Respectful Disruption: An Unapologetic Approach

Written By Christina Thompson

Defining Respectful Disruption

Compear.org was founded in response to an evident disparity in global education. We observed a world where certain narratives were favored, where the rich tapestry of global histories and marginalized voices was too often silenced. This led us to realize that to achieve authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion, it wasn't enough to merely adjust the system in place. We needed to revolutionize it. That was when we embraced the approach we now call 'respectful disruption.'  This approach is also the basis of my doctoral research and framework that we use for our educational programming and coaching. 

Compear was built on the premise that every voice holds importance and every perspective bears inherent value. To truly hear these voices, we acknowledged the need to challenge the status quo without hesitation. This marked our initiation into respectful disruption, giving us the strength to question, contest, and reshape the prevalent norms in education and beyond.

But disruption in itself isn’t enough. It is vital to maintain respect, empathy, and understanding throughout the process. Our aim is to question existing systems, refine them, and co-construct them into a more inclusive and equitable model. This is where the 'respectful' in 'respectful disruption' plays a critical role. It keeps us grounded in empathy and understanding as we disrupt and instigate change.

Why Respectful Disruption?

Respectful disruption brings new perspectives and narratives into the conversation, challenging the status quo and shaking the foundations of traditional systems that perpetuate inequity. It forces us to step back, question our preconceived notions, and re-evaluate the systems and processes that we have become accustomed to. Through this respectful yet robust questioning, we can uncover inherent biases, systemic barriers, and practices that may be hindering our progress towards achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The beauty of respectful disruption is that it recognizes the value of every voice, particularly those that have been marginalized or silenced in the past. This approach pushes us to go beyond tokenistic representation, fostering genuine diversity and inclusion by ensuring that all individuals have an equal opportunity to contribute, influence, and shape the policies, decisions, and actions that affect them.

Respectful Disruption in Global Education

In the realm of Global education, respectful disruption becomes even more critical. Students, faculty, and staff come from all backgrounds, bringing with them a plethora of experiences, perspectives, and values. This diversity can be a rich source of innovation and learning, but only if we create an environment where these diverse voices are not just tolerated, but genuinely respected and embraced.

To implement respectful disruption in global education, we need to acknowledge and challenge existing pedagogical and administrative practices that may perpetuate discrimination and exclusion. We need to question the Eurocentric and Western-centric narratives that often dominate curriculums and create space for indigenous knowledge systems, underrepresented histories, and marginalized voices.

Simultaneously, we need to foster a culture of openness and dialogue, where all individuals feel safe and empowered to share their experiences and ideas. This entails not just teaching about diversity, equity, and inclusion, but embodying these principles in our day-to-day interactions and decisions.

The Path Forward

As we move forward, it's important to remember that respectful disruption isn't about causing unnecessary conflict or completely discarding existing systems. Instead, it's about catalyzing constructive change, breaking down barriers, and creating more inclusive, equitable spaces.

We have a shared responsibility to challenge inequities and promote justice in our societies, our workplaces, and our educational institutions. Let's harness the power of respectful disruption to make this vision a reality, fostering a culture that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and strives relentlessly towards inclusion and justice.

In essence, respectful disruption in DEI and Global Education is an ongoing journey, and we are all participants in this transformative process. Let's continue to disrupt respectfully, listen attentively, speak courageously, and act decisively, recognizing that our collective efforts can lead to a more equitable, just, and inclusive world.  Whether we choose to disrupt unapologetically, agitate assertively, or shake things up respectfully, our collective efforts will lead to a world that unreservedly embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. Remember, disruption is not the adversary; complacency is.

Learn more about the Global Respectful Disruption Summit.