Why Being Nice Isn’t Good Enough Recap
Last week we welcomed the wonderful Mariah Reeves to She Unites for a conversation about Equity and Inclusion. To say that this was a powerful evening is an understatement. Mariah asked the tough question and lead with her passion on this topic. Every voice deserves to be heard. Below are some of the highlights from this incredible night.
“We all contribute to the change that must occur.” - Mariah Reeves
Mariah is an Associate Principal at Wahlert Catholic in Dubuque and has made Equity and Inclusion her top priority. She began her presentation with an intimate look at her life. Growing up with a single mother with not a lot of money, she was statistically supposed to not achieve. Education was going to be what set her up for success and evened the playing field. While Mariah was able to overcome the odds and land in the place she is today, the question was posed as to how we contribute to the change regardless of it is a piece of our story or now? We must add value to the stories that are not heard, every individual’s personal narrative matters and is highly unique.
In Mariah’s advocacy work and starting these conversations, she made special note that this is not a conversation only about race or gender, its is about all the layers of diversity that exist in this world.
”We have to recognize what has been and what is.” - Mariah Reeves
How do we begin to make the change? It starts by educating ourselves. Mariah is a former English teacher turned administrator and came to our gathering with a rich list of resources to challenge your mind and your attitudes towards equity and inclusion. Here are a few of her recommendations.
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Brian Stevenson
This book is the framework for Mariah’s approach to conversations about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Mariah uses this book as her framework for conversations and making changes in the matter of Equity and Inclusion.
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 by Ibram X. Kendi
A rich anthology of the history of African America up to the Black Lives Matter Movement. If you are looking for a detailed read, this is for you.
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
This read offers a deep look at how those who identify as White related to the conversation of racism and otherness. A must-read for anyone who struggles with just beginning the conversation of diversity.
“If we aren’t uncomfortable when we are not on the brink of change.” -Mariah Reeves
Being agents of change is a tough business to be in. But unless we are just past our comfort zones, the change will not occur. Here are the four steps Mariah shared to change the world.
Get Proximate. Lean into spaces and places with suffering and/or an absence of agency; the spaces toward which you would not typically gravitate.
Change the Narrative. Actively listen to the narrative of others to learn existing narratives; then, and only then, can we advocate to change the narrative.
Stay Hopeful. Recognize what has been and what is, then focus on what can be through the elevation of historically silenced voices.
Do Uncomfortable Things. At the edge of our comfort zone is where true transformation takes place. We must lean into uncomfortable situations to challenge ourselves and bolster our advocacy for those who do not have the agency to advocate for themselves.
“The only calibration that counts is how much heart people invest, how much they ignore their fears of being hurt or called out or humiliated. And the only thing people regret is that they didn’t live boldly enough, that they didn’t invest enough heart, didn’t love enough. Nothing else really counts at all.”