Diversity, equality, equity, inclusion: What do they really mean?
Some common words these days are diversity, equality, equity, inclusion. These are all important words which have to do with the various differences that we all have and how to deal with them. These words are meant to get us to the point of treating people like the human beings that they are. Here are definitions of these words.
Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and various lifestyles, experiences and interests.
Another definition of diversity is the presence of differences that may include race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment or political perspective. dei.extension.org
It is important to note that the definition goes beyond race, ethnicity and gender.
Inclusion is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups. www.google.com/search?q=inclusion+definition&rlz
Inclusion is seen as a universal human right. The aim of inclusion is to embrace all people irrespective of race, gender, disability, medical or other need. It is about giving equal access and opportunities and getting rid of discrimination and intolerance (removal of barriers).
Social equity is impartiality, fairness and justice for all people in social policy. Social equity takes into account systemic inequalities to ensure everyone in a community has access to the same opportunities and outcomes.
What's the difference between equality and equity?
Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
We all know that we live in a diverse world, that is naturally a given; we are all different. Equity and equality are situations that do not naturally exist and efforts must be made to achieve them because of the natural existence of diversity. The natural state of diversity means that individuals are not “equal,” and are not necessarily given the same opportunities because they are different. So rules and laws must be created to ensure equality and equity. Inclusion also must be created because it does not exist naturally. So it is the natural state of diversity that forces the creation of inclusion, equality and equity. They exist to negate or erase the negative consequences of diversity, otherwise known as discrimination — where people are treated unfairly because they are different (diverse).
So how do we ensure inclusion, equality and equity, which emanate from discrimination?
It must begin from within the individual. Any amount of training may not get us there. Lived experiences, such as travel abroad to a Muslim country if one is Christian, or vice versa, and interacting with and making friends with those who are different. Perhaps, it is having roommates and friends from different countries, religions and ethnicities, working and living with people of different genders and sexual orientations, and actually befriending and learning more about them. Perhaps, it is visiting different churches, expanding our horizons by reading more about a variety of topics and immersing ourselves in others’ cultures.
These experiences can expand our minds and cause us not to make assumptions about people (implicit bias), but it must be very intentional. Get to know people, make fewer blind assumptions about them. What you may find could completely change your way of thinking and make you a true ally in the quest for equality, inclusion, equity and social justice. It has to start with us as individuals.
Kojo A. Quartey, Ph.D., is president of Monroe County Community College and an economist. He may be reached at kquartey@monroeccc.edu.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Kojo Quartey: What do diversity, equality, equity, inclusion mean?
