I’ve worked in the diversity & belonging space for just over a year now. I still have much to learn, but there’s something I’ve witnessed in this space that continually baffles me [Thread]

To do this work requires constant education in history, social justice, human rights etc. And a deep knowledge of those areas and more. Much the same way a field like engineering requires many years of study, practice and experience.

So what I find fascinating is the way those who often have very little acumen or education in the space come in with the strongest opinions. And then are surprised when the reactions are not positive.

OR they come expecting to be educated in a brief conversation on what probably took someone years of learning or lived experience to understand.

It’s one of the few fields I’ve witnessed where when someone is clearly not understanding something they don’t automatically think “hey I might have a knowledge gap here!”

Take mathematics: I’ve completed basic high school math and never touched it since. Imagine how ridiculous I’d look walking into a room of mathematicians and either telling them they’re solving the problem wrong or asking them to teach me all they know in a single sitting?

That would be absurd. But people seem to accept and expect this of D&B professionals and those with lived experience.

If you are engaging in these spaces & you find you might be missing something, you likely have a knowledge gap. So pause, go do some reading on the topic you’re discussing before reengaging. And don’t be surprised if the mathematicians looked at you strangely/asked you to leave.