When we talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the conversation often centers on race, gender, disability, and culture. That conversation
When we talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the conversation often centers on race, gender, disability, and culture. That conversation is driven by people who like that wide gap between the “have and the have nots” even if they have nothing.
What about the children? Don’t they get a say?
Children in rural communities face unique challenges that can directly affect their safety, access to services, and overall well-being. And when those needs are overlooked, it’s not just an inconvenience—it can have lifelong consequences.
Rural Is Not “Less Than”
For generations, rural communities have been treated as though they deserve fewer resources. It’s been framed as “just the way things are”—almost like a punishment for living outside a city.
Civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer understood this deeply. She, like many activists of the Civil Rights Movement, came from a rural background and often spoke about the lack of resources, infrastructure, and opportunities in these areas. They demanded investment in their communities—not as charity, but as justice.
The same fight continues today. The scales were unbalanced then, and they remain unbalanced now. Our children should not be paying the price for where they live.
What Equity Really Means for Rural Kids
Equity isn’t about giving everyone the same thing—it’s about making sure each child has what they need to be safe, healthy, and able to thrive. That means balancing the scales, not accepting “good enough” for rural kids.
For rural families, this can mean:
Better Infrastructure: Safe roads, functioning streetlights, reliable emergency services.
Transportation Services: School buses, medical transport, and safe travel options for after-school activities.
Mobile Services: If your child needs therapy, tutoring, or medical care, providers should be paid to come to you when travel is difficult.
Strong Internet Access: So your child can use educational tools, connect with support services, and attend telehealth appointments without interruption.
Extra Equipment: If rural conditions create extra challenges—such as needing additional devices for learning, treatment, or therapy—those needs should be met without delay.
Safety Is Part of DEI
Whether it’s access to law enforcement who understand rural realities, social workers who can reach your home, or crisis lines that actually serve your area, rural families deserve the same protection and responsiveness as anyone else.
A Call to Rural Parents
Advocating for your child means speaking up about these needs, even when the default response is, “That’s just how it is out here.” That mindset leaves children vulnerable.
We must remember: Living in a rural community is not an “oh well.” It is not a reason to deprive children of safety, opportunity, or protection.
If we are truly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we must make sure every child, in every zip code, is seen, valued, and protected. Rural children’s lives are just as rich in potential—and just as worthy of investment—as any child’s.