Diversity: It’s Culture Not Race That Matters
In my practice as a consultant, trainer, and coach I have often had to address the subject of “Diversity”. It has been my experience that, when asked to consult or train on the topic and even in coaching situations, when people talk about “diversity”– the need to appreciate it; the need to value it—they really have no idea what they are asking for.
What invariably comes up are the issues of Racism, Stereotypes, Ethnocentrism and Political Correctness. In my opinion you cannot handle the topic of “diversity” appropriately unless you are going to take a long hard look at all these issues with an open mind.
In discussing, with my clients, their “needs” around diversity what often times becomes clear is this: they are not interested in “diversity”, true diversity, what they want is “political correctness” If that is what they settle on and I cannot move them off that idea I end the relationship with the client. To put it bluntly I don’t do “politically correct” and neither should you.
If however, the client is willing to explore the elements of diversity and desires to move towards a better understanding of true diversity, I’m willing to work with them on the subject and assist them in the implementation diversity initiatives in their organizations or, in the case of coaching clients, their lives.
When dealing in the realm of diversity whether in large or small businesses or private coaching session with individuals I try to educate them to define their terms to avoid confusion and so that they can gain an appreciation for the depths of the issues.
Defining the Terms
Diversity is, simply put, being different. In the realm of people it is the recognition or acknowledgment that people are different. There should be no value judgment in the term “diversity”. Different is just different, no better, no worse, just different.
Any other definition of diversity, in my opinion, is over reaching.
Racism is defined as, the belief that people of different races have different qualities, traits and abilities that are inherent to the individuals of that race and that some of these races are inherently superior or inferior because of the qualities, traits and abilities.
Racism as used today almost always implies animosity and/or hatred toward other races.
Stereotype is defined as, an overbroad generalization or portrayal of a group of individuals that is usually based on traits, behaviors, attitudes or other observable actions.
This over generalization is usually due to a lack of information, misinformation, mischaracterization or misunderstanding of one or more of the behaviors or traits attributed to the group to which the individuals belong.
Looks, dress, cultural activities, foods, recreational activities, religion all play a roll in the development of stereotypes.
Ethnocentrism is defined as, the assumption/belief that my/”our” way of thinking and acting is naturally superior to any other.
When we believe that the actions, traditions, culture, or whatever else our ethnic group or “our group”(whatever that group is) practices is superior to another group, we then see ourselves and our culture as the measure of what is right, good and desirable.
Politically Correct being defined as: conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend someone’s political sensibilities (as in matters of sex, race, or anything else) should be eliminated. (politically correct. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.)
With the terms out in the open you can begin to have a frank and honest discussion about the issues that you are facing.
What many people mistake for racism is actually stereotyping or ethnocentrism. I’m not saying true racism doesn’t exist, it does. However, what usually comes in to play is not racism. The tenants of racism are provably false and should be rejected by every human being. When it comes to stereotypes and ethnocentrism the issues are more complicated and require a good deal of honesty and discussion to bring them out and clear the air.
Stereotypes have their basis in observation. The behaviors, attitudes, and actions of a person or group of people are observable. The problem that arises is twofold.
First, the observation is run through the perceptions of the individual making the observation which are often colored by their own ethnocentric beliefs. This leads to the filtering of all that observed information through a culture mindset and practices that may not understand what it is observing and lead to faulty conclusions.
The second problem is with the application. Individuals that stereotype other use a broad brush to apply their understanding of an entire group, class, or ethnic band and thereby cover the whole group. Instead of limiting their conclusions to the sampling of the person/group they observed they apply their conclusions to the entire class of individuals they believe belong to that group.
Those who make use of stereotypical thinking and those who decry the use of stereotypical thinking fail to realize that actions, attitudes, and behaviors are often culturally based. It is not always a rejection of the people of a race or an ethnic group in part or as a whole, it is the culture of that group with its norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors that are being rejected. This is not racism it is ethnocentrism.
When ethnocentric thinking is practiced on a marco scale we will tend to think that all cultures are inferior to our culture (beliefs, values, norms, and behaviors). After all if we didn’t think our culture was the best we wouldn’t practice those things …would we? And if our way is the best all other ways are “inferior”, and if those ways are “inferior” then the people that follow those ways are also “inferior” in some way. So those who would decry ethnocentrism on a macro scale, who consider themselves more enlightened, strive to reach the moral high ground by denouncing it and advocate that diversity demands that we appreciate the “differences” and accept all cultures … but wait.
We all tend to practice ethnocentric thinking on a “micro” scale. We all grew up with certain family traditions around vacations, holiday celebrations, birthday, etc. If the “traditions” were good ones, that is if they were enjoyable to us, we tend to keep them and look at other who don’t practice them or won’t adopt them as “unenlightened” and perhaps even a little culturally “poorer” for it.
No one escapes ethnocentric thinking. On some level everyone believes their “culture” is superior in some way to the cultures of other. Doubt me? Consider this.
- How do you view the “diverse” cultures in Africa that excise the clitoris of young girls, the practice of which is carried out in the name of social, cultural, and religious reasons? Do you really see those cultures that practice female genital mutilation on par with yours?
- Do you really believe the Muslim cultures that demand that women be covered from head to toe in order to avoid the sexual temptation of men and that demands those women play a subservient role to men to be just as good as yours?
- Do you consider those cultures that allow, even encourage or accept honor killings of females that have “disgraced” or “dishonored” the family just as acceptable as yours?
- How about the culture that allows 60 year old men to take multiple wives or 14 year olds as brides, are you accepting of that culture?
Aren’t those cultures just as good as yours? Shouldn’t they have equal footing and protection like yours? Odds are that you don’t and if you do you have real issues you need to address … immediately.
The logical conclusion of those who hold that “in diversity we find our strength” and that “our differences should be valued” often fail to consider the seamier side of what their position on diversity demands. Those proponents of diversity, to be consistent, must accept it all, value it all equally, and encourage it all.
My points are simple:
- We all form stereotypical thoughts and we often laugh at stereotypes because many of them are funny. Comedy routines are regularly based on stereotypes about how certain individuals or groups of individuals act or behave. Black, White, Asian, Indian, male, female, teeny boppers, senior citizens, jock, cheerleaders, frat boys, lawyers, the list goes on and on and all are targets for stereotypical thinking.
- Everyone practices ethnocentrism on some level. We all think we are beliefs, customs, and social mores, are superior to another’s, at least on some level. That does not make you evil. That does not make you a racist.
- The appeal for a type of diversity that “accepts” and “appreciates” all cultures is ill conceived and not practiced even by its most ardent proponents. When it is, it will lead to no values, no sense of right or wrong, with everything accepted for the sake of “diversity”. Pray that day never comes.
It is an individual’s values and beliefs that make up their culture. Culture is an indicator of how people will tend to behave or act. Cultural norms help to give individuals identity, are often deeply held, and are not easily given up. Understanding these things can help both individuals and businesses to function effectively in a “multicultural” environment.
What to learn more about true diversity contact Emmett@nextmovecoaching.com