Can a White Person Be a Diversity Leader?
By Luke Visconti
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DiversityInc 2007 ® All rights reserved. No article on this site can be
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Question:
I have been feeling a bit
frustrated lately. Here's my situation and I'm looking for some hope and sage
advice.
I am a white female and in a role
where diversity is a part of my job. The reason it is a part of my job is
because I've worked hard to make it so and because of a genuine passion and
interest in all things diversity including changing culture. My frustration lies
in the fact that lately my motives are being questioned and/or not being taken
genuinely (i.e., some people of color are not seeing me as credible or someone
who cares about making a difference, therefore, they don't really share their
true thoughts/ideas/etc.)
This frustration is leading me to
something I've never felt so strongly before. I wish in some regards I was black
(or of color) so that I could gain more respect and credibility with my peers.
The conflicting point of view I have is that I truly believe in diversity in the
highest sense of the word, meaning that just because you are a person of color
doesn't mean that you must have an interest in issues regarding people of color,
and that just because you are white doesn't mean that you don't care about
issues of equality, etc. In fact, the other argument I often hear is when a
person of color is working on diversity issues, it's just because of their
race.
So my question is this: How do we
get to a level of inclusion if it has to be one or the other? Please help before
I give up.
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Answer:
I don't think you need to change
your race to be accepted as credible on diversity issues.
My advice for white people who
care is simple:
1. Actions speak louder than
words. I am a trustee of Bennett College for Women (an HBCU) and a
foundation board member of NJCU (an HSI). Through our foundation, our
company donates money to both schools and Rutgers Newark (the most diverse
campus in America). We also donate ad space to many
good organizations.
2. Know what you're talking about.
I am constantly reading books to advance my knowledge. In addition to increasing
your cross-cultural knowledge, learn about the history of white people who have
fought for civil rights and freedom so you have a basis for
pride.
3. Regularly socialize with people
who are not in your own group—in your house.
4. Do not deny another person's
right to their own reality.
5. Never attempt to communicate in
vernacular. If you're white, BE white.
6. Understand there are jackasses
in all groups.
In the ten years we've been
publishing DiversityInc, I've found far more acceptance than I know my
counterparts (of color) find among white people. It's humbling. I would also say
that my experiences as a trustee of Bennett College for Women have been the most
collegial and rewarding of my professional life.
(See also: DiversityInc reader responses in What Our Readers Said About White People as Diversity Leaders)
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