INCLUSION -- It's a RIGHT...Not A Favor!

When folks are regularly denied or ignored they feel that those who are doing the ignoring and issuing the denials are not honoring their right to participate fully. It is generally accepted that “inclusion” means inviting those who have been historically locked out, to come in. The problem with this premise is that it assumes that – someone has the “authority” to invite others or conversely someone has abused their authority by excluding others.

It is time WE all recognize one central truth about inclusion. We are ALL born IN! No one or nothing has the authority, right or privilege to invite others in! It is OUR civic responsibility to remove all barriers, which uphold exclusion and/or divisive constructs.

Inclusion is about recognizing our universal “oneness” and interdependence. We are “ONE” even though we are not the “SAME”.

Fighting for inclusion involves assuring that all support systems, processes, procedures and paradigms in no way hamper the involvement and full engagement of any one group or individual. Providing for and sustaining support systems of inclusion are a civic responsibility – not a favor!

Our society, our families, our community, and our schools will immediately improve when we honor this truth!

*Tootles*

For more information about INCLUSION log onto: Inclusion Network

Reference: Research for this post was retrieved from What is Inclusion? by Shafik Asante