Adversity of Diversity

Doctor E. Here and I want to talk about the adversity of diversity. And I know that sounds like a cliche, but it's really important because we need to understand how diversity impacts us as individuals as well as institutions. Have you ever been in a store and somehow were overlooked? Have you ever been in a meeting and somehow were over taught? Have you ever been anywhere in between, on that continuum where somehow, some way, you felt like you weren't being heard, you weren't being valued, and more importantly, you weren't being welcomed?

That's the adversity of diversity. How can we as individuals and institutions, step into the adversity, to change the narrative, to change the trajectory, to change where and how folks are feeling in our organizations, in our institutions, and within our culture? One of the ways to step into this adversity is simply have a willingness to be vulnerable, have a willingness to say something isn't right. To have a willingness to say something needs to change. The adversity then becomes, how are you going to be received?

And then how are you going to react and respond to that reception? The adversity is not always going to be simple. And the adversity may not always be complex. It could be internal, a lot of self talk, a lot of self doubt, a lot of self questioning, and it could be external, tackling some of the bigger institutional and systemic issues around policies or practices or processes. But the adversity and diversity will always stem from the challenge not being or needing to be met. And so, as you think about that adversity and you think about those challenges, understand them as a prerequisite to accomplish goals.

Think of them as a barrier or an obstacle or a hurdle to get through and to get past, to make your organizations and to make yourselves better. So if you understand that simple cliche, the adversity and diversity, you can understand your role in making changes and embracing diversity.