Inclusion Revolution

by Daisy Auger

I recently finished Daisy Auger-Dominguez (she/her/ella)'s Inclusion Revolution. Rather than try to summarize her message, I share some inspirational quotes from her final chapter, persist.

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. It's important to remember that we are still building, iterating and trying to see what is working to transform the workplace. This is not about burning down the house, but living in construction. Change is not going to happen overnight. We look to leaders for solutions when times are challenging but even the most ethical decision maker and ally grapples with uncertainty. “

”I can't tell you how many times I have felt defeated, enraged, and demoralized by my bosses, by my colleagues, by the lack of progress, by broken promises and diluted goals, and by the constant news cycle, we all want to be where we are supported and encouraged to. Instead, many of us are tolerated, if not accepted. We are put on display for optics, yet disempowered and silenced. “

“Old power structures will be destabilized. And old rules will lose potency. Instead of filling the void with short lived promises, address the root causes of racial inequity. This moment in history has proven that the status quo doesn't work. It doesn't work for institutions, and it doesn't work for individuals.”

“We underestimate the challenge of making belonging, equity, and inclusion stick, and we have failed to explain to everyone involved what's available on the other side. To achieve real inclusion, we cannot overlook the extra effort our brains have to make to include others and the level of discomfort associated with going against some of our most basic instincts.”

“Yes, the world is at an inflection point, but we must take the time to understand people's fears, motivations, and willingness to change. This is where the grappling begins. Second, we cannot fix decades of structural inequity by tinkering at the margins. There's often a lack of incentives for involving everyone in driving change together. But here's what we must also admit to ourselves. The big white elephant in the room. If institutions and organizations are serious about correcting wrongs and addressing structural failures, then the people in positions of power must be willing to get out of their own way and out of the way of those who can replace current leaders and decision makers.”

“Transforming systems takes time, resources, and patience. Here's what I envision. Radically inclusive and equity minded workplaces where leaders and team members are empathetically anti-racist. Where creativity and innovation come from everywhere. Where all aspects of our identities are represented equitably at all levels, across organizations and institutions where safe, fair, and dignified work is the norm. Where wellness is built into organizational design and where we are willing to test, iterate, and pivot so that everyone can be successful.”