Here to Stay!

Webster’s dictionary defines resiliency as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.”[1] I understand that change is hard and is often incremental when it comes to equity surrounding issues of race, sex, and power. With the current negative conversations and laws being implemented surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion measures, resiliency is one thing our people are known to have, as we continue to battle for equity. We have overcome so much but continue to receive pushback from some when progress is made. People are afraid that they will lose their power and privilege, which indicates to me that they are aware that inequity persists in our society.

Consider this, during the Reconstruction Era, we had two African American Senators elected from the State of Mississippi. Currently we have four African American Senators, only twice the amount as what we had 154 years ago, although those who obtained the seats during Reconstruction did not serve at the same time, they both came from Mississippi, a State with a long-racialized history. In over two hundred years, we have only had eleven African American/Black Senators in America. [2] A Senate seat is held in high regard, as each state only has two seats, and the position is held for six years before having run for reelection. There is power in the Senate to make laws, eliminate laws, and represent your state. The Senate is not the only space we lack representation.

Currently we have eight African American CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, this is an increase since the murder of George Floyd and the cry for access, justice, and equity. When Floyd was murdered, we only had four CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, but with the push for more diversity, we began to see an increase. Now, considering the pushback on DEI initiatives, will we see a decline in these numbers, too?

The American Psychological Association defines resiliency as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy” and being able to bounce back and not allow the trauma to control your life. [3] While that all sounds great the reality is that African Americans have experienced trauma in America since our ancestors, who were farmers, architects, entrepreneurs etc. were stolen from their land and brought here and enslaved. We come from greatness but continue to face adverse situations in the “land of milk and honey.”[4]

The pushback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is going to hurt our communities. We continue to experience disparities such as access to loans for homes, quality education and fair employment opportunities. Recently, the Governor of Virginia spoke at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for graduation and students walked out in protest of his anti-DEI stance. [5] Recently two universities in Virginia, to include VCU, have decided not to make any DEI courses mandatory for undergraduate students. [6]

No two people are exactly the same, we have diversity of thought, experience and lives. Diversity is variety, which is beautiful. Inclusion is not just about having a seat at the table but having input into the decision-making process. Equity is about fairness while recognizing that we all don’t have the same lived experience or access to resources due to historical or contemporary policies.

“Diversity requires commitment. Achieving the superior performance diversity can produce needs further action– most notably, a commitment to develop a culture of inclusion. People do not just need to be different; they need to be fully involved and feel their voices are heard.”[7] This is what is needed in America-recognizing and appreciating the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are stronger together than we are divided but far too many people don’t want to see us come together as a Country. It appears to be more beneficial to some for us to remain uneducated and divided.