be authentic and principled and committed to doing the work needed for liberation of all people.
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We can no longer claim ignorance about injustice. The current environment is calling on all of us to take a strong anti-racist stance. I hope you use the power and privilege you have been granted to advocate for a more equitable and just society for all.
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While it is much easier to remain on the sidelines, until we are all willing to take on the fight for justice for groups we do not belong to as our own work, we will never achieve necessary progress. There is no gray area — choosing not to do what is right is tacit support for those doing what is wrong.
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White privilege is, by definition, the benefit of being white. So, what does being rich, struggling through life, or not inheriting anything have to do with whiteness? Nothing. Which begs the question, why are so many people getting this wrong?
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All spaces are not for, nor should be for, those with the most privilege in our society; they have literally everything else at their disposal. Our work of carving out spaces for the oppressed will continue to be of the upmost importance until the people dismantle the patriarchy, white supremacy, and ableism within our systems. Please don’t insult and invalidate our work for liberation by saying we should focus on all lives when systemically all lives do not matter yet.
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Ignorance is the first of four stages I’ve passed through to unravel my white privilege. The other three are: awareness, acceptance, and deconstruction. All of us can see systemic racism and white privilege for what they are: oppressive forces. Forces that we did not ask for but can change. As white people, we have more social power within this system. And we can choose to use this power for good. But before we do so, we must unravel our white privilege. I’m sharing my journey so it might inspire others to follow a similar path.
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When I first moved to Texas — more specifically Austin, Texas — I distinctly remember all of the typical culture shocks: the scorching hot triple-digit weather, breakfast tacos, Topo Chico, Cholula, and the almost complete absence of snow and ice – almost. But what surprised me even more was a shift in communication and socialization style that I didn’t anticipate – the expectation of being “nicer.” Initially, I chalked it up to the change in geographical location. But this was something else. I experienced how being a Black woman in predominately white spaces complicates not-so-subtle differences in expected prosocial norms.
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Once again, we find ourselves asking: How many more Black people must die in vain? When will we come to terms that Black lives do matter? At what point will we take responsibility for the inexcusable racism that still prevails in our society? Having conversations about racism is, indeed, a challenging process. I am offering some steps you can take, followed by action steps to start your journey to better understanding.
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I have witnessed the pandemic bring out some of the worst in people—racism, xenophobia, entitlement, greed, and ultimately “othering”—excluding, shaming, and hurting those in highest need of care, people of color, and those who don’t have the resources to manage, let alone survive, a pandemic like this. To overcome the virus as a nation, as a world, it is imperative that we prioritize health equity and inclusion and utilize our global connectedness for the positive: taking inclusive stances that prioritize the health of all people through our actions, our companies, our communities.
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As someone who is a full-time remote employee, I could (and will) offer a few tips for staying engaged and productive, but I have to be honest that this period in time is different. The range of emotions we’re experiencing; the rapid influx of news, media, and updates; and the pressure associated with household or familial tasks all influence one’s creativity, engagement, and productivity. This is a reality worth affirming and honoring ahead of any “checklist” for staying engaged as a work from home employee.
Read More![Managing the Toll of DEI Work: The [Diversity] Struggle is Real](https://theinclusionsolution.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/toll-of-DEI-work-intro-627x376.jpg)
The [diversity] struggle is real. We recognize this work is personal. Inasmuch as DEI work has evolved into a profession and “booming” industry, it is important to note that this work is rooted in the quest for civil rights and justice. A quest that is deeply personal—grounded in Black and Brown people’s desire and inherent right to be seen and honored as the full human beings that we are. And while, in some ways, this work has evolved in ways that center profits over humanity and justice, for many, it is still deeply personal.
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