Making Room

We were diligently planning a training event at the office. We had partnered with another agency to bring a great training to our local community and the classes were soon booked to capacity. We had a couple of individuals inquire about the classes and to my dismay I told them that the classes were full, but we would let them know should there be an opening available.

After a few days I began thinking that we could accommodate these individuals. I stated out loud that we could 'make room' for them. At that moment I began to think about that phrase and how it completely sums up the idea of 'Inclusion'. 

Inclusion defined is simply 'the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.' In essence 'Making Room'! When I 'make room' for a person or idea it doesn't mean that I accept or make any judgement. It simply means I respect that person enough to include them in whatever they have been excluded from previously. Typically we think of inclusion in reference to discrimination in some form. Ultimately allowing inclusion does seem to negate overt discrimination.

What can happen when we include is that we give a small opening for that person to feel welcome and appreciated. In doing so we allow a part of ourselves to the idea of 'what if'. ... What would happen if that person were fully included and appreciated and their views and values respected. Notice I didn't say that inclusion meant agreement. I  don't have to always agree with everyone in my circle to appreciate and value their diversity. 

We all come from different places, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds, psychological filters. We can all view the same scene and get vastly different interpretations and each has their own merit. Where we run into problems is the idea that my view is the best or only view with merit.

As the political climate keeps rising and our level of overall civility decreases I think we should pause and reflect on how we are treating others. Are we 'making room' for them to express their personal views in a way that we respect our differences and still give room for the idea that we are all similar in many ways and ultimately our differences have equal merit. I want to 'make room' how about you?

jamie