5.1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Terminology
Humans have always been diverse in their cultural beliefs and practices. But as new technologies have led to the perception that our world has shrunk, and demographic and political changes have brought attention to cultural differences, people communicate across cultures more now than ever before. The oceans and continents that separate us can now be traversed instantly with an e-mail, phone call, tweet, or status update. Today, our workplaces are more integrated in terms of race, sexuality, age, physical and mental ability, and gender, increasing our interaction with domestic diversity. But just because we are exposed to more difference doesn’t mean we understand it, can communicate across it, or appreciate it. This chapter will help you do all three by providing the terminology required to better understand and communicate issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Let’s begin the process with the video: What Do Equality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mean (2021).
It’s important to understand how EDI and communication relate. Discussing these issues is difficult for many reasons. One is due to uncertainty about language use. People may be frustrated by their perception that labels change too often or be afraid of using an “improper” term and being viewed as insensitive. It is important, however, that we not let political correctness get in the way of meaningful dialogues and learning opportunities related to difference. Exploring some of these very difficult issues can make us more competent communicators and open us up to more learning experiences.
Defining Identity
Ask yourself the question “Who am I?” Our parents, friends, teachers, and the media help shape our identities. While this happens from birth, most people reach a stage where increased social awareness led them to begin to reflect on who they are. This begins a lifelong process of thinking about who we are now, who we were before, and who we will become (Tatum, 2000). Our identities make up an important part of our self-concept and can be broken down into three main categories: personal, social, and cultural identities (see Table X).
Table 5.1.1 Personal, social, and cultural identity
Personal identities include the components of self that are primarily intrapersonal and connected to our life experiences. For example, some people may consider themselves puzzle lovers, while others may identify as fans of hip-hop music.
Our social identities include components that come derived from our involvement in social groups. For example, we may get aspects of our social identity from our family or from a sports team we are part of. Social identities differ from personal identities because they are externally organized through membership. Our membership may be voluntary (Greek organization on campus) or involuntary (family) and explicit (we pay dues to our labour union) or implicit (we purchase and listen to hip-hop music). There are