Welcoming Community: Expression Equity

This month, the Welcoming Community newsletter delves into the topic of expression equity. From the perspective of welcoming efforts throughout the Northland, expression equity revolves around the freedom to express oneself, see expressions of one’s culture reflected in the community, and feel those expressions are heard and valued by those around them.

Cultural expression is an important aspect of how community members feel welcomed and experience a sense of belonging in their communities. Expression manifests in many ways, including speech, visual art, and storytelling, as well as other forms of self-expression like clothing and hairstyles. Historically, power imbalances between different groups have centered the expression and expansion of the perspectives and culture of the majority population. Being cognizant of the power dynamics involved in expression equity can help organizations, leaders, and community members support the inclusive expression of diverse groups.

Expression equity is a topic that can be explored by community members to engage in difficult conversations and support diversity and inclusion en route to equity. Some questions we might ask are: Are limits to expression necessary? What is the value of allowing expression of diverse or even controversial perspectives in our communities?     

Further welcoming efforts around expression equity might include: 

• Attending, promoting, or funding local art exhibits and performances that celebrate diverse cultural backgrounds through a variety of artistic methods.
• Highlighting voices of community members representing minority groups by sharing their stories, achievements, and perspectives through local media, social platforms, or community events.
• Participating in programs that encourage community members to engage across differences, such as dialogue circles, cultural experiences, or storytelling events where people from different backgrounds can express themselves and learn from one another.
• Creating spaces for public art that reflects the cultural diversity of the community to ensure that all community members see their identities and histories represented in shared spaces.

For this month’s programming update, we want to encourage you to be a part of Welcoming Week 2024! This is a programming effort started by the national Welcoming America organization and will run from September 16-21 for 2024.

From the Welcoming America webpage: “Now in its 12th year, Welcoming Week 2024 is a call for individuals and groups to come together and celebrate their strengths and differences. This year’s theme, We’re All In, invites communities to showcase how they’re building places that value all perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.”

Welcoming Week is an opportunity for communities across our region to host programs or activities to support more welcoming and inclusive communities. Check out the Welcoming Week Toolkit for ways to bring programming to your community and keep an eye out for updates on events happening in Duluth with the Welcoming Community program and Iron Range areas with Hello Range!

Duluth Superior Pride Festival
August 31, 2024
Bayfront Park, Duluth, MN
Learn more here