Summary of Lets stop talking about diversity and start working towards equity | Paloma Medina | TEDxPortland

00:00:00 - 00:15:00

Paloma Medina argues that we should stop talking about diversity and instead focus on equity. Equity, she explains, is the principle of treating people fairly regardless of their differences. While we have not yet achieved equity in most industries, Medina believes that understanding equity is an important step in moving closer to this goal.

• 00:00:00 In her talk, Paloma Medina argues that we should stop talking about diversity and work towards equity, which is a concept that is better understood by the brain. She explains that when we talk about diversity, our brain is automatically biased in favour of those who are similar to us, which can be a threat to our own survival. Conversely, equity refers to the principle of treating people fairly regardless of their differences. While we have reached neither of these goals in most industries, Medina believes that understanding equity is an important step in moving closer to achieving them.
• 00:05:00 The speaker explains that diversity isn't what our brains need, but equity is. She argues that we talk about diversity because it is a safer word than equity, which implies that we are committed to inclusiveness. She encourages attendees to think about how they can invite more people of color into their workplace, without feeling like they are doing something wrong.
• 00:10:00 In her talk, Paloma Medina discusses the need for businesses and individuals to move away from conversations about diversity and towards conversations about equity. She uses the example of the United States achieving a goal in space in a short period of time using a method that was previously thought to be impossible. Medina argues that businesses and individuals should adopt a similarly bold attitude and make a goal of achieving racial and gender equity in their hiring processes within three years.
• 00:15:00 In this talk, Paloma Medina urges leaders to focus on equity, rather than diversity, as the ultimate goal of workplace diversity. She notes that while diversity is an important part of the equation, it is not always the most important factor. Instead, Medina suggests that leaders focus on measuring progress and making time-bound goals in order to achieve equity.