Presidential Address 2012 Creating Inclusive Communities: Pathways to the Vision

摘要

In the words of Shafik Asante (2002), a formernleader of New African Voices in Philadelphia,nPennsylvania, ‘‘Inclusion entails recognition of ournuniversal ‘oneness’ and interdependence. Inclusionnis recognizing that we are ‘‘one’’ even though wenare not the ‘‘same’’ (p. 1). Fighting for inclusionninvolves assuring that support systems are in placento ease the person’s entry into social and civicnlife. Providing and maintaining support systemsnare civic responsibilities, not a favor to the lessnfortunate. We were all born ‘‘in.’’ Society willnimmediately improve at the point we honor thisntruth! Inclusion, therefore, really means accepting,nembracing, and celebrating the gifts, talents, andndifferences in all of us as a means of shaping com-nmunities that are welcoming places for all peoplen(Asante, 2002).