‘If we can break down those walls, which are the boxes that we’re put in, then we don’t need to have a window to see into other people and who they are and what they are and how they live. If we can do away with the really restrictive boxes that we’ve been continually putting ourselves in over the past decades and more.’
Daryl Sinclair
This fantastic conversation on the Thought Stretchers podcast hosted by Drew Perkins, myself, Carlos Hoyt (Author of Diversity without Divisiveness) and Nunana Nyomi delve into the complexities of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in educational contexts. In a lovely exchange of interpretations and approaches, we navigate the past and present reality of DEI work and consider how the work needs to be approached now to support outcomes that develop belonging and self-realisation for our learning communities.
Through the lens of Carlos Hoyt’s consideration of expansionist and restrictive DEI, we look at the importance of moving beyond rigid identity categories and embracing a more expansive view of identity that allows for individual agency and self-identification. Weexplore the challenges of racial identity, the need for anti-bias education, and the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in society
Key Takeaways to build into our DEIJ work:
- Engaging with identity labels should not restrict opportunities for individuals.
- Expansive DEI includes everyone collectively and honors community formation, while restrictive DEI limits participation with explicit segregation and separate treatment along a ‘like-with-with’ approach to community formation.
- Identities linked to inequitable treatment
Check out the full episode above to deepen your understanding of identity and modern DEI work.
#DEIJHotTakes #SystemicEquity #EachOneTeachOne
