What Does It Mean to ABIDE? Some people hear “abide” and think of phrases like “abide by the rules” or  “abide by a decision.” While this is one definition of the word, there’s another you may have encountered as well. Abide can mean “to tolerate or endure,” “to wait or persist,” and “to remain or stay.”

• Abide to tolerate or endure: This implies patience and resilience in the face of challenges.
• Abide to wait or persist: This suggests a commitment to a long-term goal and a willingness to persevere.
• Abide to remain or stay: This emphasizes the importance of consistency and continuity in efforts to achieve equity.

While I’ve started using the acronym ABIDE to mean Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity, I chose that word in particular to reinforce the idea that building an equitable workplace is a journey, not a destination. It requires sustained effort, patience, and resilience.

Haven’t come across this meaning yet? Let’s jump into some dictionaries!

Dictionary Definitions

Merriam-Webster Dictionary | abide | verb | ə-ˈbīd | https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abide

1. to tolerate or withstand
   • to bear patiently : TOLERATE
     cannot abide such bigots
   • to endure without yielding : WITHSTAND
     abide the onrush of the enemy
2. to wait for : AWAIT
   I will abide the coming of my lord.—Alfred Tennyson
3. to accept without objection
   will abide your decision

Dictionary.com | abide | verb (used with object) / verb phrase | https://www.dictionary.com/browse/abide

1. to put up with; tolerate; stand:
   I can’t abide dishonesty!
   • Synonyms: support, brook, endure, bear
2. to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting:
   to abide a vigorous onslaught
3. to wait for; await:
   to abide the coming of the Lord
4. to accept without opposition or question:
   to abide the verdict of the judges
5. to pay the price or penalty of; suffer for.
6. to act in accord with.
7. to submit to; agree to:
   to abide by the court’s decision
8. to remain steadfast or faithful to; keep:
   If you make a promise, abide by it.

So What Does It REALLY Mean to ABIDE?

The word “abide” carries deeper meaning than simply following the rules. It implies patience, persistence, and endurance. These qualities are essential for building an equitable workplace. 

• Building an equitable workplace requires immense patience and resilience. We must withstand challenges, biases, stigma, and setbacks without compromising our goals.
• Creating lasting change takes time. We must be committed to the long haul, demonstrating unwavering perseverance even when progress seems slow.
• Consistency is key in equity work. We must maintain our focus and dedication, ensuring that our efforts are sustained over time.

This deeper understanding of ABIDE is why I chose it as the foundation for the framework. It’s not just about creating a checklist of initiatives; it’s about cultivating a culture of endurance, patience, and persistence. By understanding ABIDE in this way, we can better appreciate the challenges and rewards of building a truly equitable organization.

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I’ve had so many great conversations since that SHRM announcement! Equity, while sometimes misunderstood, is such a critical part of the work that DEI professionals set out to do.

SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management) recently announced the “strategic decision” to rebrand DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) as Inclusion & Diversity (I&D), effective immediately.

Read more: Not Without Equity

I think, instead of removing letters from the acronyms we use to describe our work, we should be adding letters. Let’s consider ABIDE.

ABIDE: Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

ABIDE is an acronym that stands for:

• Accessibility: equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of abilities or disabilities
• Belonging: a sense of connection and acceptance where everyone feels valued and welcomed
• Inclusion: environments where everyone feels respected, heard, and supported, regardless of their background
• Diversity: differences that make us unique, including many facets such as race, gender, age, and disability
• Equity: the resources and support needed for everyone to compete fairly

Each component of the ABIDE framework is interconnected and crucial for creating an inclusive environment.

The ABIDE Interdependence

• Accessibility without inclusion can lead to physical access but social isolation.
• Belonging without accessibility can exclude individuals with disabilities.
• Inclusion without diversity can create homogeneous environments lacking innovation.
• Diversity without equity can result in tokenism rather than genuine opportunity.
• Equity without belonging can lead to a sense of isolation even with equal opportunities.

ABIDE Without _____?

• No Accessibility: Excludes individuals with disabilities, limiting talent pool and violating rights.
• No Belonging: Creates a hostile environment, leading to low morale, turnover, and decreased productivity.
• No Inclusion: Marginalizes underrepresented groups, stifling creativity and innovation.
• No Diversity: Limits perspectives, hindering problem-solving and decision-making.
• No Equity: Perpetuates systemic inequalities, undermining fairness and justice.

ABIDE in Circulation

I’m not the first to use this acronym, but I think it’s time we bring it into wider circulation.

These sources came up for organizations using the ABIDE acronym to mean Access(ibility), Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. There aren’t too many yet!

• American Printing House: https://www.aph.org/abide/
• Second Helpings: https://www.secondhelpings.org/second-helpings-abide-committee-looks-towards-future/

Other variations include:

• advancing belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity (Henry Ford College)
• accountability, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity (Luther Seminary)
• appreciation, belongingness, inclusivity, diversity, and equity (Ascension Health System)
• authenticity, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity (various LinkedIn/Twitter posts)

What About DEIB, IDEA, JEDI, and Other Acronyms?

The landscape of diversity, equity, inclusion, and related concepts is filled with a variety of acronyms. Each has its own nuances and focuses. The plethora of acronyms reflects the evolving nature of the conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Different organizations choose different terms based on their specific goals, values, and target audience.

Ultimately, the most important thing is not the acronym itself, but the actions and commitments behind it.

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