Diversity |
PrefaceIn the New York Times, Anna Holmes wrote of diversity, “How does a word become so muddled that it loses much of its meaning? How does it go from communicating something idealistic to something cynical and suspect? If that word is “diversity,” the answer is: through a combination of overuse, imprecision, inertia and self-serving intentions…[the word] has become both euphemism and cliché, a convenient shorthand that gestures at inclusivity and representation without actually taking them seriously."
Holmes’ critique was directed at corporate culture and the rise of diversity consultants to promote its very existence in the work place. Yet, many perceive diversity as a means to end in itself. Statistics, show that diversity is still lacking despite the continuous conversations about diversity. It is simply easier to hire and work with someone from a different background than actually produce change. It is easier to applaud the victory of one individual as a shining beacon of progress, than it is to actively elevate the status of an entire group of people. Instead, it often falls down to the token individuals to actively seek change because they are asked to speak for an entire community or act as a sole liaison. What about the media? Holmes’ sentiment may appear counter intuitive at first glance, based on the increasing visibility of diverse groups on screen but Showbiz and Hollywood replicate the same practices. Any instance of representation is heralded as a leap of progress but the data doesn’t support the conclusion. Moreover, less diversity is found behind the camera. At the end of the day representation doesn’t translate into diversity—into inclusion. Too often, discourse of diversity must be prefaced with othering, inclusion, and equality because diversity is code for beyond the norm. What if we not only appreciated diversity but normalized it? By Caleb Claudio |
About the AuthorsWe are a cohort of social work students in the BSW program at Wayne State University. This project was created for our Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice class with Professor Wineman. We have each collaborated together to produce this compilation, as the first part of an ongoing longitudinal project for future students to build upon. Hopefully, this proves to be a unique and invaluable resource for readers.
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