Inclusion

One school year when my daughter was ten, it became apparent she was the only child in the class not invited to the birthday party of another student. We thought at first it was an oversight, but this was cleared up when the birthday girl informed my daughter she did not like her and that was why she was not invited. It was hard, because my daughter had to listen to the build up and then the afterglow. At the end of the year, my daughter wanted to host a pool party in our backyard, which I agreed to with one stipulation, we would include all of her classmates. She did and a fun time was had by all.

As human beings, we need to connect, to be included. It validates who we are as humans, makes us feel like we belong and have something of value to contribute to our society. In 1995, The World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen defined an inclusive society as a society for all, that everyone, regardless of their background can achieve their full potential in life.

Diversity, equity and inclusion have been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration as being the cause of all that ails us as a nation. Just focusing on the inclusion piece of the framework, think about a time when you where that ten year old that was left out of the group, maybe it was lunch with your coworkers, a party you were not invited to, or an idea you had that was dismissed and how did that make you feel? Contrast that to a time when you were included, part of that lunch, invited to the party or your idea was validated and how did that feel?

The next time an issue of inclusion comes up, rather than use what someone looks like, who they vote for, who they worship or who they love to judge, remember they are simply a person who wants to belong, just like you do. It might be the start to a more inclusive society for all.