Societal Fault Lines
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed societal “fault lines” that may take decades to repair. The fault lines are many: climate change, environmental justice, healthcare, manufacturing capacity, national leadership, economic disparity—the list goes on. Of course, we are also in an election year! This virus shows us where we are weak.
When these fault lines crack open on the massive level now occurring, contraction is a natural response. However, we want to be mindful of any urge to shut out that which is good, even in this challenging moment. For instance, we want to reach out to neighbors, family, and friends, not isolate ourselves in our homes (at least not virtually); we want to be mindful of judgments we make of others and ourselves when we are distressed. For many, contraction is a necessity, not an option. Even in a justifiably contracted state, there is room for expansion.
For LWV-PA, expansion could mean using this time to explore the fault lines within our League. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) can serve as a nexus for this discussion and potentially lead this League into the twenty-first century. But—just like sheltering in place—to make it work, everyone has to do it!
Let’s take this global pause as an opportunity to reconsider: Who’s involved currently and whom are we missing? How can we utilize technology (video conferencing, social media) to spread our services more broadly while also allowing more people—and younger people—to get involved on their own terms? How, if at all, do we address economic disparity within the League?
A strong DEI initiative engages the whole League in tackling these types of issues. How does your committee incorporate DEI into every gathering? What would support you in advancing DEI if you are not doing so already? Who on your committee has an interest in this initiative? Any success stories or great ideas? Let’s keep sharing with one another how we want to be in action around DEI.
As this virus demonstrates, it’s no longer business as usual. Expect change. Monitor resistance. Indeed, change may cause some pain, but it need not cause suffering. As we mend our fault lines we will emerge stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for what lies ahead.
—Jacqui Pinn, Co-chair, DEI Taskforce
