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I n c i t e /I ns i ght
Board Perspective
W i n te r 201 8
Representation and Advocacy through
EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) -
Forward Momentum
C
ommunity possesses a complexity
in any manner of the application,
particularly when applied to a
national organization. While our
varied educational interests and arts
vocations brought us together for the Divisions-
Collisions-Coalitions American Alliance for Theater
& Education (AATE) 2017 National Conference, the
wide-ranging experiences that led each of us to
New Orleans challenged the notion we could build
community in a brief period of space and time.
However, that was the mission of the Community
Conversations sessions - how do we build a
network of action and support when faced with
challenges within our own organizations and
regions in our hometowns? How do we honor the
diverse backgrounds, thoughts, needs and identities
and provide a space for those who share similar
identities, while still addressing the shortcomings of
representation and equity that we see in our fields?
The answer was affinity groups, though the
formation of these were not the final outcome.
The first step was to allow a natural creation
of affinity groups happen based on how one
identifies, whether by race, ethnicity, culture, gender,
sexual orientation, faith, physical or neurological
diversity, socio-economics, or diversity of thought.
Our challenge to everyone was to begin the
conversations - how this identity shapes day-to-
day realities back home in the workplace
and neighborhoods.
Once established in these groups, we invited each
to find an intersection with another affinity group.
We asked everyone to engage in difficult, possibly
uncomfortable conversation because we cannot
move towards equity, justice and inclusion if we
continue to use vague and generalized language.
We cannot avoid issues which may be controversial
or difficult to work through and process. We asked
everyone to focus on the verb, not the adjective -
examine the actions that occur in the moment and
not the interpretations of those actions which are
shaped by judgment and perception. In order for
anything positive to emerge, we truly believe one
must invite various views and perspective before
challenging them. As noted by Maya Angelou in her
poem, The Human Family, “We are more alike, my
friend, than we are unlike.”
Finally, we also noted we must embrace failure. Yes,
there are times when one will say something and
words have failed the intent. There are times when
our own ignorance will surface and there needs
to be space for that to happen. We will try and
we will fail, but that cannot stop the work. We ask
students to take risks in theatre - we have to do the
same to make social change that leads to greater
equity for all. We have all experienced moments
where we failed another and through difficult and
uncomfortable conversations, we learned to be
mindful and aware.
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In c it e / In sig h t
Some voiced that our organization
is still perceived by others to
lack representation. Failure is
an opportunity for change. We
acknowledge the task at hand is
complex and, at times, fragile, but
it is also filled with richness and
beauty. We all have a place in this
world and like the many roles we
embody in any given time, we need
to acknowledge when we are to be
the voice and take action and when
we are to listen and be present and
supportive to those who take the
mantle of leadership and action.
AATE is no different. For a moment,
consider how often, as artists and
educators, we lead and follow
so gracefully in our classrooms
working with our students. We find
ourselves in a dance where at any
given moment they take the lead
and vice versa and when we allow
another to cut in. In order for AATE to
represent who we truly are, we need
to acknowledge when it is time to
lead, time to follow, and time to let
another cut in.
Upon returning from the conference,
each of us were asked to allow these
dialogues regarding identity and
intersections to inform the work each
performs, whether artist, educator
or administrator. Ultimately, each
of us needed to mindfully take
steps to ensure our work helped
support greater diversity