The PODIUM
National REPORTS
DEIA Taskforce Report NatCon 2021:
“Brother, Look at the Brother in the Mirror” by Donald Lee, Jr., Chair Life Member, Zeta Eta South Carolina State University
M
isunderstandings happen because of a lack of understanding, a fear of the unknown, or an inability to see beyond one’s own sphere of influence. Marinate on these for a minute: Do you find yourself using negative racial epithets to refer to someone of a different race than yourself? Do you find yourself using negative sexual connotations to refer to someone of a different sexual orientation than yourself? Do you find yourself disliking, even hating, someone who espouses a different ideology than yours? Do you find yourself pushing aside or outright being rude to someone because of a disability that another person may have? Do you even find yourself disliking someone because they look, sound, and/ or dress differently than you? Brother, look at the Brother in the Mirror. Over the course of the past few months I have had to opportunity to read and study various pieces of literature as well as have the opportunity to speak with many persons with great ideas about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy. One of the things that I learned is that we must engage in difficult conversations and ask ourselves some difficult questions. Questions like: how can we move outside our comfort zone? Do we listen for understanding or are we listening to just respond? When answering these questions, I learned from Bang Co, we have to allow ourselves to feel and lean into our vulnerability. I struggled when writing this, but I devised this definition of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy:
34 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
• Diversity – having differing voices at the table (Are we as a fraternity allowing multiple voices at the table?)
Joe Valdecañas, Alpha Omega chapter brother said that “The main problem that I would like to bring up is representation. As someone who is an immigrant from the Philippines and that grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania where no one looked like me, lack of representation really affected how I viewed myself and how I viewed the world. I think the best example for this in the fraternity is when Bang Co joined the national council. He may not be exactly like me, but I know he has had experiences similar enough to mine that it gave me the confidence to think “if he can do it and succeed, so can I.” Alyssia Price, brother of Gamma Nu, continues with “Diversity is the collection of differences that make each of us unique as individuals. It not only comprises our physical differences, but also encompasses the thoughts, culture, and ideas that allow each of us to have a different viewpoint and perspective on life. While these differences have been used to promote hatred and fear in the past, embracing diversity allows us to be more creative and innovative.” We must be consistent in our efforts to change for the better regarding Diversity. One set of meetings and resolutions with little to no enforcement will not be enough. There is a lack of diversity sensitivity amongst some of the collegiate brothers,
Brother Laurenté Oby, Nu Psi Chapter states. Brother Oby goes on to elaborate that “There was an incident while I was working on the district hymn committee where a brother used language that he thought was appropriate when responding/commenting on an African American spiritual.” Because of this, he believes making DEI training workshops a part of yearly chapter training could eliminate this.”
• Equity – each voice having the same weight and authority at the table (Does each differing voice have the same weight and authority?)
My aunt Linda Green-Jenkins always said “Some people have to let go of their superiority complex. Why spend your energy trying to make me lower than you? Spend your energy working to make everything better for everybody. No one should ever feel like they are better than anyone else because each one of us is great and each one of us is equal.”
• Inclusion – involving each voice the equal opportunity at the table to affect decisions (Do we all have a chance to be involved to be considered?)
Our Vice President of Membership and Expansion, Bang Co says that “Inclusion may look different to different people. We have to check our attitudes so that we may be welcoming for all to
