I’m very excited for all of the clients and organizations committed to creating an equitable future for our community. As the “people with money and power” continue to make decisions against equity, even restricting the use of the word – I see a call to action. Anyone and everyone can say they want to be equitable; they want an equitable organization and want to create equitable impacts and so on but a want is much different from doing. The restricted use of equity is an opportunity to practice equity (see what I did there) because the practice-- the action -- is how change happens.

I believe we are in the midst of a transition in our society; a messy middle where the dominant system(s) is/are noticeably starting to become ineffective to our needs (think: healthcare, childcare, education, and work expectations to name a few). Many of us may be responding to fear and anxiety about how it will fail, maybe a little existential dread fed through scarcity. The important thing to keep in mind is a new dominant system will emerge and the opportunity is to decide what that dominant system will be and build it, based on our values, dreams, and aspiration.

If I’m remembering correctly, many institutions and organizations alike put out DEI statements two or three years ago and asserted commitment to a more equitable future. With this in mind, this current attack on equity is a call to action to demonstrate and show what equity is to those who are reluctant and misinformed.

I understand that words mean things - we have to name something so we can refer to it – I understand these things. AND words only describe what we do. So, remove the word equity from your plans, websites, and language because if your commitment to equity is true, we will see and experience it through your work. Answer the call.

If you want support, guidance, or facilitation to support you in upholding your commitment, reach out to me and the team at The Spark Mill. We’d love to help you make that change happen.