S03 E56 Diversity Work Starts With A Memory

What characterizes our path in becoming diversity workers who strive towards achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and intersectional justice in our societies? It usually starts with a memory, with witnessing an injustice that stays with us forever, and becomes ingrained into who we are. For Kaumudi Goda it began with a memory about her grandmother who could not step out of the house because she was a widow and people believed encountering a widow first thing in the morning would bring them bad luck. The memory stayed with her and as a result Kaumudi never stopped to reflect on the world, realizing early on that dichotomies and pigeonholes representing power relations follow us everywhere we go. After studying, moving across countries and continents, and working in various fields, she decided to become a DEI consultant to be at the forefront of dismantling oppressive structures. Accordingly, our conversation centers around the beauty of diversity, on the importance of feeling that we belong and on what we can unlock collectively through systemic changes that are long overdue. Kaumudi introduces us to the topic through a bike ride in Amsterdam, through her very own reflections on privilege and on how marginalized communities due to systemic disadvantages do not have the luxury to stop thinking about who they are, to not worry, to not struggle, to ultimately rest. Host: Stella Saliari At Salt the Podcast my guests and I contest and deconstruct narratives, and passionately recreate with the aim to change systems and perceptions. We want to elevate a generation that is feminist, antiracist and empathetic. Our conversations flow into each other and leave room for the unexpected. Salt is love, community, solidarity, a collective, healing, creating. It is intersectional, full of stories, movement and change. It insists, evolves and transforms. It is a commitment. #diversity #equity #inclusion #belonging #access #Justice #amsterdam #india #grandmother #widow #intersectionality #feminist #podcasters #DEIB #workplace #saltthepodcast #privilege #compassion #visbility #stories #personalnarratives #diversitywork #genderidentity #nonbinary #activism Follow Salt @salt_thepodcast Subscribe to Salt The Podcast on Soundwise