Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Civility
Posted on Oct. 29, 2021 / Diversity & Inclusion / Subscribe 0
By Olivia Cadrecha, University of Tampa PRSSA Chapter
Professional civility is heavily tied to communications, a PR person’s role, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). We must use our collective insight and expertise to reduce incivility and restore quality, integrity and inclusiveness to public discourse. That was the focus of PRSA’s October program: “Let’s be Civil”. PRSA Tampa Bay members and guests heard from three panelists who represented unique perspectives – emerging leader, media and business – on the topic.
The three panelists, Fatima Elkott President of USF’s Student Planning Organization; Divya Kumar, Tampa Bay Times Higher Education and Non-Profit Reporter; and Shayla O’Keeffe, Global Program Manager, DE&I at Jabil discussed the connection between civility and DE&I as well as the communicator’s role in bridging division.
Jon Goldberg, Co-Chair of the PRSA Civility Task Force, created thought provoking questions surrounding the transitional climate upon us as well as what communicators can do to create more civility through DE&I. PRSA Tampa Bay D&I committee member Bo Breuklander acted as moderator for the event.
Discussion about DE&I ranged from cancel culture to authenticity. The panelists agreed that when DE&I is approached organically and authentically it spills over from our professional initiatives and into our personal lives.
“It is important to recognize that we are all at various stages of learning and understanding what this [DE&I] all looks like,” Kumar said.
Panelists also discussed cancel culture, loosely defined as withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures or companies after they have done something deemed offensive, and how this may threaten genuine conversations with others. When speaking about using the most correct language and word choice, O’Keeffe offered some advice, “In the corporate setting, I lean on a diverse network of peers to help me review material for the most inclusive language from their perspective. I encourage everyone to find ‘their group’ both in and out of work and build your own diverse circle of trust – people who are nothing like you in as many ways as possible.”
When asked about one thing that could be done to increase civility, Elkott responded, "Do the best that you can to embrace diversity and equity, be empathetic and inclusive and you’ll have civility in your communications.”
For more information on the topic of civility, visit the Public Relation Society of America’s (PRSA) Civility page: Start by reading PRSA’s Civility Task Force White Paper on Modeling Civility and then explore how you can take action to model civility and improve civil discourse. and then explore how you can take action to model civility and improve civil discourse.
Photo Credit: PRSA’s Civility Task Force White Paper on Modeling Civility
0 Comments