When it comes to the topic of diversity it can honestly go in so many directions. What I would say about Daralyse Lyons’ new book Demystifying Diversity: Embracing our Shared Humanity is that she strives to break it down to more than a US against THEM and see the why.

Through the interviews and her own personal observations we see how being singled out or labeled as impacted others. It also does something I wasn’t expecting. It turns the tables repeatedly on the reader, forcing us to ask what would we do or who would we be. In horrific events in history would be the one who was the oppressed or would we be the oppressor? Would we stand up for what is right or will be stay by? These questions are difficult but necessary if we are going to see things really move forward in a positive (and productive) way.

There’s another thing that Daralyse discusses in the book that is sure to step on some toes. I know it did mine. That being the words we use to categorize things, like being “good” for eating a salad or “bad” for not. The impact of what we say as well as what we do can impact the way people see themselves and feel about themselves.

Bottom line is we’re ALL a work in progress. This book challenges us to identify the work we ALL have to do and get about doing it.

Kathleen Yancosek

Store / Kathleen Yancosek

Kathleen (“Katie”) Yancosek is originally from Kane, Pennsylvania. She lived in nine different cities before retiring from the Army in 2017 as a Lieutenant Colonel. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in occupational therapy and a PhD in rehabilitation science. Dr. Yancosek has co-authored 38 publications, including three book chapters. She co-authored Handwriting for Heroes, a six-week program on how to transfer hand dominance. Katie lives in San Antonio with her husband, Barry. They have two adult sons. Joshua, is serving in California with the U.S. Navy, and William is a college student at the University of Texas in Austin. Since her retirement, Katie is running a private rehabilitation practice to help people cope with neurological and behavioral health issues. In her free time she runs, reads, and writes. Grace & Mercy: A Devotional Journey was a unique partnership project between Katie and her pastor. Katie hopes this book will encourage personal growth in grace and mercy as well as bring people together around questions that matter. Katie’s has two new book projects: one is a recovery workbook called Recover in Color and the other is a children’s adventure book called A Tale of Two Squirrels.

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