The Grace of Inclusion: Building an Inclusive Mindset

By Fidelis Teresa D’Cunha PhD

The world today has become smaller with widespread advances in communication technology. We are well connected and have access to information, literally at our fingertips, and yet, we may not be connected with our neighbor literally next door. The Grace of Inclusion contains personal encounters and experiences that serve to encourage inclusiveness in thought, word, and action.

Explore the important role inclusiveness plays in fostering stronger communities and relationships, fighting against prejudice and hatred, while welcoming those whom society unjustly deems “other.” Prejudice can serve as a barrier to communication, building walls of hostility that serve as a means of destroying rather than advancing relationships, but we can cross those barriers intentionally.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385023868

Fidelis Teresa D’Cunha PhD

Dr. Fidelis Teresa D’Cunha is a National Diversity Council certified Diversity Executive. She is currently the District Provost for Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Wayne County Community College District. She has a doctorate in higher education from the University of Toledo and a master of arts in pastoral studies from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

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Copyright © 2024 Fidelis Teresa D’Cunha, PhD.

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-2384-4 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-2386-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024907968

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/26/2024

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1   Encountering the Other

Chapter 2   Being Inclusive Is an Inner Journey

Chapter 3   Overcoming Biases and Prejudices

Chapter 4   An Inner Journey Healing to Wholeness

Chapter 5   Outreach

Conclusion

Glossary

Bibliography

PREFACE

Education plays a very important role in the cultural evolution process. Culture is more than interpretation or meaning. It is the expression used by human beings to communicate and to reach out to other human beings. Historical documents, events, and situations evolve and some are forced to evolve. All events and situations are elements in the evolutionary process. Our free will determines the flexibility or the resistance to change wherever and whenever requited.

Change is a dynamic that emerges when due consideration is given to what is different, unknown, or unexplainable. So welcoming the stranger is addressing what is unknown in order to know from the other. This approach opens doors and pathways for individuals and groups.

Change is clearly seen in retrospection. It is difficult to see it when you are in the midst of it. It is transformative, and this transformative learning is encouraged more today—more than it has ever been before. My personal experience of being open to