Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Our Writing

Recently, I did a workshop with Annie Gicchuru from Uplifting Studios on how to write a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement.

Annie encouraged us to write our statements, even if we don’t get it all right at once.

Even if we make mistakes.

She encouraged us to write, review, keep learning, keep adapting.

It’s important to keep working at addressing race, class, social justice–diversity of all kinds–in our writing. It doesn’t mean we have to have all the answers, but if we don’t at least attempt to address them, are we honouring the full expression of humanity?

I’ve been challenged and if you want to read my very early, and very imperfect DEI statement, you can see it here.

Addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our writing is challenging. It can be uncomfortable and sometimes messy, but it’s something that can be done sensitively.

We can demonstrate the love of Jesus by showing careful construction of our characters. The care we demonstrate for others in our writing is an expression of our faith.

By this, I mean that if get insight for ourselves about the way our biases, often unconscious, operate, we will write with more sensitivity, more compassion, and more understanding.

I’m not talking about sanitising or cancelling here. I’m talking about careful and considerate construction of characters so that we include and welcome people into our stories through the representation of diverse characters in ways that honour the beauty in diversity.

A by-product of this is that we will see growth and change in ourselves. We may also find that our writing actually becomes more redemptive as we better reflect the Kingdom of God.

Verses such as Galatians 3:28 reinforce the idea that there are no lesser or greater Christians based on background:  There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

We can believe this and yet still believe that DEI challenges are not present in the Body of Christ, or indeed in our own writing. We can incorrectly use verses like this, and others, to justify our own perspectives and not question or interrogate our work.

When our writing reflects a sense of belonging for all who may read it, no matter their background, beliefs, or identity, won’t it help others to connect to Jesus?

We can cultivate a sense of proximity between ourselves and those around us in our writing. We do this by decreasing the gaps of understanding between our experiences and people from different backgrounds.

One way we can ensure that we are learning and growing in this area could be having a sensitivity reader.

I have never had a formal sensitivity reader, however, when I wrote Amazing Grace, I asked a variety of people to read the book before it was published. Some had struggled with faith and identity and opened up to me about their journeys. They also pointed out sticky areas in my book.

Even the terminology was fraught with possible problems. LGBTQI and all that encompasses was relevant and needed to be unpacked so I could write this book.

Some of the feedback called me out on some of my representations and the feedback was very helpful. Helpful, in that it helped me to consider the construction of my characters through an insider’s eyes.

I see it as similar to writing about a profession I have no insider knowledge of–the work of a detective, an industrial chemist, or a dog surfing instructor. (As host of the World Dog Surfing Competition, California is arguably the only state where it makes sense to have a job teaching dogs how to surf.)

Perhaps we need to ensure we include a more diverse group of beta readers when we write about different cultures, faiths, identities.

Perhaps it’s wise to have someone read our work and point out areas that may be problematic.

When it’s done well, a sensitivity reader isn’t taking the danger from your work. They’re working with you to ensure that the risks you take are deliberate.

Jinghua Qian

I’ve begun to scope out sensitivity readers for future work and wish I’d done it sooner.

In this day and age, writing from a Christian perspective is fraught with possible mine fields. We still need to be bold and write what God has put on our hearts to write, but at the same time we need to seriously consider how we explore the world of issues in the diversity, equity, and inclusion arena.

Do you have a DEI statement? What do you think about asking a sensitivity reader to respond to your work?

A couple of resources:

• “The Life-Changing Power of Representation,” Relevant Magazine, by Tasha Jun
• Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation, by Latasha Morrison