Beyond diversity, inclusion, and belonging

Abstract

Diversity, inclusion, and belonging have a symbiotic but a complicated relationship in America. The foundation of this complication is due in part to the social order in which whites are the dominant group in every major sector of society while nonwhites, particularly African Americans, are at the bottom. This social order is also mirrored in organizational structures in which whites, in positions of leadership, project their culture of dominance within the organization. This has a profound effect on nonwhites, especially upon African Americans within the structure, who may feel that they must be inauthentic while associated with the organization and/or entity to survive. This study explores these dynamics by critically interrogating how leadership plays a role not only in organizations and institutions, but also in politics, activism, and society at large. What is gleaned from this analysis is that diversity, inclusion, and belonging will not require an undertaking of special programs and initiatives if white people and organizations transform their ideology on the function of nonwhites, in particular in the context of this study of African Americans, in society at large as well as within organizations.