By Zahra Nikooaghideh
Graphic By Maya Uribe
Today while working on a CI project with my manager, we went over a topic that I have been thinking about for so long: the hot topic of today’s world “INCLUSION”.
The world has started to use the words inclusion, equity, equality, diversity, justice and so many other synonyms in almost any possible context, making it impossible to not notice this trend which is seen anywhere and everywhere. The majority of corporations have dedicated some resources to showcase the existence of inclusion in their culture. Educational institutions have been focusing on it and trying to create an environment that is inclusive for everyone and equitable regardless of age, gender or race.
But let’s take a second and reflect on all these moves and actions, have they all increased inclusion? Has creating a center for each race brought us together? Have all these movements concerning justice resulted in a fair world?
Unapologetically, I would say strongly that they have not! If anything I believe they have been making such great progress towards the exact opposite direction and increased division. My purpose is not to undermine the outstanding efforts that people have been making for so long, the purpose is not to stop using these words, the purpose is to clarify whether these words are being used to actually make a difference or just to gain more profit.
It is almost like this has been a trend throughout history, a trend to ignore a race, gender or nationality. Any specific group of people for a specific period and then create all these movements to pay attention to them and try to erase the harm meanwhile initiating the ignorance to the other group in the line!
I am the furthest point from being an activist, historian, scientist, highly educated person or whatever that would make my words valuable. I am just stating what I have seen, experienced and felt to my bones throughout my life which was nothing but injustice. My heart is with all the people who are suffering from injustice of any kind because I have experienced the pain, and still live with it.
On Sep. 2022 in Iran, during the “Women, Life, Freedom Movement” protest movement, I saw people getting killed and shot in front of my eyes while peacefully fighting for justice, and I saw that the world had no care, yet I have never tried to undermine others fights for justice and solely highlight mine and my people’s. Opposite, I always fought for justice for everyone even throughout the days, people were getting killed by our very own government, and the world closed its eyes on us.
I do not go to a center that is for my nationality, race or whatever to experience inclusion. I feel included when I do not have to go to any specific center tied to these labels. I feel included when I do not see people getting divided by being Asian American, Latino, Black, White, Woman, straight, transgender or any other label that society often uses to categorize us.
I feel included when I can walk into a classroom, workplace or community and see people engaging with each other based on their ideas, passions and character. I feel included when I have to choose between a sailing community or hiking. I feel included when a company that is advocating for diversity does not reject job applicants because of their race instead of their expertise. I feel included when I can get to a center and just practice the art of being human!
All of these have caused division, how can I understand the pain of a person from a different background while they are in their designated place and I am in mine, each focusing on our own problem? Although these categories were initially created to support us; in reality, they kept us apart from each other and made empathy and compassion rare.
I can not and do not want to change the world, I wish I could though! I just want to light a spark and ask all of us to think twice before using these terms. I want us to go beyond the surface-level actions and more toward genuine understanding. I want us to take actions that transcend labels and focus on our shared humanity. I want us to practice being next to each other because we are different not necessarily similar.
I continue to value people based on their interests, skills, behaviors, hobbies, expertise and passion, rather than their fortuitous identity. We do not have to like everyone; we just have to practice coexistence. Life would never be this amazing without all these differences!
