It’s award season, golden globes, sag, Oscars, blah, blah, blah. So, what about you create your own awards. Reflect back over the last year, what are the things you feel a sense of accomplishment. Of these things, what are the three things you could be nominated for an award? Who would be in your field of contenders?
Diversity is the inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races, ages, cultures, etc.) in a group or organization. Look at your field of contenders. Is it diverse? It’s a mistake to say awards in the arts, political leadership, representation in media, trends towards the majority population. If that were true, women would have equal representation in many areas, such as CEO, which are currently non-existent. Often the term, grassroots movement is needed.
Grassroots is defined as the common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file. One anecdote offered for lack of diversity is a grassroots movement. This exercise was an approach to look at grassroots and your own field of diversity.
Last week, when questioned about the value of the Iowa caucus and a lack of diversity¹, the person interviewed said, well, we’re diverse in our hearts. In the US, 75% of white Americans have no friends of another race. None. While we may decry a “lack of diversity” during awards season, are we really looking at a reflection of the current state of the union? Are the institutions responsible, or does true change originate at a grassroots level. This week, consider, your influence on diversity.
¹Iowa Demographics
White: 90.28% Black or African American: 3.51% Asian: 2.40% … Native American: 0.37%
Balancing on Unstable Surfaces 