603 ESSAY
W n BY JAMES T. MCKIM, JR.
elcoming and belonging. We all want to feel as if we are welcoming. We all want to feel as if we belong. Welcoming and belonging seem to be two sides of the same coin. The question on the table today — “Is New Hampshire a welcoming place for diverse people such that they feel as if they belong”? First, some definitions. Merriam-Webster defines welcoming as “to greet (someone) in a warm and friendly manner as in // She welcomed the students into her home.” Belonging is defined as “close or intimate relationship // as in a sense of belonging.“ How do we welcome people such that they feel they belong? By greeting them with a smile and warm tone of voice. Introducing them to others and to new ideas. Including them in conversations and activities. Providing equitable access to public resources and services. Acknowledging their contributions. C.E. Garcia, in her article “Belonging in a predominantly White institution” described five primary characteristics of belonging: 1. Where I have a role or responsibility; 2. Where people look like me; 3. Where I am valued and cared for; 4. Where my racial identity and culture is recognized and valued; and 5. Where I share interests or values with others.
While the article was focused on race, I think most people would agree that these characteristics of belonging are applicable from more than just the perspective of race. How does this play out in our daily lives in New Hampshire? U.S. News & World Report “Best States Ranking” New Hampshire is No. 4 in the nation for best places to live. This ranking measures healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure/environment, public safety (crime & corrections), fiscal stability of state government, and opportunity for residents. But does that translate to being a welcoming state where everyone feels they belong?
38 603Diversity.com | February 2022
Healthcare: According to NH Health and Human Services reporting, African Americans and Latino citizens are twice as likely to contract Covid-19. Education: The NH Department of Education reports that White students are 10% more likely to graduate from high school than African American students. ProPublica reports that white New Hampshire students are 2.5 times as likely to be enrolled in at least one AP class as students of two or more races. Economy/Opportunity: The World Population Review reports that in New Hampshire, people of color are three times more likely to be in poverty than whites.
U.S. News & World Report places New Hampshire at No. 4 in the nation for best places to live. But does that translate to being a welcoming state where everyone feels they belong? Infrastructure/Environment: While the physical infrastructure of the state does not seem to be discriminatory, the attitudes of many leaders and hate groups in this live free or die state create an atmosphere where people feel they cannot speak their minds or be themselves. The passing of recent bills such as HB2, which included the Right to Freedom from Discrimination statute and various abortion bans, have struck fear into many, including those of the predominant race. Public Safety (Crime & Corrections): Black and Hispanic people make up 9% of arrests, although they are just 5% of the population. Looking at those statistics through the lens of the characteristics of belonging we can answer the question: Is New Hampshire a welcoming state where people feel they belong?
Courtesy photo
Welcoming and Belonging in NH
