“Society is unity in diversity.”—George H. Meade
I have a problem with “diversity”—well, not diversity in itself, but diversity as a means of labeling. I work in a university setting, so I am well aware of the seemingly endless committee work to define “diversity”. (Now, lest anyone judge me as some evil person, let me be clear. I welcome diversity.)
When we attempt to define diversity in committee, we immediately begin to deny diversity as a construct. Such an approach divides rather than unifies. It categorizes and labels. The more we attempt to define people as members of groups, the more divided we become. Granted, such labeling may be “necessary” for quantification of society—i.e., demographics. But other than for statistical analyses, what good does it serve?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt made a statement nearly three-quarters of a century ago that remains relevant to our nation today. He said: “The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity – or it will move apart.”
We are as much each alike as we are different, and we are as much each different as we are alike. This is true diversity. It will be when we recognize this as a nation that we will at last stand united.
When you or I label someone according to one’s skin color, religion, ethnicity, gender, political views, etc., we rob one of his or her uniqueness and individual contribution. We stifle creativity and… well, diversity.
It may be a harsh comparison (but I will make it here), but when I consider the efforts to label diversity, I think of Jim Crow laws–i.e., the notion of “separate but equal”. It was wrong to segregate then, and it is just as wrong today. This, however, is just what is happening today—only it is not a legislative mandate.
We allow ourselves to be categorized and, thereby, relinquish our voice. We allow labels to define us rather than express our unique and (extra)ordinary self. Those who claim to speak for the marginalized (even though their intentions might be good), consequently, further limit the opportunities for those they purport to help. They do so by constructing walls that don’t exist. Likewise, those who prefer to keep others sidelined also construct barriers that don’t exist.
Our best hope is when we realize that everyone has a unique and necessary Purpose and contribution to make—and provide the means and opportunity to realize their Purpose. We will be our best as a society (and nation) when we see diversity as a good and vital thing—when we unite in diversity.
Carpe momento!
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”—Mattie Stephanek