Final answer:
Covering is the act of downplaying individual identity elements to assimilate into mainstream culture, undermining true diversity and inclusion by promoting cultural assimilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon of covering as it relates to diversity and inclusion is essentially a strategy employed by individuals to downplay or hide aspects of their identity, such as race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation, to fit into the mainstream. This concept is linked to promoting cultural assimilation rather than cultural inclusion. While covering may enable individuals to avoid discrimination or bias, it also forces them to conceal important parts of their identities, perpetuating a culture that does not fully embrace diversity.