yeah, I’ve heard it. And i agree.<\/p>\n
We need divesity, Having people from different walks of life and different backgrounds makes a more interesting and stronger base.<\/p>\n
But i’m sick to death of cookie cutter diversity.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the latina woman, black man, homosexual man and asian woman panel for diversity day is not as played out as I feel it is.<\/p>\n
Maybe there really is a need for more of that, maybe other people have not gained what they can from it.<\/p>\n
But I think that the usual suspect have given their time.<\/p>\n
Can’t we be a little more diverse in our diversity? I would like to see an orthodox jew talk about his or her high holy days. I’d like to have an armenian on the microphone to talk about the genocide.<\/p>\n
Maybe a muslim? A hindu person to talk about what to bring to a potluck.<\/p>\n
and you want to know what else? White people getting real about what makes them not as ordinary as they look.<\/p>\n
The panels of the same old diversity candidates is starting to reinforce stereotypes. The opposite of their intent, I think.<\/p>\n
One place i worked at was celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s day. MLK is a remarkable man. They were holding a food drive. <\/p>\n
As I handed them my cans of food, I said, “I can’t help but think. Isn’t this rather condescending? Martin Luther King was a heroic figure that championed the rights of African Americans. When people think of commemorating him, naturally they think of African Americans. And holding a food drive on his day is kind of like saying African Americans are poor and need food.”<\/p>\n
The organizer sputtered and said that King had a lot to say about service, and…and…and<\/p>\n
I caught the eye of a young African American man helping the organizer. “Yeah…” he said. “I see what you mean. It doesn’t look good.”<\/p>\n
“Wouldn’t it be better to find people who were similar to King, and were making a difference in their communities? People of any background?” I said.<\/p>\n
It woudl be a lot harder to organize that kind of meaningful tribute. It’s easier to stick to the agreed-upon definition of diversity.<\/p>\n
Diversity is here. It’s now, in every group. What do each of us have to offer each other?<\/p>\n
We have to start seeing each other.<\/p>\n
All of each other.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
yeah, I’ve heard it. And i agree. We need divesity, Having people from different walks of life and different backgrounds makes a more interesting and stronger base. But i’m sick to death of cookie cutter diversity. Perhaps the latina woman, … Continue reading