Often times when we desire to fully understand something we put it in a box. It is our natural instinct to compartmentalize and categorize to grasp the meaning of a concept.
Are we putting Access in a box?
Are we limiting our thoughts and ideas?
Access=Disability
Disability=Disabled
Disabled=Other
What are the pros and cons to defining a concept and having a set of language we prescribe to that concept?
The pros lie in our ability to have laser focus and to believe in something with our whole being. As individuals we can relate to it and comprehend the path forward. We can find others that believe the same thing and join together.
The cons are that ideas become black and white. It is either this or that. We could be limiting our understanding by choosing one pathway.
Through our desire and need to understand something do we not limit our understanding?
I taught math to middle school students when the imitative and idea of STEM became popular. School leaders thought they found the answer to students not succeeding inside the school framework. If teachers could just get kids to focus on Science-Technology-Engineering-Math they would succeed. Other areas for growth were left behind, like physical education, music, visual arts, social studies and so on. Years later we came up with STEAM adding Art, but we are still seeing things from a limited perspective and not looking at the needs of our students holistically.
In an effort to be a more equitable in arts and culture, we have adopted the DEI (Diversity-Equity-Inclusivity) initiative. This is a crucial step forward and necessary to the success of all of our communities in Denver. I believe in this and want to fight for greater equity, diversity and inclusivity in art world, organizations, and in our local communities.
In our efforts to be inclusive are we inevitably being exclusive?
Access for me means that an individual has the ability to feel comfortable, safe and welcomed into communities and spaces. I am wondering if a laser focus puts our ideas in a box.
–Robin Gallite