INCLUSION over Diversity | Kenyona Matthews | TEDxAkron

Summary

The speaker, a diversity chair, critiques superficial diversity efforts, comparing them to a fruit platter where components are present but not integrated. Reflecting on personal experiences from Greensboro to college, they highlight the importance of moving from mere representation to genuine inclusion and active participation in conversations about race, class, and gender. The narrative emphasizes the need for institutions to acknowledge and actively dismantle racism, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has a seat and a voice.

Takeaways

• 🍇 The speaker expresses a personal dislike for the concept of diversity as it is often superficially implemented, likening it to a fruit platter where elements are present but not integrated.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the genuineness of diversity efforts, suggesting that merely having diverse representation without meaningful involvement is insufficient to combat racism.
• 🏠 Growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, the speaker felt a disconnect between their racially diverse upbringing and the broader societal narrative often portrayed in media.
• 📚 The speaker's college experience at a predominantly white institution initially led to feelings of isolation and cultural shock, highlighting the stark contrast in racial dynamics.
• 🗣️ The speaker recounts instances of dismissive and harmful comments from white peers, which underscored the lack of understanding and engagement with issues of race and privilege.
• 🔄 A turning point in the speaker's college experience came when the institution acknowledged its racist history and committed to becoming anti-racist, leading to more inclusive practices and conversations.
• 💰 The speaker highlights the investment made by their college in anti-racism education, including offering courses and establishing a multicultural education department, as a sign of genuine commitment to inclusion.
• 🎓 The speaker's academic journey involved majoring in three different fields, which also included creating a course on the philosophy of black thought, demonstrating the power of inclusion in education.
• 📘 The speaker's experience at Guilford College was transformative, providing a model of what an inclusive society could look like, where every discipline was required to address issues of race, class, and gender.
• 🚫 In law school, the speaker faced derogatory comments and stereotypes, illustrating the ongoing challenges of being perceived as a token minority rather than a legitimate participant.
• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of moving beyond mere diversity to true inclusion, where every individual has a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation.
• 🍉 The speaker concludes with a vision for a more inclusive society, likening the goal to transforming from a fruit bowl to a fruit salad, where different elements are not just present but also interconnected and valued.

Q & A

What is the speaker's perspective on diversity?

The speaker views diversity as superficial when it is only about representation without meaningful involvement or interaction among different groups.

What is the speaker's hometown and what is its significance?

The speaker's hometown is Greensboro, North Carolina, which is significant as the birthplace of the sit-in movement.

How did the speaker's experience in high school shape their understanding of diversity?

The speaker's experience in a majority-black high school allowed them to be rooted in their heritage and feel 'black love,' but also made them realize that not everyone they would encounter would look like them.

Why did the speaker choose to attend a predominantly white college?

The speaker chose a predominantly white college to diversify their world and experience a different cultural environment.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the racial discussions at the predominantly white college?

The speaker was disheartened by the dismissive and harmful comments made by white students, which included denial of racism and claims of colorblindness.

How did the speaker's college respond to the need for real change regarding diversity and inclusion?

The college acknowledged its racist history and committed to becoming anti-racist, offering anti-racism courses, establishing a multicultural education department, and fostering real conversations about race, class, and gender.

What was the speaker's involvement in promoting inclusion at their college?

The speaker became heavily involved in various activities, majored in three different fields, and helped develop a course on the philosophy of black thought.

How did the speaker's experience in law school differ from their college experience regarding diversity?

In law school, the speaker faced more overt racism and a lack of genuine diversity and inclusion, with some students referring to them and their black peers as 'affirmative action babies.'

What is the speaker's definition of an inclusive society?

An inclusive society, according to the speaker, is one where people of all backgrounds are not only present but also have a seat, a voice, and are valued for their worth and integrity.

What is the speaker's goal for the communities they live in?

The speaker's goal is for communities to evolve from being a 'fruit bowl' of separate elements to a 'fruit salad,' where different elements are interconnected and support each other while maintaining their individuality.

What challenge does the speaker issue to the audience regarding diversity and inclusion?

The speaker challenges the audience to move past superficial diversity, to recognize and act upon the humanity of people of color, and to create an inclusive environment where everyone has a voice.