Diversity Will be Our Saving Grace
June 19th, according to the History.com site, “marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.”
I’ll admit, I never heard of this important day until this past week, but I plan to take the day off of work and participate in some activities around Diversity and Inclusion that day.
This year, 2020, Juneteenth, as it is knowns, will have a very significant meaning with all the unrest going on in the United States due to the death of George Floyd and numerous others before him. If one watches the news, it seems like a dire situation, as if the world is getting worse and becoming less tolerant.
I still have hope, here is why.
If you take a look at this video of Police officers dancing the ‘Cupid Shuffle’ with protestors as well as this video of National Guard members dancing with protestors in Atlanta, take a look at the people in the crowd. What do you notice? The people are all different colors. Which is why I titled this article ‘Our Diversity Will Be Our Saving Grace’. We are fortunate to live in a country with many races and nationalities, therefore, we have the opportunity to learn from one another.
Knowledge is Power.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I experienced growing up in a melting pot with all races and nationalities from all over the planet. I loved it, I learned so much from every single one of them. I learned about their food, culture, their lives before coming to the US or before coming to LA, it was fascinating. I lived through these people, given the fact that I did not travel much when i was younger. Most of all, I learned that all of these people were more similar to me than different. All of them cried, laughed, were scared, had good times and tough times, just like me.
The United States, when you travel around it, seems like it is comprised of mini countries. The South has different food and culture than the West for example, different ways of talking and so on. But the great thing is, we are all part of the SAME country.
Diversity will be our saving grace.
I recall working for a company in the past that I will not name. They created a device that was collectively deemed a failure after it was launched. It sold less than 1000 units, but was touted as being a ground breaking device before its launch. Why was it such a failure? In my opinion, it was not only aesthetically unpleasing, but it was useless, I literally had no use for it due to there being many other products on the market that offered what it did and more. How did this happen? In my opinion, it was a lack of diversity that went into the creation of this product. A group of select few had an idea, did not care to collaborate, and went on to create one of the most rejected products they ever produced. That lesson taught me that diversity plays a part in making EVERYTHING stronger including products at work. I truly believe had there been multiple opinions from a diverse group of people, that collective knowledge would have made something great. To look at this in another way, think of the process of metal strengthening called ‘Precipitation hardening’. This mechanism dissolves intermetallic compounds that then UNITE as a solid form to form a stronger metal.
Finally, remember that this country is still a toddler, its 200 years old and some change. What do toddlers do when they are angry? They have a temper tantrum, that is what is happening here. Some people fear that something is about to be taken away from them, but as the great author Malcolm Gladwell would say “We have reached a Tipping Point”. Change is coming no matter what. To make a surfing analogy, you are either going to ride this wave or get swept away by it, I suggest riding it. We need to remember the people who have died for these causes and make a positive change in memorial of them and for our loved ones.
So don’t lose hope, go out and make a positive change, and get ready for the greatest dance party the world as ever seen!!!