DEI efforts fail because we don’t center social justice.
Yes, we want more inclusive workplace cultures. Yes, we want more Black executives, pay equity, gender neutral bathrooms, accommodations for people with disabilities.
All that and more should be striven for. And, until people with power realize why these gaps exist, they will continue to exist.
June is Pride month. As the son of a gay man who died of AIDS, I support and celebrate Pride month. And part of that celebration is knowing my LGBTQ history and why we still need Pride month in 2021.
June 21 was the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre. 300 Black people were murdered by an angry White mob because a Black boy was falsely accused of raping a White girl. I'm glad it's getting more recognition. And, the hate and racism that led to that race massacre is still rampant today.
Things are still socially unjust. There's still rampant racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia.
Yes, some things are better. And much is still the same. And will stay the same.
Until we change our focus.
When we view our work with a social justice lens, we know that while the celebrations and recognitions are important, they are a piece of a much larger collective effort that is needed to drive impact and affect change.
So let's get to it.