I am a Proud DEI Hire!
I am Dedicated
I have dedicated my life to the mission to “make manifest the value of all people.” Achieving that mission has included several chapters: working in the private sector as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, working in the public sector as an EEO Officer, in academia providing education to others who have chosen careers in service to others, and as a consultant working with a myriad of organizations.
I am Educated
When people ask me for recommendations on how to do what I do for a living, I consistently respond, “Get the best education in this field that you can.” Mine is a multidisciplinary field and so, practitioners may begin in the legal profession or in human resources or in training and development or in organizational psychology. Whichever the focus, it is critical to get a solid education in the history of discrimination, including sexual harassment and to have a fundamental understanding of employment law if you are going to be truly effective in this work.
I am Inspired
The motivation for committing my life to creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion is based on a childhood of being othered (being discriminated against, bullied, harassed, assaulted, and excluded) by those who were taught not to value my difference. Being subjected to hateful treatment resulted in my deep empathy for others who suffer the same. As one who has risen from brokenness, I break cycles of abuse and hatred. I am inspired and honored to do the work that I do.
Say it Loud!
When the haters try to co-opt our words and language with the intent of weaponizing them against us my response is to refuse to participate. I call on everyone who has been subjected to hatred based on any of your affinities or identities to say it loud, “I AM A PROUD DEI HIRE!” My diversity is an asset. Equity is a requisite for my participation, not rhetoric. I must be included—fully, fairly, and with respect. I am not asking for favors, or any special treatment. This is basic, fundamental, and a benefit to everyone who understands it.
I am Qualified
The gaslighting behind the anti-DEI movement is predicated on the lie that “DEI Hires” are not qualified. This lie is usually pushed by those whose own qualifications for whatever role they are in or are seeking may be questionable. There have been many times when I have seen the qualifications bar lowered for someone’s relative, friend, or former college roommate, I have never seen that bar lowered for a BIPOC candidate, an LGBTQi candidate, or a candidate with disabilities whether a new hire or for a promotion.
The ‘fake it till you make it’ crowd doesn’t seem to suffer from imposter syndrome as they have been privileged for years of being given opportunities without having to prove how qualified they are. While those of us who have been excluded tend to over-achieve so that there can be no question that we have earned our seat at the table.
Untie or Unite?
If someone tries to distract you from your goals or to convince you that you are better or worse than another person, ask yourself what they are trying to accomplish. Unity is an amazing and wonderful experience. When collaborating with a group of people whose diversity combines to create something new and exciting is seen as a threat or in any negative light, please question why. If someone tries to convince you that DEI is a bad thing, again, ask them why they see it this way. Attempts to untie, unravel, and undo unity or to disrupt harmony and to denigrate kindness are not new, they are just exponentially amplified by the anonymity of the internet. I have two words for the enablers and amplifiers of this rhetoric: Stop it!
I am a Leader
I have been in my chosen field of DEAIB for decades and as result have earned the respect and trust of many colleagues and clients. As a woman of mixed race and ethnicity who has navigated the many challenges of a world that fosters exclusion and discrimination (both as an employee and for twenty years as a small business owner), I have learned to be proud of my diversity, to see it as the asset that it is, in addition to my education and experience.
Earned Trust
Yesterday, the President of the United States passed the torch (picture the Statue of Liberty) by endorsing his Vice President to be the next President of the United States. President Biden is a white man who understands the importance of diversity of affinity and identity, perspective, and experience. He nominated Vice President Kamala Harris based on her decades of dedication to public service, her education and experience as a prosecutor, Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President, and her inspiration as a woman, a Black woman, a South Asian woman, a mixed race person, and a daughter of immigrants. Those identities and affinities are bonuses for us, the American People, as members of the most diverse nation in the world. As we rededicate our country to becoming one where equity is the foundation for our equality, and where inclusion of all is valued and embraced.
I am honored to have met Vice President Harris years ago, when she was the Attorney General of the State of California and I am proud to endorse her as the next President of the United States. I trust that she will serve our nation and our world with dignity, mindfulness, and gravitas as the first woman president in our 235 year history.
Onward!
Wendy Amengual Wark
Wendy@InclusionStrategy.com
www.InclusionStrategy.com
July 22, 2024
Photo: W. Amengual Wark, 2016