Luke Visconti’s Ask the White Guy column is a top draw on Fair360.com. Visconti, the founder and CEO of Fair360, formerly DiversityInc, is a nationally recognized leader in diversity management. In his popular column, readers who ask Visconti tough questions about race/culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability and age can expect smart, direct and disarmingly frank answers.
Question:
I want to begin by saying I am intrigued on a weekly basis reading “Ask the White Guy.” Most people would avoid this kind of thing like the ghetto itself, yet you willingly invite folks to ask you tough questions. My question is simple … why do you care All the points that you make (over and over and more eloquently every time) seem like a lot of work for you. It can’t make you popular among your family and friends, so why do you do it
Answer:
I staked my life on this subject when I founded Fair360, formerly DiversityInc nine years ago. It’s everything I do–my entire professional life is on the line. There isn’t a long list of potential employers for middle-aged failed entrepreneurs.
Why do I do this It’s meaningful and important work. I believe this subject to be of central importance to the continued success of America–and I believe our country is a beacon for human rights in the world. I understand that our country is not perfect and never has been–but in my opinion, this subject pushes our society to a better place. I feel that business provides a much stronger lever arm for change than any other in our society–therefore, “Fair360, formerly DiversityInc.”
It is also a subject upon which I learn new things every week. Revelations, epiphanies, new horizons–this is not the average job.
My friends are very happy with what I do, or they’re not my friends, are they
By the way, our office is in an “urban” setting and I’ve lived in “the ghetto.” A lot of people don’t know what they’re missing.
