DIVERSITY AND EQUITY; HOW TO LEAD THE CHANGE WE NEED As we approach this new year hopefully, we have all taken a moment to reflect on the many things that have brought us to this point in time and thought about the steps we can take to move forward in the most positive manner possible to affect change. As swim school owners, instructors and water safety advocates, we always push the importance of swim lessons, learning to swim and safety in and around the water as well we should. So, what can we do to lead the change within our swim community? Over the last few years most have been witness to the many challenges surrounding the topic of diversity, race and equity, but for people like me, it’s been a topic of discussion for all of my life. As a black woman who is married to a Caucasian Jewish man and raising 2 biracial young men during the current climate, the major topic of discussion in our family continues to center around race, diversity and equity. There are a lot of people that have very strong opinions surrounding these topics, some don’t want to talk about them, some are tired of talking about them, and quite honestly many simply don’t know how to start talking about the matter. So, how do we start the conversations that will allow us to begin to open ourselves to understanding one another, our differences and similarities?
BY SHANNON SCHAFER OWNER/DIRECTOR INCLUSION SPORTS PERFORMANCE TRAINING
• Do we truly understand what diversity and equity means • Are we able to recognize the issues and problems • Can we Acknowledge the issues and problems • How do we commit to starting the dialogue • How do we work together to embrace our communities of color • How do we join forces to support productive solutions Continued on next page... USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 13
