Word Formulas: Foundational Terms
Equity-related terms and their relationships to one another
Before we get much further in this series of essays, I think it’s important to have a common understanding of various terms that are foundational to equity work. (After all, I’m ever the teacher, and vocabulary is important!)
During my first year in the position, I learned from a state-level leader to have definitions simple enough for a third grader to understand and also dense enough to be unpacked by adults (not an easy feat).
Here’s how I would explain these terms to a third grader:
Diversity - celebrating differences
Inclusion - welcoming and valuing participation from all people (The valuing part is essential. You can be “in the room where it happens,”1 but if your input isn’t valued, it’s not true inclusion.)
Cultural competency - the knowledge and skill to understand, value and be able navigate different cultures
Belonging - being accepted for all parts of who you are
Equity - meeting specific needs in specific ways
Justice - holding up the well-being and dignity of every person and group of people
(It might take a bit more to explain “dignity” to a third grader, but I believe the word is important, so it’s worth the extra step.)2
Dignity - everyone is born as valuable and worthy (without having to earn it)
It’s also important to be able to articulate how these terms are interrelated. The following are ”word formulas” to help demonstrate some of these relationships:
+ means “with”
- means “without”
= means “leads to”
>> means “is a prerequisite for”
Diversity >> Inclusion3
In order to have true inclusion, you need to have diversity.
Diversity - Inclusion = tokenizing and/or expecting assimilation
If you make a symbolic effort to include people from underrepresented groups but their input isn’t valued, it may have the appearance of inclusion, but it’s not the practice of inclusion (this is called tokenizing).
Sometimes differences are said to be valued, but the expectation is that people assimilate into the mainstream culture, leaving their culture behind. In the end, this is not celebrating differences (diversity) anymore because compliance is expected (explicitly or implicitly).
Equity + Inclusion - Cultural competency = reinforcing inequitable systems
Even when we try to meet needs (equity) and welcome and value diverse participation (inclusion), if we don’t have the skills to navigate different cultures (cultural competency), we’ll end up reinforcing the status quo (inequitable systems).
Cultural competency - Equity = also reinforcing inequitable systems
We may have the skills to navigate different cultures (cultural competency), but our goals must include meeting needs, including access to opportunities, resources and support across systems. If they don’t, then the outcomes will not change for communities that have been marginalized, and we’ll reinforce the systems that created inequities in the first place.
Diversity - Equity = “window dressing”
While we might celebrate differences on the surface, if we’re not simultaneously working to meet needs, including access to opportunities, resources, and support (equity), then we’re not truly valuing the differences.
Inclusion + Equity = Belonging
People need to have both access to opportunities, resources and support (equity) and be authentically valued (inclusion) in order to feel fully accepted as themselves (belonging).
Dignity (part of justice) must be integrated into each of the following, otherwise they become distorted:
Diversity - Dignity = differences aren’t celebrated
Belonging - Dignity = not accepted for who I am
Cultural competency - Dignity = the knowledge and skills to navigate cultures without valuing them
Another way that I’ve helped to demonstrate the relationship between these terms is to create a visual representation showing the inter-connectivity. One example could be showing a house where the foundation is justice, with diversity being the first level built on top. Inclusion is shown as the second floor since it requires diversity to already be in place. There are many creative ways to illustrate how these concepts work together.
What else would you add? What would you adjust?
I’m excited for us to be able to learn from each other as I share what I’ve learned. It’s important that sharing and learning be welcoming and inclusive.
Expectations for comments:
Be curious
Be kind
I couldn’t help myself with the Hamilton reference. Yes, I realize the song is probably now going to be stuck in your head. You’re welcome.
A helpful podcast episode on this topic that actually covers talking to 3rd graders about dignity: How to Talk to Kids about Dignity with Dr. Donna Hicks
These “word formulas” were inspired by “Understanding Key Concepts” by Race Forward.