Our Shared Understanding of Terms Diversity
What do we mean when we use the words: diversity, equity, and inclusion? There is much local, national, and global discourse about what DEI is and is not. It is important for us at Kinkaid to be intentional about communicating what the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to us. Additionally, having a definitional foundation is necessary to create common ground as the community embarks on this important work together.
The wide range of characteristics used to identify individual and group identities. Some examples include ability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, neurodiversity, race, religion, sexual orientation. Diversity is often shorthand for visible and/or quantifiable statuses. There is also diversity of thought, experiences, and perspectives. Equity Through a balance of fairness and inclusion, ensuring that students have what they need to reach their full potential — that their circumstances do not become obstacles to their achievement. Barriers that would prevent full participation of all individuals are eliminated. Inclusion Honoring diversity by taking everyone’s experience and identity into account to create an environment where all feel accepted, safe, empowered, affirmed, and supported. An inclusive school expands its sense of community to cultivate belonging for all.
Equality
Equity
— Mujidat Shotonwa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Belonging. The need to be an accepted member of a group. An emotional need, an inherent desire to be part of something greater than oneself. As Roy Baumeister, a Professor of Psychology, has stated, ‘This desire is so universal that the need to belong is found across all cultures and different types of people.’ Because it is crucial to our well-being as humans, belonging is invaluable to the health and strength of our community.
— Mujidat Shotonwa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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