Over the last four years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak with college students about how we can create a culture that recognizes and honors dignity. It has become a mission of mine. I want to leave a legacy that honors dignity, and I have come to understand that elevating dignity can have a generational impact.
How do I know this, you may ask? All you have to do is look at the lives of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, read Dr. Donna Hicks’ books on dignity and learn about her work in conflict resolution, or speak with my friend, mentor, and colleague, Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates, and learn about her continued work in elevating dignity.
I have seen what happens to teams when dignity is honored and when dignity is violated. I have witnessed the impact in my personal life as well. Elevating dignity has helped resolve conflicts, just as dignity violations have contributed to wars and divisions. It is the Ten Elements of Dignity and the Three Connections to Dignity, as defined by Dr. Hicks, that hold the power to change culture and positively impact our personal lives.
Ten Elements of Dignity
| Element | Core Question |
| Acceptance of Identity | Am I accepted for who I am? |
| Inclusion | Do I belong here? |
| Safety | Is it safe to be myself and speak up? |
| Acknowledgment | Do others hear and see me? |
| Recognition | Are my contributions valued? |
| Fairness | Am I treated justly? |
| Benefit of the Doubt | Are positive intentions assumed? |
| Understanding | Do others try to understand me? |
| Independence | Do I have choice and autonomy? |
| Accountability (Righting the Wrong) | Do people take responsibility for their actions? |
Three Connections to Dignity
- Connecting to the dignity of ourselves
- Connecting to the dignity of others
- Connecting to the dignity of something greater than ourselves
Often, dignity and respect are linked together, but I believe, as Dr. Hicks teaches, that they are not the same. I have honored the dignity of people whom I did not necessarily respect because I believe that every person has an inherent right to have their dignity honored. Honoring dignity is not only about its impact on others; it is also about its impact on ourselves.
I am not perfect. There were times in my life when I failed to honor the dignity of others and even my own dignity. Those were difficult periods in my life. I made poor choices that caused harm, and I failed to consider the consequences for myself and others. Before I could truly honor dignity, I had to learn to forgive myself and take an honest inventory of my life.
For the past ten years, I have been on a journey to change the course of my life through faith and a commitment to elevating dignity. It has not been easy, and I am far from perfect. The journey is like walking on ice. Progress can be slow and slippery, and at times you will fall. The challenge is finding the strength to get back up.
Honoring dignity has helped me continue moving forward, even when life’s challenges and roadblocks have tried to hold me back. Every day I wake up is another opportunity for redemption, as my brother Tracy often reminds me, and another opportunity to connect with people and make a difference. I am grateful for the work I do and for the love and support of my family and friends. It is what keeps me swimming, as Dory would say in Finding Nemo.
As I finish this post, I want to express my gratitude to my friends and mentors, Dr. Donna Hicks and Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates. I hope that one day the three of us will sit down, break bread together, and share our journeys through life. You have inspired me, and my hope is that I have inspired others to begin their own dignity journey.
Charles W. Redd, RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
