Addressing the Lack of Diversity in Progressive Conversations

Today during the 80 Million Strong Summit for Young American Jobs someone mentioned that we need to remember “the empty chair in the room;” the person/group who, various reasons, is absent from this conversation but who nonetheless has a stake in the conversation.

This scene is all too common.   Our nation’s progressive conversations are usually homogenous.  In fact our facilitator commented that this was the first time in all of the years he had been working on this issue that the percentage of people of color participation was in the double digits.  How can we address the lack of educational, class, race, ability, and sexual orientation diversity?

Go to where they are: Figure out where the communities you want to reach are and meet them there.  For example, if we realize that there are still many communities that don’t use the internet as their sole means of communicating, then why use that as your only form of outreach?   Organizations that serve young people from various backgrounds are plentiful—you just have to find them and meet them where they are.

Get connectors on your team: It’s not enough to just go to people; it helps to have members of that community who know that community well to relay the information.  Connectors not only know tons of people but they get what moves people and what doesn’t—they are the pulse of the community so it helps to find them and explore how you can work together.

Create a welcoming climate: Not everyone views social change in the same way or has the same priorities or values when it comes to a particular issue.  It’s important to have a space for frank discussion, set grounds for inclusion, and build on each other’s ideas.

Learn about groups on your own: While it is important to include various voices, you shouldn’t wait or expect for a member of a particular group to do all of the talking.   Read about and work closely with various groups before and after conversations to inform your own perspective.

If you are going to speak don’t romanticize or pity: Not every group is wallowing in misery, waiting for some magical superhero to rescue them.  Many are working hard on their own to address issues affecting them.  While it is important to address disparities, equally important is resiliency; what techniques are people employing to cope and surpass their surroundings.  Putting strength at the center of the conversation instead of deficiencies ensures a group’s agency is being respected.