Reply #120: overlooking groups

[Two Americas]

It is not so much a matter of overlooking groups, nor a matter of nominating a person merely because they are from a group.

The problem is that talent is too often overlooked. Racism and sexism and bigotry deprive all of us of an immense talent pool, and of the services of those who had to fight the hardest and swim upstream to get to the same level. We need to be cautious about statements that suggest that diversity means less talent, or a favor to "them."

We should not promote the idea that we can have either diversity OR the most talented people. The more people we include for consideration, the more talent becomes available. Since people who are not from the dominant group are held to higher standards and need to work harder to get the same recognition, and since they are under-employed when compared to those in the dominant social group, we should - and do - find more talent and better talent among women and people of color and GLBTQ people. White hetero makes have more opportunities and an easier path to success.

Diversity means more quality and better talent.

Making the safe choices - from the dominate group - means less quality and less talent.


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