The elephant in the room is diversity and everybody is talking about it. But what people aren't talking about is the fact that the room is really big and there are a lot of elephants in it. With the overturning of Affirmative Action, there is an outcry of how this will affect universities as well as businesses in how they will recruit and what they will focus their resources on. The problem with this thinking is that it isn't looking at a bigger picture.
For one, diversity for the sake of diversity doesn't always create a healthy working environment. You can have a very diverse group of people in a situation, but if that group doesn't find a way to bond, then how can it be functional? These institutions have to not only focus on recruiting and enrollment, but also competition with other similar institutions, funding, and functionality, as well as the various core missions they prioritize.
For another, when an institution values diversity OVER everything else, it can devalue its ability to focus on its intent, whatever that may be. Focus is key for organizations when they are not only wanting to survive but succeed and thrive in an always-growing competitive world.
And lastly, what if some people want sameness? What if black people just want to work around black people? What if women just want to work around other women? Why force others onto them? Sameness really isn't a bad thing. If you look at the people you surround yourself with, you might just find certain similarities with yourself.
All this aside, I agree with diversifying organizations such as universities and companies. We SHOULD focus on being able to adapt and bridge gaps into professions for anyone who is qualified. But that shouldn't be the only focus. For us to succeed as individuals, organizations, companies, we also have to compete against those that want what we want. And to do that, we have to be willing to stay true to who we are. And yes, who we are changes over time. But doesn't that make life much more interesting?
