Equity important to quality of life
As some of Naperville’s City Council members challenge the need for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in our large, diverse community, let’s consider equity in a broader sense.
Equity must remain a Naperville goal as it concerns the fundamental human right to opportunity for all Napervilians and DEI serves an aggregate of individuals, families and the public and private sectors. Equity promotes well-being in our community by proactively and efficiently addressing our diversity, including genders, races, physical and mental capacities and even classes. Promoting equity helps to manage disparities thoughtfully, broadens and preserves the inherent benefits of diversity and positively exploits its potential. It also ensures we live peaceably and comfortably together, not divided into subgroups embroiled with resentment and hostility, which is counterproductive to growth.
Equity catalyzes economic growth, paving the way for optimal health and academic outcomes, low unemployment, reduced poverty and enhanced local, statewide and beyond competitiveness. By prioritizing equity, we create a safer community that is not just prosperous, but also welcoming, inclusive and diverse.
Equity is not just a concept, it’s a proactive, innovative approach to thinking and planning for our future. Those in leadership roles who fail to see the value of DEI may need to fully study its benefits and risks to be genuinely committed to the promise of progress and diversity of its citizens. By embracing equity, we can inspire change and create a future that is fair, diverse and inclusive. Naperville, with a population of nearly 155,000, is Illinois’s fourth-most populous city and a high-tech community. Our diversity attracts new families and businesses. Ensuring we govern with an equity focus is not just a solid business decision that mitigates financial risk. Instead, it’s a clear sign of respect for diversity’s collective impact that enriches the lives of every Naperville resident.
Janice F Guider
Naperville