In an era marked by dramatic change, we witness the identities of underrepresented communities evolving toward greater fluidity, while the language of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) remains anchored in fixed categorizations. Maude’s Brief and Bold session, titled “New Narrative of Change,” delves into how our collective vision for a just, fair, and inclusive world hinges on an ideological shift—from surface-level labels to a focus on identity.
Traditionally, demographics have served as the narrative lens through which we identify disparities. However, this New Narrative of Change session explores three critical themes, suggesting that it’s time to acknowledge their limitations and embrace a more resonant approach:
• Profound Shifts in Self-Perception: Underrepresented groups have experienced profound shifts in how perceive themselves. We have passed the point where we can look at another and assume what matters to them.
• Tension Between Chosen Identity and External Labeling: The unresolved tension between chosen identity and external labeling creates a growing landscape of communities that DEI advocates should recognize but may overlook.
• Lack of precise language: Language plays a pivotal role in shaping our reality. Yet, we lack precise, descriptive language for today’s world. Consider that Mixed-race is now the fastest-growing minority population. What do you call someone who is a half, a quarter, or an eighth of different ethnicities?
Disconnection is the crisis of our time. Our world currently navigates a zeitgeist moment characterized by political polarization, trust shortages, an epidemic of loneliness, and a wave of DEI backlash. In this context, the session aims to connect these events and highlight how identity challenges the existing paradigm, ultimately impacting deeper human connections. Furthermore, it sheds light on how categorization may lead DEI efforts to overlook the intersections of meaning and money, which have broader implications for the greater good.
