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DEIB: Introduction

This resource guide is a living platform to help us grow into an understanding of the many facets of Identity. Being a living and evolving space it will never be complete. Help us grow -- email your suggestions. 

At Interlochen, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work (DEIB) seeks to help community members navigate differences and similarities so that everyone can realize their potential.

  • Diversity refers to the full range of human differences within overarching similarities. These differences can be visible or invisible, mutable or not. Interlochen fosters diversity by ensuring our communities include people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Equity means ensuring everyone has equal access to the opportunities that will help them thrive. Not everyone in a school community will have the exact needs; schools can address equity by understanding the needs of each student and providing the tools or opportunities to support their development. 
  • Inclusion refers to individual and institutional behaviors that show people they are accepted, respected, and valued. Inclusion helps ensure all community members have access to the school's benefits and opportunities. Inclusion is also closely related to belonging.
  • Belonging refers to the emotional and experiential outcome of inclusion. All humans share the need to be taken in, cared for, protected, and valued by a group, community, or organization. Belonging gives people a voice in a community and encourages and enables them to contribute and expect support from it.[2]

Identity Topics

Please check out our new DEIB Resource site in partnership with The Bonisteel Library and the DEIB Student Voice Team. Please note that the first pillar of doing DEIB work is Education. It is important we, as a group, work to educate ourselves so we can continue to create an inclusive community. Suggestions welcome!

Lastly, it is vital to realize the complexity and intersectionality of our community, so please dive into all sections. Below is a list of issues we will address in this Research Guide:

  • Ability               
  • Age
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Socioeconomic Status (Class)
  • Body Image ("lookism")
  • Educational Background
  • Academic/Social Achievement
  • Family of Origin, Family Make Up
  • Geographic/Regional Background
  • Language
  • Learning Style
  • Beliefs (political, social, religious)
  • Globalism/Internationalism/Colonialism
  • Intersectionality
  • ? (there will be more!)

Disclaimer

In an effort at full disclosure, it should be noted that the collaborators in this guide occupy some of the oppressed identities outlined here but not all. This guide has attempted to bring together relevant resources for anti-oppression issues. Still, we are not immune from the limits and hidden biases of our privileges and perspectives as allies.

We welcome any feedback and suggestions for the guide, particularly from the perspectives and experiences of the marginalized groups listed and not listed here.

Any questions—Contact us @ library-help@interlochen.org.
We'll try to get back with you as soon as possible. At most, give us a 12-hour cycle.