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Most Answered Questions of the Week: What You Said
By Aysha Hussain
June 25, 2007
Last week, DiversityInc asked our readers a handful of questions about diversity and inclusion, slavery reparations, interracial marriage, all-white campaign staffs and reasons why they would quit their jobs. Here's a look back at what they said.
1. Does it matter if we call it "diversity," "inclusion," or anything else? What do you think?
When I use the word "diversity" I want an individual to know that I am speaking to their uniqueness rather than "including" them in a group of likeness. Diversity means depth and breadth, where inclusion means a part of something (narrow). Where the word diversity is inclusive of an individual's uniqueness, calling it inclusion would be limited to those of "a" particular likeness.
—Annetta Salley
Diversity/inclusion is good, but I like "being with other people" or just "being."
—Steve Snook
It matters to me. Inclusion goes beyond level diversity and hearing a range of perspectives. Diversity is a greater variety of people struggling for inclusion. For me, it's the difference between quantity and quality. We fight to get to the table and then we fight to be heard.
—Beatrice R. Lopez
I think that the word "diversity" is more neutral than the world "inclusion." Inclusion means there is "exclusion." Not because I ignore that there may be or is exclusion, however. I like the use of more neutral or positive words that do not associate with negative. I believe that the neutral or positive words better help to gain support or buy-in and prevent any polarization. "Diversity" or "encouraging diversity" sounds much better, helps much better.
—Basak Bayar
(See also: Diversity or Inclusion? Does It Matter What You Call It?)
2. Should descendants of slaves receive reparations?
One hundred percent yes. We did not ask Anglo-Saxon people to enslave our ancestors, rape them, kill them ... they were treated less than animals, and to this day we are (under cover) still treated that way.
—Ouida Spencer
I think that reparations should be paid. I think they are long overdue. I think descendants of slaves should receive reparations. I think it is inevitable that one day reparations will be paid so it is something that supporters should get together on and come up with ... study groups to brainstorm the questions and come up with recommendations that will be a basis for a solution that will not break the United States government and that will be fair to all. I don't think it is too soon to begin the process of developing a plan.
—Jane Tunning
The cost of unpaid labor for millions of slaves over 300 years should be calculated; damages for the millions who died on the slave ships from Africa to the West should be calculated; the cost of the gold, diamonds, rubber and other riches taken out of Africa should be calculated; the cost of rape, abuse, brutal beatings should be calculated; the cost of being relegated to second-class citizenship during the years since slavery was abolished should be calculated; the effects of second-class education, housing, etc., should be calculated. The cost of 27 years of forced labor for Mandela should be calculated, for the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Emmett Till should be calculated. They are all fruits of the same tree. Slavery was a communal injustice on an international scale, and any reparations paid should benefit the international black community as well.
—Evelyn Houston
Reparations are not the answer—a good, healthy, realistic affirmative-action program is. If African Americans were regarded and extended the same privileges, concessions and respect that every other citizen from every other country, ethnicities from every corner of the earth, have been accorded, there would be no need to even discuss reparations. People will be quick to say the African Americans brought this upon [themselves] but it doesn't take a genius to understand that when a person has a foot on his throat, it is hard to speak or act—the only thing you can do is react. As much as I love my country, we have done a pretty good job of portraying the African American so that they are perhaps one of the most despised groups in the world. When people hear about Colin Powell or Barack Obama, instead of being an example of who and what we really are, they are viewed as anomalies.
—Burney Starks
People need education and support in helping themselves rather than just handing a pile of money to someone and expecting it to somehow make their lives better or help them long term.
—Denny Stone
(See also: Who Is Apologizing for Slavery?)
3. Interracial marriage: Would you marry someone of a different race? Why or why not?
Yes. We are all members of the human race, and different ethnicities should not be the only deciding factor.
—Jennifer Brown
I see nothing wrong in interracial marriage. It's not about ethnicity or color. It is about two people who grow in love, respect and devotion to each other.
—Rochelle Tinsley
I believe that Christians should proliferate with Christians based on the teachings of the Bible. I also believe that ethnic groups have a responsibility to preserve their ethnicity by marrying and reproducing within their ethnicity. The wealth of the African American will be lost if African-American men continue to marry outside the race. Most people who are for interethnic marriage think only of themselves, and not of the preservation of their culture. I am not a bigot, but I am called to a higher responsibility beyond my selfish wants. I love my African-American wife, and it is my responsibility to preserve the heritage of my people by reproducing young Christian African Americans.
—G. Clayton
No. American society judges people based on color of skin and culture differences. If one marries for love, they will have to fight to maintain their marriage. Some family members do not support culture difference. However, children suffer from interracial marriages and may have an identity problem.
—Hope Edmonds
(See also: Which Races Intermarry Most? 40th Anniversary of Loving Case, and What You Said About Interracial Marriage, and Interracial Marriage: Our Readers Can't Stop Talking About It)
4. Would you vote for a politician who had an all-white campaign staff?
It would have to depend on why the staff was all white. If the candidate were running in the area I live now, I would have to say no because there are many qualified blacks and other minorities who shouldn't be excluded. If the candidate were running in the part of northwest New Jersey where I used to live, I would. At that time there were very few minorities in most of the areas of that county. I think the smart thing to do, in today's environment, is to have a diverse organization consisting of the best people who can be found. An all-white organization would/should raise questions as to why.
—Raymond Wood
Just because someone has an all-white or black or yellow or whatever-color campaign staff doesn't mean they are racist. I would look at the politician's record and their campaign itself. Some people read too much into these things and seem to be looking for something to be offended over, instead of looking at the real meat of the matter.
—Tim Gill
No. Who we hire and work with reflect our values, and anyone who does not value and honor diversity is not fit to lead our nation.
—Keith Hirata
(See also: Whose Presidential Campaign Is Worst for Diversity?)
5. What diversity-related issues would make you quit your job?
As an out lesbian, atheist with an interracial child, several things would push me to the edge. The two things that have driven me to leave an employer have been a hostile, homophobic environment and pushy Christians who cannot accept my right to freedom of religion (or lack thereof).
—Melissa Blakley
(See also: Should I Quit? My Boss Wants to Exclude Blacks From Ads)
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