Why The Notion of Valuing True Diversity is False And Unreal!

 

Many people who know me and my pioneering equality work in the UK might, in fact, fall off their chairs in some surprise! But that is the beauty of evolving in life from one stage to another. If we are learning, we are developing, and adding to our perspectives as we grow in knowledge and experience. 

 

Being on a holiday in Chicago by myself a few years ago allowed for a lot of free thinking time, and I believe the most profound thought I might have had on the whole trip was triggered by a comment from a member of an online diversity group I had joined. Some members had not taken kindly to comments by two other French members on the topic being discussed, and had blasted them for their views.

 

One member, in particular was so upset by this reaction, she wrote:

"I am very disenchanted with a group promoting 'diversity' that does not welcome diverse comments from its members, and does not stop to think that everyone may not be familiar with email etiquette."

 

She had made an excellent point which immediately gave me a new insight into my own work, as I had spent the last 18 years advocating diversity in very strong terms. Semi-retired from it now, it was easier to see the wood from the trees and appreciate that accepting true diversity, not the cosmetic form like our 'Black History Month' etc., actually comes with a cost for each group/ individual.

 

When that diversity encroaches on our specific values and traditions, questions our beliefs, or challenges what we cherish, it ceases to be attractive, it makes us defensive, and causes us to feel vulnerable and exposed.

 

 

A Genuine Fear of Difference 

The problem with a desire for diversity is that the ideal usually falls far short of the reality. We are basically selfish in our cultural and social needs, and genuinely fear difference. Hence diversity tends to be acceptable only when it conforms to our expectations, when it does not appear threatening, and also reinforces our own cultural perceptions and beliefs! Diversity is fine, but only from a detached and comfortable position that adheres to the status quo, as we each vigorously protect our own corners. When that diversity encroaches on our specific values and traditions, questions our beliefs, or challenges what we cherish, it ceases to be attractive, it makes us defensive, and causes us to feel vulnerable and exposed. In essence, the current notion of diversity as practised by the majority community in the UK, for example, is simply monoculturalism in a slightly extended form!

 

In fact, the whole concept of welcoming diversity is a false one because, for each species, gender, type, etc., to survive, as is, each has to protect its own culture. When it allows for genuine diversity to take effect, it has to accommodate, and even integrate, the culture, needs, and expectations of others, which then dilutes what was there in the first place. However, if the additional diverse entity is broadly similar, the reverse happens: it strengthens what was there originally, while giving it new perspectives.

 

What is pretty clear about acknowledging, appreciating, and valuing diversity in any genuine way is that each cultural group has to be prepared to respect other groups, accept parts of what they value, and even integrate some of their customs to accord that respect. But how many people are prepared to lose what they already have and hold dear to accommodate the expectations, traditions and beliefs of others? After all, we simply cannot appreciate, value, or celebrate what we are not prepared to practise ourselves.

 

For example, immigrant minorities in the UK are expected to learn English and be able to speak it, but having any knowledge of their language is not even addressed by the native majority population. This immediately negates an integral part of the immigrants' culture, while making their language appear irrelevant!

 

On the other hand, members of the majority can afford to deal with such diversity in a detached way, to pay lip service, in fact, while continuing with business as usual, because their culture, group, association etc., sets the standards, the laws, the politics, the goalposts, and even the protocol of acceptance for everyone else to follow.

 

 

Assimilating Majority Culture 

That is why, in any mixed society, genuine diversity has mainly been practised by minority groups. They have had to integrate, or assimilate, the majority culture in order to be accepted, respected and valued; to feel included and psychologically comfortable in their identity. On the other hand, members of the majority can afford to deal with such diversity in a detached way, to pay lip service, in fact, while continuing with business as usual, because their culture, group, association etc., sets the standards, the laws, the politics, the goalposts, and even the protocol of acceptance for everyone else to follow.

 

In essence, minority groups that crave inclusion practise diversity by having to accommodate aspects of majority culture, while members of the majority can take it or leave it, and are often untouched by it. That is the reality of 'true' diversity practice today, which makes the notion of genuine diversity an illusion.

 

The whole concept and promotion of diversity is a fine and noble one, but unless everyone is prepared to lose some of their cultural heritage and beliefs, true diversity will always remain a luxurious pipe dream, especially to majority groups with the power to avoid practising it, while being an imposition to minorities who are impotent to avoid its diluting and inevitably absorbing effects. This status quo will remain until there is a genuine desire by everyone in mixed societies to actively accommodate other cultures. In effect, moving beyond the words and empty rhetoric to practising the ideal as a routine part of life.

 

Author: The Essential Guide to Confidence 

#diversity #equality #leadership