Inclusivity: A Deeper Dive

Focus on inclusivity

After a year of chaotic upsets of every sort, it’s easy to imagine that a sense of general security feels hard to come by for most. People’s trust in institutions and values that were once considered hallmarks of American identity is eroding at a truly alarming clip, as nearly every one of those institutions and values is actively being attacked or weaponized in some way, more or less constantly. And as we embark on the start of a second Trump presidency, people of all walks of life are left bracing themselves for what’s to come, and questioning what of our society will be left recognizable afterward. 

Generocity’s editorial theme, Social Sustainability, will explore in real time what it might take for community members in the greater Philadelphia area and the Commonwealth to weather divisive tumult and emerge strong, united, and flourishing.

The mark of a sustainable society is that all the communities within – and the natural environment itself – are thriving in a fair and healthy way (i.e. none thriving at the expense of any other). They are inclusive, just, and resilient societies where communities have both individual and collective voice, and governments listen – and respond. We kick off the year with an exploration of the first of those pillars, inclusivity.

What is inclusivity?

This word comes up a great deal these days, particularly in tandem with equity, or used interchangeably with inclusion (while inclusion is, of course, the act or practice of including people, especially those who face social barriers and might otherwise be marginalized; we can think of inclusivity as the culture, policies, and commitments that promote and support inclusion as a fundamental value). 

Committing to inclusivity really just means intentionally creating a welcoming and life-sustaining environment, an equal opportunity to thrive, and accessible pathways for all individuals – without exception — to be able to fully contribute to and participate in society: freedom from incarceration, pursuit of an education, uncontested guarantee of sexual liberty, growth with no external constraints on the limit of potential, the promise of a stable and safe home, et cetera. 

Inclusivity in access to opportunities has reverberating long-term effects… not just on an individual, but on families and entire communities as well.

Making an inclusive society

The things that determine whether a society is inclusive are always going to be people-centered and intentional. Designing an environment so that all the parts serve the people in it at the highest possible level means that successful inclusive societies aren’t necessarily achieved by applying a formulaic standard – the design of the environment is bespoke to the unique needs of the people living there… and that’s the point.

While the specific expression of inclusion will of course vary depending on those needs, in general inclusivity will always aim to: foster a sense of belonging where everyone feels not just accepted, but valued, regardless of their background, characteristics, abilities, or circumstances; embrace diversity by recognizing and celebrating every individual’s unique contributions; promote equality by giving all individuals the same opportunities to access the same resources; honestly name – and then eradicate or mitigate – the barriers that hinder that access; and inspire participation and a sense of belonging in society. 

Inclusivity can be expressed as part of a community’s set of values, codified into policy by a government office, or otherwise demonstrated at any other level in between. Community inclusivity, for example, would focus largely on neighbors supporting neighbors to improve outcomes for the community at large, like providing childcare to working parents in the neighborhood or meals and human interaction to sick or elderly individuals confined to their homes, or volunteering to translate critical, timely information to non-English speaking relatives and neighbors to make accurate news accessible during times when it is needed the most.

When the commitment to inclusivity directly shapes policy in the private or government sectors, it shows up more often than not as a bulwark against institutional discrimination, whether that discrimination is intentional or inadvertent. For example, if public buildings were not mandated to have ramps for access, only people who can climb the steps to enter would get to use the space, which is obviously unfair and unhelpful. For another, timelier example, the recently struck down policy on affirmative action had been established in the first place to offset the fully embedded racist hiring and admissions practices that long excluded Black people and people of color from holding or pursuing prestigious professional or academic roles. The same racist practices that affirmative action aimed to hedge could once again become the norm without inclusivity explicitly written into policy.

In its way, the existence of the philanthropy sector is a very good example of inclusivity. Organizations and foundations can cover the inevitable gaps between private funding and government support for inclusive programs. Very often, a commitment to inclusivity is already an established core tenet of most nonprofit organizations’ operating principles and aligns very much as a shared value. 

Inclusivity in Philly

However it looks, the driving motivation of inclusivity is always the same – essentially to amplify equity, justice, and harmony, supporting and promoting positive outcomes for individuals in service of the well-being of society at large. 

People in Philadelphia are no strangers to taking care of one another; however, the city continues to grapple with a fraught history of harm to many of its communities. What would Philadelphia look like as an inclusive society? Are there any obstacles keeping us from getting there and how are we addressing them? The potential positive impact of inclusivity efforts in Philadelphia could be dampened by the city’s legacy of prejudice and discrimination, which stands in direct opposition to the collective thriving aims of inclusivity. 

At Generocity, we’ll hold the truth of that legacy as we ask what leaders and institutions are doing – or need to do – to ensure that communities have total access to opportunities to participate fully in markets, services, technology, and other aspects of society, and to flourish without restriction.

Stay tuned and Happy New Year,

Dio