By invitation only

  Inclusion is a hot topic right now. We all want to be included. But there is a simple thing about inclusion that many overlook, to be included you have to be the same. What I mean is, you can't play basketball and be included in the baseball game. No, you have to be playing baseball to do that. And there's this thing about teams, you have to be picked to be on them. In order to be picked you have to provide the perception that you will benefit that team in some fashion. That's how you get included. When you were little did your mom or someone else insist you be included in some activities your siblings or peers were engaged in? You were all excited to play but they weren't excited to have you on the team. It usually didn't end well for anyone involved in all of that. 

 We had the "me too" movement thing. Yeah, that was a thing for a short time anyway. That was when others wanted to be included with whatever injury, either real or perceived, had affected others. Hey, "me too" was the cry, followed by I should receive the same compensation and acknowledgement as the others! That was more about eligibility than inclusivity, that's true, but still. And for me I include all the "survivors" these days. All just looking for that recognition, that eligibility for whatever benefit may be had from that. To be included in the hall of heroes. In my opinion the hall is overflowing and has lost its' luster. When everyone is a hero it sure doesn't mean a whole lot.

 Your occupation doesn't make you a hero. That's not how that works. I see many today that are very confused about that, believing they can simply sign up for the position. I'll be a hero. That is almost always followed by, I am entitled to special treatment and exclusive benefits afforded to heroes. It might only be  a special parking spot or some tax break but it recognizes you as a hero. It appears to me that "public service" and "hero" are becoming almost interchangeable terms in the minds of many. If I'm performing a public service, work that benefits the public, I'm automatically a hero. Ever notice how those performing a public service refer to others as "civilians?" The implication being they are members of some "military or martial" organization engaged in battle. That even counts when you are a volunteer. I volunteer to be a hero. Yeah, okay.

  You are only included if you are invited. That's how it works. If there is some outside force, some legislation or mandate that compels others to "include" you, you are not being included. Granted that is sometimes a necessary thing, the forced inclusion, but it doesn't mean you will be accepted. If you were ever in the service you will understand that completely. You think high school had their little cliques, ha, try being in the service. The others have to decide whether they can trust their life with you. Yeah, it's a bit different. You are on the team alright, but are you welcomed? Depends. Spent twenty years of my life in the service and never met a single hero, nope, not a one. Did know a few that thought they were though, they weren't included much when it came down to it. 

  Inclusion. It is by invitation only. That is why it will never work as a policy. When someone is "included" not by invitation, but by force, there will always be resentment. You will be starting out on the wrong foot, out of step with the others. That isn't to say that you can't be included later on, after you have proven yourself, that happens as well, but it isn't by directive. No, you have to earn that, be invited. You don't get to just sign up, life isn't tee ball, and not everyone will get to play. Not everyone gets invited to the party. "Although I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either." ( Jesse Owens ) None of that changed who he was and what his achievements were, it was just the simple truth. He wasn't invited. It also doesn't mean he was excluded. And that's the part many just don't seem to understand.