DCAO Helps Connect the Dots from Belonging to Bridging

By Sarah Aghassi, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer LUEG and D&I Executive Council Member

A rising tide of social unrest, buoyed by racial and cultural bias and polarizing political events, has divided communities across the United States, including San Diego. And although much work is being done at the County of San Diego to recognize implicit bias and microaggressions, restore respect and trust and promote equity, this divide makes it difficult to create important community connections.

This quarter, the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Team is highlighting the concept of “bridging” and sharing resources that can help us close the gap and strengthen those connections. Each time we make the choice to interact with someone new, to share ideas, interests or beliefs, we invite in opportunities to create a larger network of diverse perspectives – in essence, we create a bridge that shortens the distance between our differences. Bridging allows us to see the benefits of our diversity and asks us to focus on our shared humanity. When we fully engage with bridging, we transition away from the notion of “them” (othering) and seek out ways to strengthen “us” (belonging and inclusion).

We are demonstrating this right now in how we are implementing the Board’s Framework for the Future that broadly seeks input from our wonderfully diverse community and County team. Focusing on our shared humanity supports a deeper understanding and helps us to respond intentionally, learning and growing as individuals and County professionals. This is encouraging. Working together toward our shared humanity will help us all become better public servants, colleagues and neighbors. To learn more about bridging, please visit the links below.

Article: Bridging & Belonging

Video: A Society Built on Belonging

Also read: Susan Brazeau, Director of Human Resources and D&I Executive Council Member’s message on Belonging

Learn more about belonging in the D&I Digest.