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Reconstructing Inclusion S2E9: 'Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back': Howard Ross on DEI's Historical Resilience
Manage episode 476433322 series 3441699
In this episode, Howard Ross draws on four decades of DEI experience to offer wisdom in today's polarized climate. Howard, who brought me into the DEI field years ago, discusses how today's backlash fits into historical patterns and provides strategic guidance for practitioners navigating political headwinds.
Key Discussion Points:
- The shift from a "bell curve society" to a "dumbbell curve society"
- Distinguishing between performative, symbolic, and transformational DEI work
- Why activism and organizational change require different skillsets
- Strategic approaches to continuing inclusion work in challenging environments
- Finding hope in historical patterns of social progress
- Seeing humanity across political divides
🔥 Standout Quote:
"We've gone from a Bell curve society where most people are kind of in the middle... to a dumbbell curve society where everything's on the end and nothing's in the middle. And the notion of working with somebody across the aisle is considered pretty much by both sides to be betrayal." - Howard Ross
About Our Guest:
Howard Ross is a lifelong social justice advocate and pioneer in the field of DEI work. As founder of Cook Ross and author of influential books including "Everyday Bias," "ReInventing Diversity," and "Our Search for Belonging," Howard has consulted with hundreds of organizations worldwide. At 74, he describes himself as "rewired not retired" and continues to be an influential voice in the field. Howard is currently working on a third edition of "Everyday Bias" with his son Jake, focusing on how AI and social media are influenced by bias.
Resources Mentioned:
IDEAS Generation - An organization for younger DEI practitioners co-founded by Dan Egol, a former Cook Ross employee.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin - Mentioned by Howard as a transformative book that changed his worldview when he read it in 1966.
Time Stamps:
[00:04:00] - Howard's background in civil rights work and how his family's Holocaust experience shaped him
[00:08:30] - The concept of "dumbbell curve society" and its impact on DEI work
[00:11:45] - The dual nature of DEI backlash: legitimate critique and politically motivated attacks
[00:13:50] - The three levels of DEI work: cosmetic, performative, and symbolic
[00:15:30] - The critical difference between activism and organizational change
[00:33:00] - Thinking strategically versus emotionally about DEI work
[00:39:00] - Finding hope in the historical patterns of progress and retrenchment
[00:44:00] - The importance of seeing humanity in those with different political views
➡️ Subscribe to Reconstructing Inclusion for more unfiltered conversations about the future of DEI.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reconstructinginclusion.substack.com/subscribe
31 قسمت
Manage episode 476433322 series 3441699
In this episode, Howard Ross draws on four decades of DEI experience to offer wisdom in today's polarized climate. Howard, who brought me into the DEI field years ago, discusses how today's backlash fits into historical patterns and provides strategic guidance for practitioners navigating political headwinds.
Key Discussion Points:
- The shift from a "bell curve society" to a "dumbbell curve society"
- Distinguishing between performative, symbolic, and transformational DEI work
- Why activism and organizational change require different skillsets
- Strategic approaches to continuing inclusion work in challenging environments
- Finding hope in historical patterns of social progress
- Seeing humanity across political divides
🔥 Standout Quote:
"We've gone from a Bell curve society where most people are kind of in the middle... to a dumbbell curve society where everything's on the end and nothing's in the middle. And the notion of working with somebody across the aisle is considered pretty much by both sides to be betrayal." - Howard Ross
About Our Guest:
Howard Ross is a lifelong social justice advocate and pioneer in the field of DEI work. As founder of Cook Ross and author of influential books including "Everyday Bias," "ReInventing Diversity," and "Our Search for Belonging," Howard has consulted with hundreds of organizations worldwide. At 74, he describes himself as "rewired not retired" and continues to be an influential voice in the field. Howard is currently working on a third edition of "Everyday Bias" with his son Jake, focusing on how AI and social media are influenced by bias.
Resources Mentioned:
IDEAS Generation - An organization for younger DEI practitioners co-founded by Dan Egol, a former Cook Ross employee.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin - Mentioned by Howard as a transformative book that changed his worldview when he read it in 1966.
Time Stamps:
[00:04:00] - Howard's background in civil rights work and how his family's Holocaust experience shaped him
[00:08:30] - The concept of "dumbbell curve society" and its impact on DEI work
[00:11:45] - The dual nature of DEI backlash: legitimate critique and politically motivated attacks
[00:13:50] - The three levels of DEI work: cosmetic, performative, and symbolic
[00:15:30] - The critical difference between activism and organizational change
[00:33:00] - Thinking strategically versus emotionally about DEI work
[00:39:00] - Finding hope in the historical patterns of progress and retrenchment
[00:44:00] - The importance of seeing humanity in those with different political views
➡️ Subscribe to Reconstructing Inclusion for more unfiltered conversations about the future of DEI.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reconstructinginclusion.substack.com/subscribe
31 قسمت
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1 Reconstructing Inclusion S2E9: 'Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back': Howard Ross on DEI's Historical Resilience 47:37

1 Reconstructing Inclusion S2E8: Escape the Box: The Uncomfortable Truth About Today's DEI Discourse 20:27

1 Reconstructing Inclusion S2E7: Drawing Lines, Creating Distance: Fred Falker on What's Really Dividing Us 57:40


1 Reconstructing Inclusion S2E5: Beyond Lived Experience: The Case for DEI Competency Standards 43:05


1 Reconstructing Inclusion S2E3: Trust as a Skill: Dr. Darryl Stickel on Vulnerability, Leadership, Uncertainty, and Inclusion 37:17


1 Reconstructing Inclusion S2E2: Shifting DEI Perspectives: Ten Recurring Themes Across Podcasts 34:41

1 Reconstructing Inclusion S2E1: Evidence-Based Inclusion: Elevating DEI with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey 48:25

1 Reconstructing Inclusion S1E15: Listening Alchemy: Lessons on Presence, Context, and Connection with Raquel Ark 49:11


1 Reconstructing Inclusion S1E14: Iatrogenesis & Agency: How can DEI practitioners/supporters discern and evolve the current state of practice? 41:36

1 Reconstructing Inclusion S1E13: The Role of DEI in Startups and Scaling Enterprises: Insights from Laura Smith 46:16
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