October 18th, 2006
Diversity
Here is a word that was not used much until affirmative action came into play for corporate America. Diversity replaced quotas, a word we do not much hear any more. Is diversity a good thing? Do we embrace it? Most white males think diversity means some one else. They are not diverse. Through inclusion, we have learned that diversity, means more than race or gender. Some people are tall, short, liberal, conservative, hip, square, you get the point.
Saying all of that to say this, for blacks in business, diversity is both a opportunity to exhibit our greatness and a reason for doubt from the dominant race. We only get hired, promoted and tolerated because we are black. A black woman is a 2 for.
Great win by DaDa Bears on Monday night. I stopped a tavern to talk about some football. A white male engineer ask me about my executive recruiting business. For some reason and as he put it, not wanting to offend me, he explained, blacks in corporate America have an advantage over whites especially black women. He explained how during recent years, when he was employed by one of Chicago area top employers, he saw blacks not nearly as talented as him get further along. We discussed this topic but, I am bias and never has felt my blackness was a competitive advantage over white men. I told this worldly and intelligent white male, I could line up Blacks that would feel differently. So I want your feedback on this topic, programs like affirmative action are meant to overcome discrimination and provide an opportunity for more blacks in business. Yet, some high achieving whites feel , it represents, reverse discrimination. What is your opinion, lets debate this.
October 18th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
What amazes me is that you could draw this out of a complete stranger. Does this happen often?
I may live in a cave, but I didn’t even know affirmative action still existed in the corporate world. Another thing your barber has going for him. ..control over his own destiny.
Seriously, is this real? if so, what’s the right strategy for black people who find themselves working in this environment?
October 19th, 2006 at 10:10 am
Wow! great insight, affirmatitive action is more of a political tool than a corporate priority. yes, some companies have made inroads but most are worst off today than they were 10, 20 or 30 years ago. The entire marketing of this issue is done in a way to ofend conservatives. “We have to hire some blacks and hispanics. I use to say,”if that is all you want, you can find that on the corner. It is better to hire the best talent, and do not let race play a factor. For far too long and even with today’s programs, many minorities are elimanated because of their skin color.
As, Black people, we must strive to be what our parents told us, twice as good, performance can provide opportunties, and race provides an additional barrier that can be overcommed. We need a sense of community support to encourage each other to go for the brass ring.
Hard work is not a stranger in black communities, our fore fathers worked hard for free and dreamed of a better life for us.The blog wants to share stories of people, like my barber that are winning. I would love to hear from some HR professionals on this topic. Thank you for your comment.
October 20th, 2006 at 10:40 am
Been there, done that! As one of ten Blacks in a management position with a major automotive manfacturer, that employed 5000 whites in the same position, I was merely there for statistics. Though for six years
I either led or was in the top ten of sales obectives for the entire country, in every corporate program, hard work and being twice as good as “them” only made them feel more inadequate. It was easier for them to hire a few under- achievers to feel there quotas.
But, it never stopped me from striving to show “them” blacks can achieve in the corporate world!
October 22nd, 2006 at 3:43 pm
In my own opinion and experience, Affirmative Action does not exist whithin my area of work. I am in the sport journalism medium and I have yet to see any prominent positions such as, publishers and editors being taken over by minorities or women. Within the state of Maryland there are very few Black journalist and only one Black sports talk show host. Affirmative Action does not exist in a number of areas in sports unless you play a sport or retired from it. I worked a number of years at a local home infusion pharmacy and they had never exercised Affirmative Action when there were plenty of qualified Black workers who dedicated their time and performed at a very high level in making sure the business was successful. This business was mainly run by white males with a sprinkle of white women heading the few supervisor positions. It reminded me of how the film industry was back in the day when you never saw Blacks on the screen and when you saw white women they were mostly verbally abused more than anything. Nevertheless, they may have had one or two lower end team leaders who happened to be Black but that was based on giving that individual a pay increase of 50 cents which is like giving a dog a bone saying good job boy…..good job. Affirmative Action is a joke because it is more of a myth than a right. Overall, the only way to make a change is to start demanding more Black ownership.
October 22nd, 2006 at 4:26 pm
In France, most of black people are against affirmative action.
We’re aware of racism and exclusion , but we prefer not being hired because we are black but because of our competences.
Cheers and welcome in the blogosphere
October 22nd, 2006 at 5:55 pm
This is a controversial and an important topic.I agree with Osmany’s comment; although,In the US, most black people are for Affirmative action. I for 1 am. Having said that, I agree with the opinions from leaders as diverse as The Nation of Islam, to the current White house. Lets judge people on their qualifications, and we as black people must do for ourselves and not depend on big goverment programs. Lets come up with insights to do that.
October 22nd, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Sean and Bruce hit on 2 industries that Black people support but appear to have not benifited in large numbers from diversity programs. “Big Auto,” inside the plant and on the line, we have good black representation, Bruce kicked ass as a salesman and yet made the power structure uncomfortable. I wonder if their are black achievers out there that can advise. I have had the same experience. Sean, the world of sports would not have the richness of excitment without black stars. Yet the folks that tell their stories are mostly white. Same as in the frount office. Is that why as a player Larry Bird got a free ride while scores of black stars have experienced media lynchings.
October 29th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
An important conversation indeed! You hit the nail squarely in the first paragraph — and I wish more would see diversity as such, including educational backgrounds; thought process and work experience.
Unfortunately, that’s not the crux of the conversation.
Diversity is a crutch for several people - no matter the background or present situation.
While it’s difficult at times - as leaders, it’s our responsibility to behave and operate above the crutch. By doing so, maybe we can lead others away from discriminating towards any kind of differences. At our core, we’re all the same, no?
An aside: What a great start to blogging and what I hope is a long and ongoing conversation. Stay contagious!
October 29th, 2006 at 11:04 pm
Thank you for your comments, this topic is important to understand and for us to grow from. We must move pass race in order for our work force to reach it’s full potential. We have not learned to have useful dialog on this subject. Some of the most compelling conversatione I have enjoyed with a white person on the topic of race was in South Africa.keep in touch
January 17th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
I have learn much from reading this conversation as it brings out several views.
We definitely needed affirmative action and it helped many African-Americans, Latinos and women enter places where they formerly found a closed door.
Now it’s time to build more on brainpower and make the most of folks’ unique gifts and talents. As we begin to respect what other people can do, we get beyond race. But folks need opportunity to “strut” the gifts. If each leader enables that at his workplace, things can change. But it begins with me.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Robyn, you are right on with your comment.We have a shortage of skilled workers, and soon talent not discrimination, or affirimative action, will be the hiring factor. We must prepare ourselves for the future opportunities by being well educated and committed to being the best at what we do.Thank you for your insights
January 20th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Diversity and Marketing…
I got to read a post on Diversity with a new friend of mine, J.D. Walton. J.D. has launched a blog that markets to Blacks in Business. He’s an American success story and wants to share his experience with others.
It got me stirred up so much th…