#160

I recently came across this Stephen Covey quote, "Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important." In light of recent events - especially with The Black Lives Matter movement, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on particular groups and January 6 in The United States Capitol - this quote gave me pause for thought. I wholeheartedly believe that it is both urgent and important for us to address issues pertaining to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in our schools and in our wider world.

I am particularly mindful that at this juncture in time awareness of DEI - in part due to the events listed above - is becoming increasingly prominent. DEI statements or foundational statements are starting to appear/take greater prominence on websites and in print in a multitude of fields, for example Slate’s 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Report.

As we strive to build societies which are diverse with equity and inclusion at their heart, I am sharing some previously posted blog entries:

• Diversity + Privilege (May 2019)

• Some Brief Thoughts on Equality (September 2018)

• Inclusion (December 2018)

Drawing on Rachel Cargle’s quote, "My equation for Black allyship is: knowledge + empathy + action", I have posted blogs in a series:

• Knowledge + Empathy + Action (Part III) (October 2020)

• Knowledge + Empathy + Action [Part II] (August 2020)

• Knowledge + Empathy + Action (June 2020).

Each of these posts in this series ends with these words, “As we (within the school settings and on a personal level) reflect on history, recent events and our roles as allies, how can we - with the view to making the world a better place for all - challenge the racial inequalities and discrimination that exist in the larger community?” With a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, I continue to ask this question.

With the view to expand one’s thinking, it is apt to share these relevant, hopeful and inspirational quotes:

Mindful that this week started with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and in thinking of two of his most pertinent quotes, “The time is always right to do what is right” and “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education” and drawing upon Stephen Covey’s quote, "Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important", how will you address these urgent and important issues pertaining to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in our schools and in our wider world?

References:

• Check, D. (2020) Slate’s 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Report Slate.com