Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Terms we often hear and are responsible for understanding. While DEI is at the forefront of news outlets, social media, and society, it is important to understand that this topic is not a trend but rather a long overdue and ongoing movement.
Despite the constraints that COVID-19 has put on our society, there are many impactful ways that you can further your DEI journey and make a difference.
REGISTER TO VOTE Voting is one way to be civically engaged. Make sure your voter registration is up to date so you can participate in elections, beyond the Presidential Elections. There are local elections like County Legislature, City Council, and School Board Elections. Local elections can be lost or won by one vote. Use your voice to elect people that will work to improve your community by fighting against injustice and systemic racism.
WATCH, LISTEN, AND READ One of the most important steps in equity work is the willingness to become your own teacher. You must become responsible for your own learning, explore the perspectives points of view of others, researching the history, and accepting the implicit bias we all carry.
- The Unequal Opportunity Race
- NPR History of Redlining
- BCLT Youth Story Corp Documentary: Housing Is a Human Right
- Support a local Civil Rights Organization
- Join Broome-Tioga NAACP
- Donate to United Way of Broome County, and designate your donation to equity-focused projects and programs
- Join Citizen Action
- United Way of Broome County’s Emerging Leaders Society Round Table Discussion Series
COMPLETE THE HARVARD LAW IMPLICIT BIAS TEST Biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, and these biases stem from one’s tendency to organize social worlds by categorizing.
HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH A LOCAL LEGISLATOR Find your legislator and then click the websites to locate your legislator’s local office, where you can express your questions or concerns about their stance and past actions regarding equity.
COMPLETE AN ANTI-RACISM TRAINING