Correlated Facts, Science, and
Observations of Life
An Actionable DEI Insight ... White Males
Overview
A Definition of "Privilege" … When something isn't considered a problem because one perceives that a particular or set of issues don't have direct personal impact.
There is significant confusion, discord, anger, and outright opposition by members of dominant cultures (specifically white American).
The unifying human goal proposed is to be intentional in ensuring that ALL individuals have an equal opportunity (as opposed to guarantees of equal outcomes) to enjoy both their full rights as citizens AND fair opportunities to reach their human potential, personally and professionally.
Most importantly is treating people with both empathy and decent human respect.
The most surprising, troubling, confusing, and worrisome part, and at the risk of sounding cliché, is I have more than my fair share of white friends and colleagues. People with whom I've literally gone to war (corporate setting), and they don't want to hear about equity or to be bothered by it.
I'm talking about good people. They just don't want to hear about it …
As a set of examples, and as a streamlined set of narratives, I've had friends, acquaintances, and colleagues express the following sample of sentiments to me:
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- "There is no future career growth here for middle aged white males …"
- "… I feel like this community is becoming a third world nation …
- " … We need to take our country back!"
- " … All this [DEI] stuff pertains to history. This shouldn't affect me …"
- "When will it be time to just get over it …"
- "She only got the job because of affirmative action"
- "He should be grateful ..."
- "They should stop playing the part of a victim"
- "He's not technical ..."
- "He's too technical ..."​​
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The shallowness of human thinking, no matter how educated or sophisticated the speaker, never ceases to amaze me.
I recently talked to a longtime white, retired friend that essentially said (I'll paraphrase him) " … I have mine, I'm not motivated by team and "community" goals, I'm not black and can't put myself in your position, and I really don't want to hear about it …"
In summary and in the context (and with the caveat of generalizing about a group) there is nothing but shallow obligatory empathy expressed.
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Ah yes! Then they act surprised at the ambient hate the feel when they find themselves in a non-dominant culture neighborhood or setting … where they are not in the majority!
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They are no fans of the mistrust and hate that they hate created ...
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By the way … all members of non-dominant culture recognize the body language represented by things like smirks and smiles made while avoiding eye contact … especially when shared in knowing glances with other members of dominant cultures.
Just an example of low E.Q. ("Emotional Quotient"), low growth Mindset.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
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Martin Luther King Jr.
First of all, we are all (as a human species) concerned, if not fearful of change. It is part of our inherited makeup and survival instincts to fear the new and unknown.
We should also accept that these negative social influences have been accumulated and practiced over human history.
The danger and unfairness is how it can reflect itself though falling back on stereotypes that are fed to the environment of our early childhood development, relatively isolated social circles, and unfortunate adoption of viewpoints selected media sources.
The foundation upon which these notions exist impose changes on what members of dominant cultures may consider their state of "normal" that can no longer be sustainable in a modern world.
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends"
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Martin Luther King Jr.
Hate is just hate, a little or a lot, whether it is the result of unconscious biases accumulated through limited life experiences or through intentional, aggressive thoughts and actions. Over time hate is self-revealing … in general making hateful people (snobs and bullies) socially unacceptable and professionally limited.
Embracing diversity, on the other hand, can drive innovation, attract top talent, and enhance global influence, ultimately contributing to a more robust and dynamic economy and society as ALL individuals have human respect. ​
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Samples of the quantitative evidence is on site.
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Suppressing equal opportunity can have far-reaching negative consequences socially and for economic competitiveness and geopolitical standing.
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One of the great benefits of modern society is the transparency and at least general availability of information, knowledge, insights, and perspectives … from the introduction of television to the evolution of the Internet.