Read. Discuss. Reflect.
Perspective Taking & Ideologies
Have you ever found yourself hiding part of your identity because someone doesn't quite get you? What if that person is a family member? Balancing relationships with differing perspectives can be challenging and can affect mental health, well-being, and your right to be authentically you.
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let's get the big stuff out of the way first
Big Terms, Small Bites
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
You've probably heard a lot of conversation about diversity, inclusion, and equity lately. These conversations happen at school, in the media, in politics, and maybe even at home. But, have you every thought about what those words really mean or why we are talking about them at all?
Let's start with diversity, inclusion, and equity. These are the terms that are often used to describe the whole concept. These terms are put together to make an acronym that describes the concepts: DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). It sounds complicated, but it really isn't.
It's like a math equation... Diversity + Inclusion = Equity
An Umbrella Term:
"Diversity, inclusion, and equity are often grouped together because they are interconnected and it is only in combination that their true impact emerges." - McKinsey & Company
Diversity
Backgrounds, personalities, experiences, values and beliefs. This forms our identity and makes us who we are.
WHAT
Inclusion
To be respected and appreciated; having a sense of belonging; where everyone feels they can be themselves.
HOW
Equity
The goal is to be fair to create a level playing field. This happens when we respond to biases or favouritism.
GOAL
WHAT we focus on and HOW we achieve the GOAL.
Under the Umbrella
Great! So that's the basics of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Now, let's take a look at some more terms that can help us think deeper about DEI. These terms will help us better understand why it is important for us to think and talk about DEI.
Identity
who are you; characteristics or personality
Perspective
the way you see the world; point of view
What does that mean?
Your perspective is shaped by your identity, life experiences, values, state of mind, assumptions, and more...
Example: Eating at a buffet.
Identity:
- Person 1: Severe allergies and previous experience with anaphylactic reactions that led to hospitalization.
- Person 2: No allergies and no health concerns related to diet.
Perspective:
- Person 1: Concerns over safety and cross contamination leading to anxiety and fear of becoming ill.
- Person 2: Limited to no concerns about safety risk.
Bias
opinion based on beliefs and experience
Unconscious Bias
associations we have without awareness or control
What does that mean?
Our brain tries to simplify our thinking. Sometimes our bias happens without us knowing (unconscious bias) to make processing the world easier.
Example: Pizza Toppings
Bias: Thinking that pineapple does not belong on pizza.
Unconscious Bias: Thinking that people who put pineapple on pizza are weird.
Prejudice
(thinking) judging a person based their characteristics
Discrimination
(action) treatment based on characteristics
What does that mean?
Sometimes biases can be harmful. This happens when a bias is held about a persons protected grounds. When someone acts on that thinking, they are discriminating.
Example: Having a pizza party.
Prejudice (thinking): A Hindu friend is vegetarian. But not all Hindu's are vegetarian, so the host doesn't think the person has to be vegetarian because of their religion.
Discrimination: The host only orders meat lover style pizzas for the group. The friend who is vegetarian is left with nothing to eat.
Protected Ground: Creed (Religion)
all this talk of food is making me hungry... hungry for change
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Quote from the book.
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