CRT, The Pandemic, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Why in the world would I want to include the Pandemic with CRT and DEI?  Seemingly, since the pandemic, DE&I as well as CRT has been on the rise.  People want to find out about CRT. To an extent, the term “critical race theory” is now cited as the basis of all diversity and inclusion efforts regardless of how much it’s actually informed those programs.   

Organizations want to make sure their teams are well trained in the area of DE&I. But, what about CRT?

Moving right along, did the pandemic scare organizations and people in general that they need to wake up, make up and get this world straight?  I'm not so sure.  

Here again, I am discussing a topic such as CRT that I am not well versed in at this time.  DE&I is a given for me however.  I have trained on this topic for years.  AND, I love it!  Knowing the difference between DE& I, is that Diversity is inviting individuals to the dance, Equity is making sure everyone has a decent pair of shoes to dance in, and Inclusion making sure they dance.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is just that a theory to me--discussing among other things systemic racism.  I've heard that CRT puts an emphasis on outcomes, not merely on individuals’ own beliefs.  Not sure if this is really true or not either.

As I train on DE & I and think about the pandemic and how this topic still matters.  This topic is high on any CEOs agenda since economic pressures may make it harder for businesses to maintain their focus on and investment in DE& I, but not so much within the CRT arena.

Skipping around a little, the pandemic has been quite a challenge even more so than the global financial crisis.  The lock-downs, lack clarity about when and how the crisis will end contribute to increased anxiety and uncertainty for management teams and employees alike. Furthermore, the pandemic’s burdens have fallen unevenly.  This is an offshoot of sorts of the CRT called Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP), that originated in the field of law, which was developed for the purposes of conducting anti-racism health equity research.  Yes, for sure, I can make more sense of CRT now. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion? Conducting of anti-racism health equity research?  The pandemic?  I can see clearly now!  After reading articles, listening to MSNBC, CNN and other channels and knowing that most folk that lack healthcare and are not seen at the hospitals and ERs as much, are people of color; this is a certainty.  Is this CRT?  Yes, possibly!  Is it part of the highlights of the pandemic?  For sure!  Can this be marked within the lines of DE & I?  Most definitely!

But, here's what I know for sure -- People—white or nonwhite—who don’t intend to be racist can nevertheless make choices that fuel racism.

September is my birth month, and every September I tell people what I want for my birthday.  Here's what I want for my birthday--it's for YOU and YOU, and YOU to be the Change in order to bridge the gap between all nationalities.  Can you give me that present for my birthday??