Protests demanding accountability and justice took the streets by storm, but
what differentiated these protests from the countless others from years past
was the stillness, time, and undivided attention that the Covid-19 pandemic
allowed. Covid-19 wreaked havoc throughout the country, leaving death and
destruction in its wake. The onset of the pandemic led to a national quarantine,
months, everyone was at home. Along with the trauma and protests that
consumed the news feeds, Covid-19 brought with it a new disparity, the Black
community was the most affected through infection rates, lack of adequate
access to healthcare service, death toll, risk of infection, and unemployment.
The nation sat cramped on a couch together, watching the continuous news
of Black trauma and disparity. It was bearing such witness that national
corporations and organizations began making public statements against
injustice, racism, sexism, and homophobia and shared commitments to combat
injustice and contribute to systemic change. The concepts of Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion (DEI) had grown in awareness over the last several years, but the
events and revelations of 2020 kicked those efforts into hyperdrive. With the
country forced to pay attention, there was no way to escape the reality that a
drastic change was needed, and it was needed right now.
Across the airwaves and social media timelines, the words Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Equality were gradually added to our lexicon. These terms
and public statement. Some of the largest companies have pledged billions to
support racial justice, equity, and improving diversity. But to utterly understand
the gravity of this undertaking and what its success would look like, we should
have a strong understanding of the terms.
As many well-intended people were showing their support to social justice
matters, it became apparent that not everyone fully grasps the breadth
of these ideas. But this isn't a game of semantics; if we don't have a clear
inconsistency, but we may be counterproductive.
The ancient philosopher Socrates said, "the beginning of knowledge is a
how to improve it, we'll need to break down some of the most common
terms individually.
FREEDOMRIDERS 60 Years 93