Diversity and Inclusion should be more than just buzzwords.

Confession : This essay is the product of a heated conversation with an acquaintance who insisted on using the N-word as long as the other person did not mind. Here is the thing when I am angry. I write. In a notebook of my choice, with a pen. Because the pencil falls short of being able to handle my anger. Well, pen is indeed mightier than the sword right? Ok I shall stop. Just as queen Taylor Swift writes songs about her bad break — ups, I am going to translate angry conversations to my blog.

Diversity & Inclusion and Mental Health are two topics that are on the spotlight literally everywhere so much so that one would think — due to the abundance of resources available and open conversations around these topics, regressive mindsets are no longer there. Think again. We have a long way to go.

You do not talk about D&I and stay misinformed about using the N-word. You do not talk about D&I and give into stereotypes of sexuality of people in certain geographies. You do not talk about D&I and call yourself an ‘equalist’ instead of a ‘feminist’. Period.

There are countless examples available to point out that while diversity and inclusion are a fancy potpourri of words to throw around, there is still ground work to be done in being sensitive about what is important, emotional and personal to a community or an individual.

It involves unlearning what you already know, getting curious about the differences between you and someone else.

One can go on arguing about the “other side of things” how much ever they want, but in a world where having meaningful relationships is already difficult, the least one can do to understand another person is to be kind and sensitive to them.

In my personal experience when learning about the caste systems in India, I remember the feeling of discomfort that I used to have — the feeling where I had to recognise what is privilege and what it means to not have privilege. Then came the unlearning of a million things I thought I already had a good idea of. What facilitated this? Civilized conversations with trusted friends who were kind enough to always give me thoughtful perspectives. If you are reading this, you all know who you all are, and I will forever be grateful for those fruitful conversations. The discomfort one feels when having such conversations is natural, normal and a step towards the right direction.

More often than not we are cocooned in a comfort zone of our own prejudices, micro-aggressions and biases. A challenge to that comfort zone will be perceived by the brain as discomfort, and that is natural.

Will the learning ever stop? I think that in our kaleidoscopic world there would always be something unique and new to be learnt. Get curious, and ready to unlearn what you already know. Also worth mentioning is the occupational hazard that comes as insults like “Dont be a baby!” / “You are too sensitive”/ “But it is actually true that everyone from XYZ region speaks with a weird accent so I can mock them”…. The excuses are never ending.

It gets quite exasperating after a certain point. But in such situations I remember a quote I read in Inferno, which is originally by Dante which goes along the lines of — the darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain neutrality at a time of crisis. If ever there is an avenue to speak up for a community or individual that is being stereotyped and marginalised, speak up. If there is a chance at a civilized discussion, then that is a win in itself.