Corporations that have invested in DEI are outperforming their peers according to Fortune (Aug/23). A majority of employees believe that DEI is good in the workplace says Pew Research (May/23). From investors to employees, the data is clear: DEI is important as ever. #RethinkDEI

In the ongoing theme of #RethinkingDEI: What if you approached racial justice and equity work by pulling a page from the harm reduction playbook? This video makes the connection between these ideas and argues why harm reduction may be a path toward addressing oppression.

Affirmative action's defeat following the progress made after George Floyd's murder is an old pattern. Since the US Civil War, White Supremacy has always pushed back hard following racial justice gains. If you can't see the pattern, how can you interrupt it? #EDISystemsThinking

#RethinkingDEI as Harm Reduction 2/3: "Harm reduction" describes the work we do in EDI... as every micro-aggression cannot be addressed in the moment; what research-based inner skill can help us avoid burnout or fall into despair as we tackle systemic forms of discrimination?

#RethinkingDEI as Harm Reduction (part 3/3) I explain "meaning-making" as a key inner work skill, why it's important to help put the challenging work of racial justice and equity into context, and share why shame and blame won't help break the cycle.

'DEI ideology' overstates harm, victim-perpetrator binaries & callouts. 'DEI literacy' centers compassion, relationships, learning & "calling in". In polarized times, less of the former & more of the latter is needed to bring a critical mass to the side of justice. #RethinkDEI

For anti-racism to regain lost ground, our education strategy needs a radical shift. Less 'DEI ideology' and more 'DEI literacy' rooted in compassion to bring more people to the side of justice. The former leads to polarization, the latter to Beloved Community. #RethinkDEI

In polarized times with democracy under attack, racial justice & equity education for adults needs to be more learner-centric and less teacher-centric. Meet people where they, not where we want them to be. More 'DEI literacy', less 'DEI ideology'. #RethinkDEI

Many DEI leaders leave the impression that we are 'finished products' always with the 'right' answers. Being vulnerable about our own biases and learning journeys humanizes the work. The former pushes 'DEI ideology', while the latter nurtures 'DEI literacy'. #RethinkDEI

Trumpism, neoliberalism & White Supremacy are key factors in affirmative action's defeat. Yet to rebuild better, justice workers need to have an honest conversation about how WE also contribute to the polarization by allowing 'ideological DEI' strategies to weaken us. #RethinkDEI

Canada must speak out against the violations of human rights and international law underway right now. This 24 hour order to evacuate, the use of white phosphorus, and retaliating against civilian infrastructure, homes, hospitals with 6000 bombs are all direct violations!

Harm reduction more accurately reflects what we're ACTUALLY doing in racial justice and equity work. We can't eradicate all biases and microaggressions but we can reduce the impact through education, policies, practices & skill development. #DEIasHarmReduction

The fear of causing "harm" in equity work nurtures constant anxiety and sets unrealistic expectations that all harm potential can be anticipated & eradicated. But this puts many into a freeze state, reducing the possibility of taking practical action. #DEIasHarmReduction

To bring a critical mass to the side of justice, consider anti-racism within a harm reduction framework. System racism is a "habit": one driven by biases in policy, practices and behaviours to become implicit and repetitive. #DEIasHarmReduction

Unconsciously, many folks internalize a habit of centering the experiences & values of white people over BIPOC. Reducing harm requires recognizing this pattern while learning how to break personal/systemic cycles of unconscious prejudice and pro-white bias. #DEIasHarmReduction

In DEI work people often feel overwhelmed by a 'systemic' view of racism & do nothing. Or they tackle injustice without personal boundaries & burn out. 'Meaning making' skills within a frame of #DEIasHarmReduction can help people across the continuum engage & be more effective.

Many racial justice workers are prone to burnout, struggling with repeated harms experienced directly/indirectly in their communities. PTSD research says "meaning making" skills are key, learning to make sense of life's harm potential & keep perspective. #DEIasHarmReduction

Approaching #DEIasHarmReduction reminds us that shame & blame are ineffective strategies in helping break bad habits or creating lasting change. Breaking prejudice habits requires DEI education that meets people where they're at, not where we want them to be.

It was a memorable interview. Glad it’s still resonating 5-years later.

OMG this is brilliant. This woman put her tech skills to use to troll VA Gov. Glenn Youngkin over a tipline he put up to report CRT. Her talk will give you life. x.com/KeneAkers/stat…