You’re not muted

I was on a Zoom call last week (when was I not on a Zoom call last week?) when it struck me how many different accents were chiming in about our current project: Indian, Ukrainian, Nigerian, and more international accents, plus the plethora of American accents (West Virginian, Bostonian, and deep Southern). I listened to the lilt and cadence of my colleague’s speech and thought how interesting and pleasant it was to have such variety. It also occurred to me, given the variety of American accents my ear picked up, that those who speak English as a second language are a particularly persevering group since English can sound so different from place to place and person to person. I’ve always enjoyed languages and linguistics: how our language is shaped, and how it shapes us.

The more I think about voices and the places and experiences that shape them, I think about what an all-around good thing inclusivity is. The more voices we have, the better. When we have individuals from disparate places, backgrounds, and demographics, our conversations are richer, our ideas more multifaceted, and our own minds more open. In an echo chamber of only our own voices, we only receive confirmation of what we already believe, and nothing new is gained.

I’m grateful for the diversity of voices and of people present on this large implementation, and at UVA as a whole, especially because my experience growing up was relatively homogenous. Yes, I love to hear the accents and rhythms of another language behind someone’s speech, but more than that, I enjoy the different viewpoints shaped by who they are. Inclusion of thought and voice is valued in my organization, and I’m glad to be a part of it.