Comments for DiversityInc

Comment on Should Black Women Straighten Their Hair or Lighten Their Skin? by Berince Watson

Berince Watson — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:27:56 +0000

Black women should do whatever they want once they are aware that none of that stuff will make them “not black”. Like other women Black women like to beautify themselves and they should have the freedom to do so without judgement.

Comment on Ask the White Guy: What I Know About the Rutgers Situation by Stu G.

Stu G. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:09:10 +0000

When the pre-eminent coaches of both the Syracuse and Duke basketball teams were interviewed about this matter, they boldly stated, to their knowledge, that this has “never” happened before. Oh really! There you go…the fraternity bond is stronger than reason and common sense…very sad indeed.

Comment on Ask the White Guy: What I Know About the Rutgers Situation by Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:49:46 +0000

The fact that I've put all this coverage in my own publication is ample evidence that I'm holding myself and my university accountable. Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc

Comment on Ask the White Guy: What I Know About the Rutgers Situation by Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:46:42 +0000

I know Tim and I know you're not right about that. Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc

Comment on Ask the White Guy: What I Know About the Rutgers Situation by Kevin Canessa Jr.

Kevin Canessa Jr. — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:28:17 +0000

There are few words that are more appropriate here than thank you. Thank you, Luke, for being a voice of reason here — and for being one of the few voices that have made any sense at all throughout this ordeal.

Comment on Should Black Women Straighten Their Hair or Lighten Their Skin? by Charity Dell

Charity Dell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:00:13 +0000

Your choice of workplace (assuming you have such a thing as “choice” these days!) also determines how you can look or dress for work. For example, most school districts in urban areas have a greater variety of “ethnic looks” permitted teachers and other staff–most urban districts will not penalize workers for ethnic hairstyles or religious head gear (turbans, yarmulkes, headscarves, etc.)

However, many school districts will not hire ANY candidate that shows up with GREY HAIR–despite all their posted signs displaying federal anti-discrimination laws. In the education industry, you are still competing with the cute, young slender pretty and/or handsome things coming out of college/graduate
school–and you better NOT look your age if you expect to be hired by a school board. This is how much the broadcast media image of “Barbie-Ken dolls” has permeated other American workplaces….and to everyone’s detriment!

Comment on Should Black Women Straighten Their Hair or Lighten Their Skin? by Charity Dell

Charity Dell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:44:53 +0000

Our society pressures EVERYONE–including African-americans–to “do something” about how they look–even when unnecessary! How many Asian/Euro women spend millions of dollars on curly perms and body perms? How many Euro-american women get melanoma and other cancers trying desperately to “add color” to their skin–the same color they despise on African-americans? How many women ADD harmful chemical implants to imitate Black bustlines and derrieres? How many women of Asian descent get surgery to alter their eyes to “Western” looks?
American society basically teaches everyone that, even if they are HEALTHY and have a GOOD body mass index, it’s NEVER ENOUGH!

Comment on Should Black Women Straighten Their Hair or Lighten Their Skin? by Charity Dell

Charity Dell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:35:55 +0000

Hear, hear! I’m glad you mentioned these points! The “broadcast media” powers-that-be have apparently determined that EVERYONE must:

1. Be slender, with near-perfect to perfect bodies and perfectly proportioned shapes–so all you medium-to-big-boned folks and heavier-busted folks NEED NOT APPLY;

2. Have tiny little Barbie-doll noses–look at all the female news anchors with re-designed noses crafted by surgeons;

3. Have straight BLONDE hair, unless you’re a male, in which case, you are allowed to be BRUNETTE or even
AUBURN-HAIRED. Notice that most female anchors (who are natural brunettes)have all kinds of blonde frosting, tipping and streaking to go with their brown and black ROOTS.

Unfortunately, too many workplaces have swallowed the
“Barbie-Ken-Skipper-Alan-Midge” image, and do reject candidates who do not have anorexic bodies and salon
“makeovers.”

Comment on Ask the White Guy: What I Know About the Rutgers Situation by Marc Chartier

Marc Chartier — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:07:06 +0000

Luke, I would like to know what you are going to do to not be ‘fooled’? I believe that governance on the part of ‘Trust’ees and Board members includes truth seeking and asking questions. I would have been tremendously encouraged had the call for accountability originated with leadership of Diversity Inc.

Comment on Ask the White Guy: What I Know About the Rutgers Situation by Bruce C

Bruce C — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:49:52 +0000

As you pointed out, Luke, this is far from the end of the discussion. These biases are sadly baked in to athletics culture in high schools everywhere. That’s where I’d most like to see intervention and action — especially on behalf of the coaches and sponsors who do get it, who lead with character and are real role models for our kids, and who don’t deserve to be smeared when something like this pops up. Some of this will by systemic, such as the types of actions and policies affected by the committees you’re on, and some will be cultural and need to be addressed differently at the grassroots. But good people everywhere are going to have to stand up and say Enough.