Exemplar EDI statements. Conceptualized by The Monica…
As I reflect on the request for equity, diversity, and inclusion statements in the application for XXXXX random job, I am struck on how to even begin to approach this request. When I posted to social media how I should attempt to handle this, I was heartened to see that many people agree with my frustration about having to complete this. I attempt to embody serving minoritized people with my work, not just because of my presence, but because of the focus of my research, mentorship programs, and the research that I do across reproductive health, rights, and justice.
At two public institutions I have earned tenure and served in some capacity as the lone Black tenured associate and/or full professor. I often remark that within the professoriate we all have the same title but we do not all have the same job. This is particularly true of people like me who are “ONLYS” in a multitude of ways. I have been frustrated that policies and procedures to move people toward the important work of inclusivity do not pay enough attention to the unintended consequences that result from how these are operationalized. For example, I have been extremely offended and hurt by the workload that I maintain because faculty searches, committees, and other work of the university cannot move forward without appropriate representation. This is a lofty goal, however, how this complicates my life is never considered.
The root of the problem that predicates equity, diversity, and inclusion statements is never addressed — there are not enough Black faculty for the students, staff, nor the university to ensure adequate representation without overextending those who meet specific criteria. As I often explain to colleagues, I am not busy. All faculty members are busy, I’m structurally oversubscribed, meaning there is not enough of me, given I have the same 24 hours as everyone else. Being busy and not managing one’s time well is a personal characteristic that can leave individuals subject to being blamed. Being structurally oversubscribed requires a structural fix and creates an impossible situation where people who are structurally oversubscribed are set up to fail from the beginning.
Therefore, as a very public scholar whose work has been recognized for advancing Black, Indigenous, Latine and other People of Color, I will allow for that public record to represent my contributions.
