We Hold These Truths

In this article, the six authors share the truths around access, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and restorative practice regarding choral practice and pedagogy. Reminding the reader that “truths may be uncomfortable,” the inaugural issue of Lift Every Voice is a call for us to “embrace truthful encounters.”

In this article, it is important to know the meaning or definition of the six areas addressed. Based on the reading, the authors have provided the following:

Access - connected to relevance. “Information becomes more relevant as the effort required to obtain it and absorb it decreases - the lower the effort, the higher the relevance.”

Diversity - “can describe diverse people, thoughts, things, or a combination of these…diversity should suggest so much more.”

Equity - “individualizing instruction to make sure that each person has the tools and resources they need to be successful.”

Inclusion - “where those of privilege can learn about racism…for the choral conductor, where we start to ask some fundamental questions about ourselves as conductors.”

Belonging - “the emotional need for human connection as satisfied through personal relationships, friendships, trust, acceptance, affection, intimacy, and love.”

Restorative Practice - “acknowledge that there are past and ongoing harms, and that we can only address them by transforming our practice.”

As we think of the six areas defined by the authors of this article, it is no surprise with the events that have taken place over the past five years and even recently that we are not connected as a nation. One of the joys of being involved in the arts is that this is one place that allows us to come together no matter the age, race, religion, wealth, sexual orientation, and so on. Because of this, it is important for us as leaders in the arts to find ways to hold discussions around access, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and restorative practice in our classrooms, in board meetings, but most importantly, in our society. TELL YOUR TRUTH!