Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream: Is it still a Dream or will DEI make it a nightmare
The devolution of DEI
We should all be familiar with Martin Luther King Jr. He was a prominent civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting against racial injustice and promoting equality for all. As a young preacher, he was thrust into the limelight and the forefront of the civil rights movement. He was a gifted orator and his famous "I Have a Dream" speech stands out in history as a siren call to humanity to strive for a better world.
Delivered in 1963 during the March on Washington, MLK Jr. outlined his vision of a future where individuals would be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. King's dream of a racially harmonious and equitable society has inspired generations of activists and policymakers. However, as we examine the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in contemporary society, we must ask ourselves whether King's dream remains a distant aspiration or have we made substantial progress toward fulfilment of his dream. We must also consider how DEI initiatives impact this dream.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream was rooted in the struggle for civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s, a period marked by widespread racial segregation, discrimination, and overt systemic racism in the United States. King's vision was multifaceted: he called for an end to racial segregation, demanding voting rights for African Americans, and economic justice. His dream embodied the idea that all individuals, regardless of their race, should have equal access to opportunities and be treated with dignity and respect.
Since Martin Luther King Jr.'s era, noteworthy progress has been made in addressing racial inequality and discrimination. Key milestones include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans. These legislative victories marked crucial steps towards achieving King's vision of a more just and equitable society. Additionally, society has made substantial strides in improving racial representation and diversity in various sectors, including politics, business, education, and the arts. African Americans and other minority groups, currently classified as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour or BIPOC, have achieved prominent positions in government, corporate boardrooms, and cultural institutions. These achievements reflect a shift towards greater inclusion and representation, aligning with King's dream of a more racially harmonious society. However, it is important to recognize that while progress has been made, racial disparities and discrimination persist in various forms. Disparities in income, education, healthcare, and criminal justice continue to disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. Discriminatory practices and attitudes persist, albeit often in subtler and less overt forms, and systemic racism remains a pervasive issue.
A DREAM
I have a dream; it is still yet a dream
You may think it a bit extreme
In that dream we are all equal
In that place, no racial upheaval
Black and White living together
No one greater, no one lesser
Is it possible this dream of mine?
Will I see it in my lifetime?
How many generations will we need
For us to see that dream succeed?
A time we say "At last, at last!
The pastor's dream has come to pass!"
Working together, this dream to build
That's how the dream will be fulfilledDiversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have gained prominence in recent years to address historical and contemporary racial disparities and promote a more inclusive society. These initiatives seek to create environments where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive and live in a society where their contributions are valued. While DEI initiatives hold promise, it is important to critically examine their impact on Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. DEI initiatives have led to increased diversity in many organizations, including businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies. Companies have made efforts to hire more employees from underrepresented backgrounds, and universities have diversified their student populations. These efforts align with King's vision of a society where all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal access to opportunities.
While diversity has improved, achieving equity – ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources – remains a challenge. Disparities in income, education, and healthcare persist, indicating that King's dream of economic justice has not been fully realized. DEI initiatives must go beyond representation and address systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality. Inclusion, the third pillar of DEI, focuses on creating environments where individuals feel valued and included. This aspect of DEI is crucial for realizing King's dream, as it emphasizes treating people based on the content of their character rather than their background. However, achieving true inclusion involves addressing unconscious biases and discriminatory practices, which can be difficult to eradicate completely.
One concern regarding DEI initiatives is the potential for tokenism, where individuals from underrepresented groups are included solely to meet diversity quotas, without genuine efforts to create an inclusive and equitable environment. Tokenism can undermine King's dream by perpetuating the idea that diversity is only a superficial checkbox rather than a genuine commitment to justice.
Tokensim is defined as:
1) The policy of making only a perfunctory effort or symbolic gesture toward the accomplishment of a goal, such as racial integration.
2) The practice of hiring or appointing a token number of people from underrepresented groups to deflect criticism or comply with affirmative action rules.
3) A policy of formally complying with efforts to achieve a goal by making small, token gestures; especially to hire a minimal number of ethnically diverse or disadvantaged people.
Currently BIPOC communities are seen as the “underrepresented groups” in North America. However, as we move along the DEI continuum a difficult consideration raises its head. What happens when BIPOC are no longer underrepresented? What happens when the group that is now a majority becomes a minority? In plain language, what happens when White folk become underrepresented on college campuses, in the workforce and in politics? Although this might take some time to happen, we must consider the implications as this is inevitable. Many White people are fearful of this. They feel that if this were to happen, they might be treated the same way BIPOC communities were in the past. Are they right? Put another way - are current DEI initiatives mature enough to recognize that DEI must truly be about attaining Diversity without partiality, Equity without prejudice and Inclusivity without favouritism?
While it is important to give BIPOC communities the space and freedom to talk about DEI and what it may mean to them, for real diversity, equity, and inclusion to happen it must involve everyone.
Consultations CANNOT happen in the vacuum of ONLY our voices. For BIPOC communities to ensure that if they were to ever become the majority everyone – no matter their race or colour – will be treated equally then we must begin by not demonizing any one race and by ensuring that we listen to everyone’s voices and their concerns. This is going to be exceedingly difficult to do; but the principles of DEI demand it. Doing it any other way is only paying lip service and checking boxes.
DEI BROUGHT TO LIFE Diversity Equity and Inclusion Words that should form Humanity’s constitution We would be all the better for Such a world There where freedom’s flag Flies unfurled But these things belong to everyone Diversity Equity and Inclusion No matter race or colour of skin You are valued because of What’s within A place where no person Is demonized Where neither Black nor White Is penalized There is no racial retribution When we speak about Diversity Equity and Inclusion
MLK Jr.'s dream of a racially harmonious and equitable society remains an aspiration that continues to inspire social and political movements. While considerable progress has been made in addressing racial inequality and discrimination since King's time, challenges persist. DEI initiatives have played a crucial role in advancing diversity and equity and inclusion, aligning with King's vision. Ultimately, achieving King's dream requires ongoing commitment to addressing systemic racism, promoting economic justice, and creating inclusive and equitable environments for everyone. DEI initiatives can be a valuable tool in this endeavor, but they must be implemented and sustained with a genuine commitment to justice and equality for everyone.
Bio: Brian Sankarsingh is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who moved to Canada in the 1980s. He describes himself as an accidental poet, with a passion for advocacy and a penchant for prose, an unapologetic style, he offers his poetry as social and political commentary.
