Revisit Your DEI “Why”

We all have our personal reasons for being drawn to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work – either as aspiring allies, practitioners, teachers, or leaders. Or as supportive parents, friends, relatives, or activists. Whatever motivated you to get engaged, one thing is for sure: your dedication will be tested. There will be instances when you encounter people you just cannot get through to. There will be naysayers who question the validity or even the need for the work you do. There will be days when you look around and wonder if you’re having any impact at all because change is so slow and subtle, you may even miss it.

Those are the moments when you have to revisit your “why.” Go back to that moment you made a personal commitment to use your time and energy to fight for better, equitable outcomes for people who have been historically excluded. Take stock of the victories you’ve witnessed and achieved yourself – no matter how big or small – and know that you are making a difference. We are doing hard work: the work of changing hearts and minds. That’s no small task and knowing human nature, we know it won’t happen overnight. So hold onto your “why.” Write it out and post it on a wall to keep it visible. Refer back to it as often as you have to. Because change this big and this important is going to take all of us.