Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: How Did We Get Here?
We continue to witness many organizations mandating policies that have adopted a plethora of acronyms: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion can now be known as E.D.I. or D.E.I., D.E.B.I., adding in Belonging, J.E.D.I. for Justice, I.D.E.A for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, and now R.I.D.E for Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. These are all great, but how did we get here in the first place?
In our work with corporations, government agencies, and N.G.O.s, we’ve utilized the window of opportunity to discuss colonization’s untaught history and how we got to this place where we need R.I.D.E’s, J.E.D.I’s and D.E.B.I’s.
Some things in this article may be difficult to digest, but I invite you to breathe through it. We cannot heal what is not acknowledged.
The Beginning of Colonization
Over 500 years ago, the Doctrine of Discovery was the legal foundation used to justify the colonization of Indigenous peoples around the world. It was first codified in 1493 by Pope Alexander VI. The Pope issued a Papal Bull, or an official decree, that granted sovereignty over newly discovered lands to the colonizing nation. This Papal Bull was known as Inter caetera, granting Spain ownership over lands west of a north-south line drawn 100 leagues west of the Canary Islands. This decree essentially gave Spain the green light to colonize the Americas.
The Pope instructed King Alphonso of Portugal to go to the western coast of Africa and to
invade, capture, vanquish and subdue all Saracens, pagans, and other enemies of Christ to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery and to take away all their possessions and property.
The doctrine said that non-Christian peoples were subhuman and that invading their lands, killing them, and stealing their resources were okay, justifying the genocide of Indigenous peoples and the theft of their lands.
The Papal Bull was based on the concept of terra nullius, which means “empty land.” This doctrine held the idea that if Christians DID NOT inhabit the land, it was essentially empty and up for grabs. Of course, this land was not actually uninhabited; it was occupied by millions of Indigenous people who had their own cultures, customs, and religions. But because these peoples were not Christian, they were seen as less than human.
Within various Vatican documents from the 15th century, for example, in the papal bull of May 4th of 1493, Pope Alexander VI says that it is pleasing to the divine Majesty that barbarous nations be subjugated. He continues:
“We define that any land that has been found and discovered by Christians, our subjects…belongs to the dominion of the said Christian kings…and they have full and free power to do with them and their inhabitants as they see fit.”
This meant they could convert them to Christianity by force if necessary, and if they refused, they could enslave or even put them to DEATH.
For centuries, the Vatican’s doctrine has been used to legitimize the colonization of Indigenous territories and the theft of their resources. The Pope employed his positionality to justify the mass slaughter, enslavement, and exploitation of Indigenous peoples across the Americas. In doing so, he helped create a mindset that continues to see Indigenous peoples as subhuman and their lands up for grabs.
Understanding the history of the Doctrine of Discovery and its implications for not just Indigenous peoples but all those impacted by colonization is critical to begin the process of healing the colonized mind. Only by understanding how we got here can we begin to heal the deep wounds inflicted by this doctrine.
This doctrine has yet to be rescinded by the Vatican.
The Doctrine of Discovery and Today
It is not widely spoken about, but the Doctrine of Discovery is still used today to justify the theft of Indigenous land and resources. For example, the Supreme Court has cited the doctrine in several key decisions in the United States. In one 1823 case, Johnson v. M’Intosh, the court ruled that because Native Americans were not Christian, they could not hold “fee simple” title to their land; instead, their title was only good for as long as the U.S. government allowed them to stay on it.
In a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case, City of Sherrill v. Oneida Nation, the court ruled that the doctrine applies to land deals between Native Americans and private citizens, even if those deals occurred centuries ago. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the majority of the opinion.
This ruling effectively means that any Indigenous land not currently under federal trust protection is fair game for developers and other private interests. Therefore, the Doctrine of Discovery is a key tool in the ongoing dispossession of Native peoples in the United States.
In other words, according to the Supreme Court, the United States has a legal right to take away Indigenous land whenever it wants to.
The psychological effects and the impact on the mental health of Indigenous people because of colonization are well documented. One of many examples is forced assimilation, which has been linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among Indigenous peoples.
The Doctrine, Race, and Slavery
The doctrine also had a hand in creating the concept of race. Before colonization, there wasn’t such a thing as “race.” But as Europeans began interacting with other cultures, they saw themselves as superior to those who didn’t look like them or share their religion. This belief in white supremacy was incorporated into law and institutionalized throughout society. As a result, people who were seen as different from whites — were treated as second-class citizens or worse.
This doctrine also helped to legitimize the slave trade. Slavery was already practiced in many parts of the world, but the Europeans gave it a new twist. They justified it by saying that Africans were not Christian and could be treated as property because they were less than human.
Today, we continue to witness the mistreatment of Black and African people. They are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, incarcerated at higher rates, and live in poverty more often than white people. This is the legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.
The Doctrine and Manifest Destiny
The Doctrine of Discovery is also at the root of the environmental crisis. In the early days of colonization, the Europeans saw the land as something to be exploited for its resources. They had no concept of stewardship or sustainability. This exploitative mindset continues today and is one of the significant contributors to climate change and environmental inequalities.
The doctrine also underlies the concept of Manifest Destiny — the belief that it was the United States’ divine right to expand from coast to coast. This belief was used to justify the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands and the annexation of Mexican territory in the 19th century.
Manifest Destiny also rationalized the United States’ policy of imperialism — the extension of its power and influence worldwide. In 1898, the United States went to war with Spain and took control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. These territories were seen as stepping stones to U.S. domination of Asia.
Healing our Colonized Minds
The Doctrine of Discovery is a clear example of how the colonial mindset continues to shape our world today. But by educating ourselves and others, we can begin to dismantle it.
The time has come for the Vatican to issue a new Papal Bull that renounces the Doctrine of Discovery that apologizes and repair the harm it has caused.
We all must move towards healing our colonized mind by educating ourselves and others about the Doctrine of Discovery and its gruesome legacy. Because of its multiple layers of complexity, it is critical to prepare ourselves with tools that assist us in engaging in painful conversations that challenge all forms of oppression. Tools can help us to decolonize our minds, unlearn the harmful beliefs and attitudes we’ve been taught about other cultures, and influence collective healing.
In her book, Turning to One Another, Margaret Wheatley states, “There is no more powerful way to initiate significant social change than to start a conversation.” It is through conversation that we can plant the seeds of change. Although, we need to be honest with ourselves that engaging in difficult conversations about race and racism with family, friends, and co-workers is not going to be easy. These are the kind of dialogue that is easier to run from than to be a part of. Many people would instead run to the hills than talk about issues that could be seen as divisive.
The mental state of tension refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. When our ideologies and worldviews spark a challenge, charged emotions like anger, hate, fear, frustration, and despair release cortisol into our bloodstream, immediately triggering cognitive dissonance. This produces a feeling of mental discomfort leading to an alteration in one of the attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors to reduce the discomfort and restore balance. Suddenly, the ability to process our emotions and properly itemize our prejudices, biases, morals, and beliefs come to a halt.
The stress induced by this dissonance can cause one to experience cortical inhibition. This phenomenon can limit everything from how a person moves to how they hear, feel, and see. Suppose one cannot listen to what the other is saying or we are holding on too tightly to one way of thinking or believing. In that case, we cannot feel or acknowledge the emotions of others, have empathy and compassion for those we are engaging in dialogue with, and the ability to adapt our thinking becomes limited.
With cortisol flooding our bloodstream, we can find ourselves incapable of managing our emotions. When we become upset or angry, we spew out words coated with hate and disdain. Once it is breathed into existence, it cannot be retracted. These words hold the capacity to cause harm. Words rich with encouragement and hope have the same capacity to empower and create conditions for change.
“The only hope for humankind is in the transformation of the individual.”- Jiddu Krishnamurti
We must remember that it took centuries to create the conditions of injustice and inequality we see today, and it will take time to change them. Only when we engage in these challenging conversations can we have an opportunity for personal and collective transformation. Through building relationships and trust, we can find compassion for one another and plant the seeds that will grow into a more just and equitable future.
“Change happens by listening and starting a dialogue with the people doing something you don’t believe is right. You dialogue until they feel heard. Only when they feel heard can they change themselves.” -Grace Lee Boggs.
We must be willing to have these conversations to create a more just and equitable world. We need to be open to the idea that our worldview might be limited, that we might not have all the answers, and that we can learn from one another.
“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”- Dalai Lama XIV.
Listening is critical when trying to engage in difficult conversations. It allows us to understand where the other person is coming from and allows us to share our perspectives. It is only through listening that we can learn from one another and begin to build the relationships that are essential for creating lasting change.
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have truly come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” -Lilla Watson.
To create lasting change, we need to work together. We need to be in this for the long haul. We need to build relationships based on trust, respect, and understanding. Only then can we begin to heal the colonized mind and create a more just and equitable world for all.
Because of this ever-changing landscape of social exchange, we need consumable techniques and sustainable tools to teach us the importance of taking responsibility for our words and their outcomes within our communities. Hence, in between the notes of discourse, intense discussion and debate exists the perfect space to pause and reconnect to our breath. In this moment of reconnecting with our breath and pausing, we can avoid the numerous moments of regret and apology by being cautious and conscious of the words we choose to breathe into existence.
The Spirit of the Mouth- Hā
In the Hawaiian language, Alo- means forward facing or front and the word Hā means breath, to breathe, exhale, or a much more profound meaning, the spirit of the mouth. As we engage in dialogue with each other, our words hold intention and resonance that are attached to meaning. The meanings in our words are connected to consciousness just as our breath is connected to our words. Words are the medium and consciousness the wave form. Just as breath supports life, so communicating is an act of sacred breathing. When we are sharing words, we should not only be cautious of the environment in which our consciousness is affecting the words we share, but conscious of how the words in our construction of meaning are affecting those around us.
The Guiding Principles of A.L.O.H.A is both pragmatic and spiritual. It allows us to step into complex conversations that will invite the spirit of grace, empathy, responsibility, and accountability.
An Open Invitation
The current belief is that mandating diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism training within our institutions and organizations will eliminate these problems in our country. The reality is we cannot address the issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism without addressing the dynamics that got us here: Colonization and its effects on all our lives.
I invite you to partake in Healing the Colonized Mind: The Path to Personal Decolonization. It is a 12-hour educational and experiential workshop designed to equip participants to take a deep dive into engaging in productive conversations about the impacts of colonization and its effects on society. This program will prepare your organizations staff for real change regarding our racial and social dynamics by addressing the root of racial inequities and social injustices and providing a path toward cultural and collective healing.
This workshop is not for the faint of heart. It requires vulnerability, transparency, and a willingness to engage in courageous and brave conversations. If you are interested in learning more about this work and how to be a part of it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at contact@co3consulting.net.
If you found this story inspiring, click here and buy Dr. G a coffee.
About the Author
Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell is the Principal Consultant and CEO of Co3 Consulting: Co-Creating Cohesive Communities. The work of Co3 Consulting is based on the foundation of ALOHA and utilizes a unique blend of Indigenous philosophies and Western methods to work through decolonial healing processes.
Dr. Ebalaroza-Tunnell assists and guides organizations and institutions in developing meaningful land acknowledgments by taking leadership and staff through a process of decolonization while simultaneously defining and building a positive relationship with local Tribal members. This includes but is not limited to deepening the understanding of settler colonialism, whiteness, and allyship.
Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell (she/her/wahine) identifies as an Indigenous scholar born and raised on the island of O’ahu, Hawaii, and has over 20 years of experience working in public, private, and non-profit sectors with a focus on social justice, community organizing, and leadership development. Dr. G earned her doctorate in Transformative Studies and Consciousness from the California Institute of Integral Studies and her master’s in Whole Systems Design from Antioch University, Seattle. You can learn more about her work at www.Co3Consulting.net and www.EvolutionofAloha.com.
Resources:
Doctrine of Discovery, Mother Earth’s Pandemic
City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation of New York, 544 U.S. 197 (2005)
