Episode 9 – Wait, What’s DEI Again? A Not-Boring History Lesson

In This Episode:

We’re hitting the reset button! After eight episodes, we’re returning to the fundamentals – but with all the wisdom we’ve gained along the way. Think you know what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean? Think again. We’re exploring how these core concepts have evolved, why the “basics” keep changing, and what we’ve learned about what actually works (spoiler: it’s not one-hour diversity training). Plus, we’ll discuss why each generation needs to redefine these ideas and how understanding intersectionality and psychological safety has revolutionized our approach to workplace inclusion.

What We Covered:

• DEI 2.0: Revisiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with deeper understanding
• How the fundamentals have evolved since early civil rights movements
• Why basic concepts keep changing as society progresses
• The difference between legal compliance and cultural change
• How research has shaped our understanding of what actually works

Key Takeaways:

• The “basics” of DEI aren’t actually basic – they’re foundational but constantly evolving
• Diversity without inclusion creates tokenism; equity addresses root causes, not just symptoms
• Each generation must relearn and redefine these concepts for their context
• One-size-fits-all diversity training can actually increase bias without broader systemic change
• Understanding intersectionality is crucial for effective DEI work

Historical Context Covered:

• Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its limitations
• Stonewall uprising (1969) and ongoing LGBTQ+ rights struggles
• Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and disability activism
• Evolution from charity models to rights-based approaches for disability
• Development of intersectionality theory and psychological safety research