This presentation will explore the causes of institutional racial inequities and provide ideas for taking action to promote systemic change to address these inequities. 

Most Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work focuses on training people out of bad habits (implicit biases, stereotypes, fragility, unexamined privilege, etc.). Some DEI work adds to this individual focus by examining institutional policies and practices that get in the way of more equitable and inclusive work environments. But very few DEI efforts tackle the “fourth p”—the paradigm (or broader worldview or frame)—which tends to keep institutions from progressing on the road to equity. 

By paradigm, Tim is referring to the overarching worldview of individualism and meritocracy, which leads most of us to assume existing power structures are basically valid, thereby undermining the logic of targeted efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. To sustain such efforts, Tim will address how to critically assess the weaknesses of this paradigm and develop a broader understanding of the social dynamics and systems of privilege keeping us from becoming a more equitable society. This session will help participants gain that understanding.