The power of “You Matter”

This sign caught my eye recently:

The homage to “Black Lives Matter” signs was obvious, and it reminded me of the battling signs of a few years ago, when some folks seemed compelled to react with signs proclaiming “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter.” I think once I even saw one with “Our Lord Jesus Christ Matters.” For a discerning analysis of such signage, it’s hard to beat the wisdom of Alonzo Bodden.

I suppose, in the midst of the current backlash against DEI, one could view this sign as an evasion, a retreat from a principled stand. But as I thought about it, it struck me that “You Matter” is the essence of Practicing Belonging. For if I truly believe you matter, then your lived experience must matter to me. Your heritage must matter to me. Your perspectives must matter to me. Whether you are treated justly and equitably must matter to me. Whether you have a fair opportunity to succeed must matter to me. And despite any discomfort, my having the curiosity to listen, learn, and grow must matter to me too.

And the thing is, despite the battle lines being drawn these days over DEI, belonging is still valued highly by most all of us, across political leanings. In an intriguing study, the word “Belonging” is near the very top of the list of civic words in its combination of net positivity, positivity across age ranges, and lack of a polarized reaction. Only “Community” and Service” score higher. And “Belonging” (with a composite score of 84) leaves related civic words and phrases in the dust, such as “Equality” (59), “Diversity” (38), “Racial Equity” (30), and Social Justice” (27).

So yes, there indeed is a fierce battle being waged over the legality of employer DEI practices. On the one hand is the current Administration, through Executive Orders and EEOC investigations seeking to eradicate DEI. On the other are many, including state attorneys general who point out that DEI principles are perfectly legal if appropriately pursued.

But in the interest of winning wars, not merely battles, it behooves us to revisit how our resolute principles are expressed. Belonging as a guiding principle, and Practicing Belonging as an endeavor for our law firms, do not surrender to the backlash. They surmount it.