What’s up with DEI? What’s missing?

I’ve been thinking a lot about DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and its role in international schools against the current changing political and social tides.

As a white, Anglo Saxon male, it would be ignorant for me to pretend that I don’t come from a very privileged background and that I was a given head start just by being born. It was also be ignorant to pretend like I don’t have biases - some I have developed myself and others have been socialized into me through society.

I strongly believe in inclusion in education and that this inclusion must come from a place of equity. Fairness does not necessarily mean equal. Education should not be a factory model anyways and should be deeply personalized as much as possible.

Diversity and the commonly added Justice component is harder for me understand. I love the diversity of ethnicities, cultures, and nationalities in international schools. I’m not sure that Justice belongs in an equal setting as DEI in schools but that could be my bias as I’ve not been a victim of segregation, exclusion, and discrimination. I have lived as part of a minority in dominant Asian countries but it’s certainly not the same.

However, I think the piece that is missing, and resonates the most with me is Belonging. Surely we all want a community in which we each feel we Belong and are accepted? It was Dr. Derrick Gay who first brought this to my attention and it has resonated with me ever since.

I’m still working through DEI. Is it DEIJ? Is it DEIB? Is it DEIJB?

I’m curious to hear your thoughts and guidance.