Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

These words that are used a lot these days, but have fast became misnomers: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and let’s not forget “tolerance.”

They have become the battle-cry of left-leaning people and organizations throughout America, and in fact are used to belittle anyone who doesn’t agree with their meaning of the words.

Those three words – rather, the re-definition of them – have caused people to lose their jobs, teachers and professors to be fired, and politicians to be vilified.

Perhaps the worst mis-use is Inclusion, and it’s various derivatives:  Inclusivity, inclusiveness, all-inclusive, etc. They sound nice and seem chock full of good intentions, if only they were used in their true meaning, and not used in a politically correct way.

Being politically correct, though rarely used as the excuse (“everyone does it”) (and sometimes perhaps not even recognized as that), people, committees, boards, and organizations throw out rules and policies that are so far removed from the true definitions of these words the lack of common sense is astounding.

Madison West High School in Madison, WI, fired a black security guard of 11 years because he asked students not to call him the n-word. He wasn’t using it in the derogatory way (as students were in taunting him) but he was asking them not to call him that. The assistant principal, Jennifer Talarczyk, was actually present at the incident, but rather than reprimanding the students (as other teachers and staff did in the past), she reported the security guard for using racial slurs and the school board fired him!!

The principal Karen Boran said “context doesn’t matter” and they have a “zero tolerance” for racial slurs.

The only thing inclusive here is their concept of a word that is deemed unforgivable if it is spoken out loud, not matter what or how it is used, regardless the context. In other words, it’s the epitome of censorship. In this light, there are some pretty well-known works of literature that must be banned because it contains the n-word, historical merit and understanding being spurned and ignored because now it’s the thing to do.

Political Correctness at it’s finest.

Another thing about all this is people judging other people. When we compare ourselves to other people we run the risk of becoming judgmental, and often do. All of our personal values become dulled when we start believing that we are either better than someone else or someone else is better than us.

And often it may be true: There is always – always – someone smarter, taller, shorter, tougher, better-looking, thinner, nicer, meaner, etc., etc., than we are, and we make it either a plus or a minus about our self.  It’s human nature.

The Bible says “judge not that you be not judged.” Then, “in the way that you judge others is the same way you will be judged.” (Matthew 7)

Judging others happens so easily. You can say “that was a stupid thing to do!” or you can say “oh, you probably shouldn’t have done that.” See the difference? It takes a LOT of discernment to not judge!

And – pay attention – context matters! If the someone is your best friend or sibling, you can say “you big dummy, that was a stupid thing to do!” Some things you can point out to people you love and not be judgmental, because you care for them.

Try to care for all people. (Inclusion)

We’re all in this together. (Equity and diversity)

Be content with what you have, and more importantly, be content with who you are. If you’re not content with who you are, who you have become, Jesus Christ can change you, and you don’t have to change anything before you ask Him. He’ll welcome you with all your baggage, your problems, your cares, your worries, whatever; you don’t have anything He can’t handle.

He said “You who are weary and heavy-laden, come to Me, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus didn’t say come to Me happy, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, content, satisfied, and joyful, He said you who are mind-numbing, back-aching, muscle-hurting, head-aching, heart-broke, soul-sick weary, and are burdened, weighed-down, over-whelmed, heart-sinking, stomach-knotting, hopeless, no-end-in-sight, worried— come to Me, and I will give you rest.

And He will give you rest. Not just sleep, not just some R&R, not just quiet time away from the demands on your life, not a temporary vacation to unwind. He means a supernatural, spirit-lifting, soul-healing, mind-freeing, everlasting presence of His Spirit (the Holy Spirit) who can and will give you peace that passes all understanding in the midst of the worst day of your life.

All you need do is ask.