Text Selection Criteria

The flow of topics begins with recognition and appreciation that being different and unique is beautiful and good but may not always manifest clearly in reality, so, an analysis of how some individuals experience injustices due to their being different from the majority is conducted. Finally, we focus on how individual transformation can lead to helping others to also be more appreciative and supportive of people who are different without judgment and discrimination. The key topics below are arranged according to the framework of Awareness-Analysis-Action that aids in raising consciousness towards social transformation (adapted from Leadership for Educational Equity, n.d.). This specific framework serves as a guide in the critical analysis of the concepts of diversity and inclusion through the study of the experiences of individuals who are different and marginalized as an outcome of oppression.

UNBOXING: Discovering the Real Meaning of Different and Unique, and Celebrating Uniqueness

This topic is proposed as the primary topic since to be able to appreciate diversity, one must start with a personality strength and reflection on “who am I?” and what makes one unique. This is to raise awareness of the strengths, and other unique and outstanding qualities of select individuals whose sector or community have experienced exclusion due to their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, as well as other unique qualities and conditions that are deemed intolerable to the majority. The focus will be on their observable strengths and capabilities that are reflected in the stories. Other inputs will be provided in the context of their human rights as defined by faith (moral basis) or by law (legal basis). This also covers their dreams, aspirations, and ambitions. This discusses the future as defined by SDG but focuses on the outcome of justice, equality, and equity.

PROBING: Discovering Reasons for Injustices

After understanding the unique characteristics of the individuals and the community they represent, the topic shall focus on their different experiences of exclusion that shall serve as an eye-opener for learners that undignified crimes against humanity exist and happen because of seeing others as different rather than seeing them as unique. This is to raise awareness of how people perceive marginalized groups and the sufferings they experience. This dwells on the beliefs the majority groups have about the minority groups reflected on individual acts of discrimination that eventually evolves to a systemic discrimination (National Museum of African American History and Culture, n.d.)

COMING TOGETHER: Building Links through Cultural Sensitivity

Finally, after gaining awareness of causes and roots of injustices, oppression and systemic discrimination, learners must be given opportunities to explore and find variety of ways to achieve equity by practicing cultural sensitivity, hence embracing the diversity leading to inclusivity. This can also be about the solutions and how individual change can happen to create a harmonious society.