There IS positive benefit from a diverse group of colleagues. There have been instances in my line of work where the perspective of a colleague from outside the US made a difference. Indeed, I attended a seminar where all of us folks from the "developed economies" saw a risky project but the folks from the "emerging markets" saw opportunity. We hashed it out, professionally. It gave me a new perspective.
Years ago when I was working in Manhattan, Danny Glover made a stink about how a black man can't get a cab. I thought he was full of it. A few days later, when walking with a very good black friend, I saw it happen with my own eyes. My friend didn't rant and rave (I did), he made a comment, and tried to catch another cab. That, too, gave me a perspective I'd NEVER have absent my black friend.
Again, this was in NYC. You basically have more unforced diversity there than most other places. I believe my life has been enriched by that diversity. But that was voluntary. And it was organic. Seeing that cabbie blow past my black friend was WAAAAY more "awakening" than any stupid presentation by a white professional woman opportunist (more on her later).
Diversity cuts both ways....I also saw lots of leftists in NYC et al and, WOW they are messed up. Just like my cabbie experience hardened me, experiencing left wing violence but being told it's "mostly peaceful frustration" hardened me.
Many people never left where I grew up. They're not racist. They hold certain positions and views to which I don't subscribe. They'd probably feel different if they experienced my cabbie episode. They probably consider me a liberal in certain regards (though they probably consider me a scary right-wing radical on homeschoooing etc.). But we aren't at each other's throats.
In contrast, A LOT of the DEI stuff in corporate America is really stupid and FORCED. I've seen reprehensible presentations by opportunists like Robin DiAngelo that do nothing but make you check your email and tune out at best. That kind of nonsense isn't diversity - it's shaking the jar with the employee's being the red and black ants.
If I have a job opening in my business, I DO see value in canvassing a wide swath of candidates. But if the job is, say, for a pastry chef, I want to see if you can make pastry.
I don’t think that was “an unpopular” post. I pretty much agree with all that you posted. I just don’t think that DEI programs are about reducing discrimination. DEI seems to be about justifying discrimination in the way the left wants to discriminate. Just look at what happens when a conservative is invited to speak on a college campus. There is no tolerance for diversity of opinion. I once saw Charlton Heston speak at CU-Boulder. That was quite an experience seeing the “tolerance” of the left up close and personal.
“this was in NYC. You basically have more unforced diversity there than most other places. I believe my life has been enriched by that diversity.”
I was offered many jobs in NYC over the years, and turned down all of them.
The “unforced diversity” has a dark side.
Many decades ago it was a young woman I dated a couple of times (who lived in the city) who taught me about it.
At one point she said she had been raped—and then shocked me when she said “it was no big deal”.
“Most pretty young women in the city get raped”.
This is not a place for decent humans to work—or to live.
To be precise, though we agree most generally, the "diverse group" should be a diverse group of those who 1) can disagree, and "show their work" as to why they disagree, and 2) can consider more than two views, "yes" and "no" not being conducive to business. More than one way to skin the proverbial cat, 'tis said.
My wife and I read a very broad and diverse set of sources, and double check each other when a question is to be considered. The duality of "right and wrong" are the proper province of religion, and not business.
Indeed the pastry chef need prove he can confect pastries. Oddly so many politicians, bureaucrats, academics and party apparatchiks are severely allergic to "showing their work" and demonstrating a policy or strategy by its outcomes. This is why our nation seems awash in slogans and jargon and "shut-up."
The "enemy of my enemy" is not always a friend. Sometimes one has more than one enemy, and both can be dangerous though they too rage against each other as well. What seems certain though is "stupid and forced" are not are attributes of good policy, clear thinking or basic human kindness.
Best regards.