I think we value having a sense of belonging, for example, we want to feel seen, valued, nurtured and supported. I haven't met anyone who doesn't want to feel that they matter. Now think about this through the lens of intersectionality. Think about how different aspects of our identity can determine whether we are welcomed into certain spaces, how we are treated once we are there, and whether we feel that we truly belong. And this is where inclusion becomes a question of membership.
- Who decides who gets to belong?
- Who makes the rules?
- Who decides who is allowed into the space, and who isn't?
Perhaps the more important question is: how do we reject these ideas and these forms of exclusion? I think it starts within our own sphere of influence. We each have the ability to either support the systems, behaviours and assumptions that exclude people or challenge them. Inclusion isn't simply about opening the door, it's about asking ourselves who gets invited in, who gets to stay, and whether they are genuinely made to feel that they belong.
““The softer the advice is given, the harder it lands.””