About a quarter of a century ago, a friend asked me to choose a side
About a quarter of a century ago, a friend asked me to choose a side
I Chose Humanity, and a commitment to DEI means you must, too.
About 25 years ago, a friend challenged me to choose a side during a tense political discussion. I declined, stating I would only choose a side based on humanity. My opinion was quite close to hers, but I didn’t hold my opinion as the truth.
This experience reflects my approach to complex social issues today. Conversations with this friend and many others taught me the importance of avoiding rigid, ideological stances against someone or something that might change over time and focusing on our shared humanity.
I imagine my belief in a non-discriminatory dharma, which started for me around the time of the conversation with my friend, guides my thinking. Dharma (in this explanation, as the word's translation varies across cultures and traditions) is a spiritual essence that follows unified principles from a source from which all things originate. The universe adheres to these unchanging principles even when human nature resists following them.
Once again, current events in the UK (like many before) have brought adherence to these dharmic principles into sharp focus. The violence perpetrated by a few thousand individuals, predominantly younger males between 18 and 39 (who happen to be racially white mostly), is not only abhorrent but also deeply concerning.
Their actions seem to be rooted in the debunked myth of the "violent immigrant." Despite being repeatedly disproven by research, this narrative continues to gain traction, fueled by various influential figures, including some UK politicians, former U.S. President Trump, and social media personalities.
Watermelons and Race
Immigration needs to be addressed in every country. Social and economic considerations must be debated for the well-being of country citizens and those seeking to join the citizenry of other countries. Engaging in the rigor required to work through the complexities of immigration and addressing concerns is not helped by reinforcing the divisive idea that immigrants = violence and mayhem.
The influence of social media in amplifying these accounts is incredibly significant. Those who foment incivility online, while not physically participating in altercations bear a significant responsibility for inflaming tensions. This raises critical questions about the nature of free speech in the digital age.
Is what we see truly an exercise in free expression, or is it a dangerous misuse of influence that threatens what is increasingly necessary yet too often diminishing: social cohesion?
Encouragingly, many in the UK have united against this violence, asserting that it does not represent Great Britain's values. This solidarity is reminiscent of the early days following George Floyd's murder when people globally took to the streets to stand against dehumanization, violence, and bigotry.
Such unity serves as a restorative salve for our interdependence. But only if it reinforces that despite the moment's feelings, as I state in Reconstructing Inclusion, “. . .there is not viable or sustainable do-it-yourself strategy. In the quest for inclusive and equitable organizations and communities where their stakeholders exist, we all win or lose, as we are all part of the superset that is humanity.”
Like many nations, the UK has a rich history of immigration. British society's cultural richness and economic vitality are a result of its woven diversity. I have heard that London is the most diverse city in the world. What that means is unclear as the definition of “diverse” has many dimensions to consider. Yet, a walk through the streets of London clearly reveals depth and breadth only seen in a handful of countries and cities in the world.
It's a stark irony that the parents of the British subject responsible for the tragic deaths of three young girls were themselves immigrants. This fact underscores the complexity of the immigration narrative and the danger of oversimplification.
However, it's crucial to avoid generalizing or scapegoating entire groups. The violent actions of a few thousand individuals do not represent the views of the 20-plus million white blokes in the UK any more than a man whose parents happen to be immigrants represents the perils of immigration.
Implicating all white people for the actions of a few does not create a less racist or more united kingdom. Instead, it risks further polarization and alienation.
As diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioners, we have a unique responsibility in these challenging times. Our role is not to capitalize on these events as a selling point for our services but to facilitate understanding, promote dialogue, and create conditions for safety and belonging.
We must deepen our capacity for magnanimity and center our common humanity. This means moving beyond simplistic narratives of “us vs. them” to recognize the complex interplay of social, economic, and historical factors contributing to current tensions. It means acknowledging pain and fears (including those who engaged in ignorant violent and destructive acts) while working towards healing and reconciliation. It doesn’t mean working to be more right. . .Rightness has never transformed anything.
Building community with the goal of healing pain, rather than identifying and isolating "racists," creates far more possibility for transformation. This approach aligns with building an "E.M.E.R.G.E.N.T. Inclusion System" which contains the principles and skills that have driven my work for the past 20+ years.
This framework emphasizes creating inclusive environments that benefit everyone, not just specific groups. In practice, this means that system inputs are accessible to all, actionable, meaning unambiguously prioritized, and aligned with a purpose that includes but is not entirely driven by financial gain.
Consider these actions right now:
1. Facilitating cross-cultural dialogues that allow people to share their experiences and concerns in a safe, respectful environment.
2. Promoting education about the realities of immigration, its benefits, and challenges to counter misinformation and fear.
3. Supporting initiatives that unite diverse communities around shared goals and interests.
4. Advocating for policies that address legitimate concerns about integration and social cohesion without resorting to discrimination or xenophobia.
In these incessantly ambiguous times, we must remember that our diversity and shared humanity are sources of strength if we choose them to be. The origins of recent events are not new, and our reactions to them are not either. Immigrant othering will not quickly cease, but it is much better than it’s ever been, and we make it better, not in reaction or matching hate with hate but through seeing the gross discontent and ignorance at its heart.
I hope for Great Britain and pray for those temporarily living in fear. But hope and prayers are not enough. We must act with compassion and wisdom to build the inclusive society we aspire to.
Let us all choose humanity each day in our words, actions, and policies. Through this consistent choice, we can create a truly “united kingdom” and a more united world.
I hope this was helpful. . . Make it a great day! ✌🏿
In this episode of the ‘Reconstructing Inclusion’ podcast, I am joined by esteemed Philosophers, Dr. Subrena Smith and Dr. David Livingstone Smith, who offer profound insights into the complex dynamics of race and its impact on society. They highlighted that racialization is deeply ingrained in the ideological foundations of race, perpetuating systemic oppression and exploitation.