Diversity
LET’S GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING…
I remember sitting in Steve Yangs house when we were finalizing The Giving Gifts core values. The word diversity was being tossed around and we were reluctant to add this as a core value for how often this word is used without a ton of clarity on what it actually means.
SO WHAT IS DIVERSITY REALLY
Diversity is a term that refers to the variety of different perspectives represented. I think for a lot of us when we hear the word “diversity” we automatically think race or social justice, and YES those are absolutely facets of a larger conversation.
Diversity represents a broad range of experiences, including gender, sex, socioeconomic background, upbringing, religion, education, sexual orientation, ethnicity, neurodiversity, and life experience. Diversity creates space for people who may not fit in or belong anywhere else.
DIVERSITY LEADS TO INCLUSIVITY
When I imagine the type of impact I would like to see The Giving Gifts have in this weird world, it is one that creates connection and inclusivity. Inclusivity would be the outcome of diversity, challenging the idea that different means inferior, creating space in this world for each unique gift.
LET’S GET A LITTLE PERSONAL
I was raised in a single-parent household, daughter to two poker players who were never legally married, our family had always been considered low income and witnessed the benefits and downfalls of many systems. I received speech & reading therapy, was diagnosed with a handful of learning disabilities, and carried a long record of behavioral “issues”. I share this because growing up I honestly did not really see much difference between me and the people I was surrounded by but felt such an extreme lack of inclusivity. Partially because there really was never any leaders that were representing the perspective I would carry and partially because every environment I found myself in was quick to point out why I did not really belong. Connection, security, and value were never found in any system or church I experienced and I experienced ALOT of them!
Over the last 10 years, I found myself seeking connection and committing a lot of my life to a church community that I believed had a desire to create a space for all people. It took ten years to realize I was wrong about this community. Ten years and a whole lot of challenges, being disappointed with neglectful leadership and questioning God to realize that this community I had been trying to fit into so desperately is not actually meant for me or for really anyone different than the “top leaders” themselves and those who fit into the image of the people they find valuable. If a community does not reflect ALL creation then it is not a reflection of a diverse creator, it is a reflection of small. limiting, exclusive, belief system that leaves a whole lot of this world out.
It’s been almost a whole year, since moving to a different country and finding my place in a new community of people all the while stepping into a new role of leadership through The Giving Gifts. It was in the breaking down of walls and belief systems that told me “I don’t really belong” that has allowed me to be open to the possibility of a more diverse and inclusive community of humans. I have always known that I want to be a person who shares voice, experience, and story (ESPECIALLY for those who are not currently being heard over some really loud and dominant voices), and for the very first time in my life, I understand how important voice, experience, and story really are, mine included. I have never been more committed to diversity than I am today, for the sake of unity, care, love, and a reflection of a diverse creator.
Your voice, experience, and story matter. My voice, experience, and story matter. There is space and belonging for all perspectives…& that is The Giving Gifts.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
I want you to consider how you feel when you read this email. Consider what you agree with, what you disagree with, what stands out to you, and what you might even want to ignore.
Let that sink in for just a minute.
Ask yourself an honest question…what are your values and is diversity one of them?
I think this is an important question. Just because diversity is one of The Giving Gifts’ core values does not mean it needs to be one of yours.
Talking about values is super important when it comes to navigating your gift in this world. In fact it is a really incredible starting place if you’re wondering what your gift is. Take a few minutes this week to identify your core values and share them with someone. Feel free to reply to this email and share them with me if you’d like!
If The Giving Gifts is going to be a movement of diversity then ALL values have a place & purpose….unless you value mayonnaise, there is no place for that gross crap…just kidding…kinda! :)