A few weeks ago Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Sam's Club, was pilloried and called racist because she said that diversity is valued within the company and should be a priority amongst its suppliers. At the outset, I must disclose that Ms. Brewer is my Spelman classmate, friend, and line sister. That said my post is not a personal defense of my friend Roz. Our Spelman Sisters are handling that. Rather, I believe that the commitment to diversity embraced by Ms. Brewer must extend beyond the workplace and be integrated into the very fabric of our lives, schools, and places of worship. As we stand on the precipice of a brand new year I invite you to join me in embracing diversity in race, socioeconomic status, age, religion, gender, and yes even political ideology. Our ability to transcend difference is critical to our success as Americans and global citizens.
America stands on the declaration that we are created equal and endowed with certain rights that our founding fathers defined as unalienable. The uproar over Ms. Brewer's comments is but one in a long litany of instances where the celebration of diversity, particularly in the workplace, has been met with accusations of racism, preferential treatment, and reverse discrimination. That said, I believe that these protests are rooted, at least in part, in an intense fear that embracing diversity will prevent some from achieving the American dream that exists for a few at the expense of many. Inside this intense fear is the same story about a vision of America that is largely responsible for the slow cooked stew of divisiveness between race, religious denominations, culture, gender, socioeconomic status, and political ideology that is currently boiling over.
Weaving diversity into the fabric of our lives is not easy or quick. It requires more than acknowledging our differences. A commitment to diversity involves a willingness to include and listen to different voices without judgment. We must let go of long held stereotypes and beliefs about groups and individuals. It necessitates a deepening of our awareness of the implicit biases that shape our judgment and decisions about different groups of people, issues, and ideas.
The uproar over Ms. Brewer's comments strongly suggests that for some diversity is a pejorative concept that is synonymous with quotas. It further implies that these same people perceive diversity as excluding one group or person in favor of another. However, diversity is the opposite of preferential treatment and quotas. Diversity is based upon acceptance and respect. It honors our uniqueness and recognizes that different voices at the proverbial table only make us stronger. Achieving diversity requires a willingness to invite individuals to that table without regard to race, gender, socioeconomic status, age, physical ability, mental illness, religious beliefs, and political ideology. In short it is hard work that will yield a bountiful harvest for the people and institutions involved. I believe that when viewed through this lens it is clear that diversity should be the goal of any group of people, company, or institution that desires the richness that comes with difference.
As always be empowered, encouraged, and enlightened!!