Teaching Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Topics – Challenges and Rewards, a Reflection from a Nursing Professor

Abstract

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) concerns gained a resurgence of momentum after Black Lives Matter (BLM) began in July 2013 following the death of Trayvon Martin in the United States. This paper is a reflection of some of the challenges and rewards I experienced in teaching DEI topic matters over the last decade in the midst of horrific social events such as the murder of black youths that invoked BLM, the recovery of the Indigenous children’s remains in residential school sites across Canada, the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and the various racially provoked hate crimes during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the last three to five years, there have been some changes in terms of how I deliver these topics that are noteworthy to share. I hope readers will join me in this ongoing journey to engage toward a more inclusive and just world.