Comments on: Ask the White Guy: Can a White Man Speak With Authority on Diversity?

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:54:14 +0000

Well said. How does someone who has never been discriminated against because of their skin color (nothing more and nothing less) explain that to anyone. How do you understand the feeling of this when it never has and probably never will happen to you. Whites can be disliked for various reasons, but Black people are disliked often on sight. At first glance, a Black person is often immediaely determined to be less than, not matter what the situation. q

By: Jonscott Williams

Jonscott Williams — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:07:51 +0000

The question itself indicates how often people conflate “race” – which is essentially, as it is presently used, a concept from the 17th century – diversity. And it is ironic that Americans (the “rugged individualists”) seem unable to recognize the many facets and factors that make up diversity.

Scott Brown’s recent dismissal of Elizabeth Warrens heritage – “Professor Warren claimed she was a Native American … and as you can see, she’s not.” – is unfortunately typical of the thinking (or lack of thinking) of too many people.

By: Keener Tippin

Keener Tippin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:11:02 +0000

Majority and Minority in this usage of the word is not referring to numbers but the group of people who control a disproportionate amount of the wealth, power, access and social status (majority) as opposed to people of color who dod not (minority).

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:09:53 +0000

The article brought up a good point. The group of police and fire chiefs had more diversity within than it would appear on the surface being 97% white male. In our soundbite culture, every group is reduced to a monolithic “they.” Be careful when you or any group is reduced to an all-encompassing “they,” “them,” or “those people,” in your presence (or in your mind).

By: Franklin E Rutledge

Franklin E Rutledge — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:17:43 +0000

Can a White man tell a Black man not to hate? Can a White man tell a Black man that he needs to get a job? Can a White man tell a Black man that he can be successful? Can a White man tell a Black man that he needs to take care of his family? Let’s not confuse the issue between telling a ‘person what is right, and telling him to do wrong.’ Of course a White person (man) can speak with authority on diversity. In
America who is better to fix the mess that the White Europeans have created. It is the White man! The Blacks can only appeal to the White man. The White man has the power to make a difference. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” (President Ronald Reagan).
The problem many have is that they don’t define truth as an absolute. Saying a White man can’t understand how it feels to be discriminated against is like saying, a White man can never speak the truth. It’s like saying, Franklin, you can’t put a splint on that person’s leg, because you’ve never had a broken leg. The truth is that the person has a broken leg and I know that the splint will help a person with a broken leg. Truth is the key here, not whether I have had a broken leg. The American Indians were lied to so many times by the White man, and when one told the truth they didn’t believe them until he put his life on the line. In the diversity issue, if truth is to be perceived for what it is, then the White man is the better one to put his life on the line.
Yes a White man or person can talk with authority on diversity issues. There are diverse issues among the Whites as well. What is the problem?

By: Carman Burney

Carman Burney — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:14:11 +0000

I thoroughly enjoy DiversityInc and all of the light is shines on humanity. Often times, we forget that we have many idiosyncrasies that challenge us to think differently about ourselves as well as others; however, we have to be mature enough to recognize then change our thought processes. Diversity, at all levels, is truly what makes the world so awesome! I too am over the “melting pot” flawed concept but I am totally in love with a great pot of stew where each ingredient maintains its unique color, texture and flavor when placed in the same cooking temperature.

By: Grannybunny

Grannybunny — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:49:11 +0000

My first job out of college began in 1969, as a White token in an all-Black office, located in an all-Black area in Dallas, Texas. Needless to say, it was a total education to me. I quickly realized that the racial segregation that was still so predominant had disadvantaged me, an Anglo female, just as it had disadvantaged the people of color who were its primary targets, although — obviously — in very different ways. The Black people with whom I worked, some of whom became life-long friends, knew all about White people and the majority culture. I, on the other hand, although highly-educated and open-minded, was largely ignorant of African-American culture and society. Without a doubt, I had the advantage over women of color when it came to opportunity, but was clearly disadvanted when it came to broader societal knowledge and insight. My entire life was transformed by the experience. Needless to say, I understand and appreciate the value of diversity, even though I am White.

By: Ought Thoughts

Ought Thoughts — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:28:57 +0000

Look at the leadership of this country. Its politics, its teachers, judges, lawyers, senators, cops…the power and access is still controlled by a generally homogeneous group.

By: Federico Forlano

Federico Forlano — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:46:28 +0000

Your last statement made me laugh out loud. I was at one time working retail when I got out of college. I was the only male most of the time working at a “big box” office supply store. I spent a good portion of my day doing heavy lifting because I was “able to”. I was always helping people load desks, chairs, computers, printers, boxes of paper etc. in their cars and always had to unload the truck delivery while still maintaining my regularly assigned job duties. I kept a smile the whole time, but to me it wasn’t a fair workload.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:14:50 +0000

I’d just like to thank you for including the “ADA-defined disability” point. Perhaps because “disabled people” are very difficult to box up neatly as a monolithic group (though really, if you look at it carefully, every group is this way–including the majority), disability (or “different ability” or however one refers to it) seems to be the “forgotten child” in discussions on diversity.