“Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex and vital.” Oscar Wilde
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” Maya Angelou
“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” John F. Kennedy
“When you’re accustomed to privilege, parity and equity and equality may feel like oppression.” Raphael Warnock
“Ethics and equity and the principles of justice do not change with the calendar.” D. H. Lawrence
As a reader of this blog, you know that my intention is to stick with universal themes instead of adding to the abundance of political commentary by pundits on all points of the conservative-liberal continuum. I’m afraid this last week has sucked me into the quagmire once again, but I promise to deal with the universal themes that emerge from the current reality causing many of us to despair and to find it difficult to breathe as we gasp for some signs of hope. The quotes above give a glimpse of what’s to come, but first . . . . . .
We have been flooded this past week with a tidal wave of executive orders making it almost impossible to give our full attention to any one of them. If that’s the strategy, then it’s working. Not surprisingly, the decisions related to DEI are drawing the most attention. In the January 21 issue of the New York Times, there was more coverage of DEI than any other topic: One article discussed the demands of federal employees to snitch on anyone promoting DEI. Another highlighted the fears and confusion of corporate leaders regarding their investments in DEI and pointed out that a few corporation, notably Costco and Microsoft, had joined the resistance. Still another revealed the plans of Russell Vought, the Christian Nationalist OMB director, to eliminate schedule F protecting civil service workers. Finally, one article pointed out how Jews did not feel particularly protected by University DEI policies and practices.
Before I go into the physical and intellectual consequences of those orders and articles, I want to address the emotional and spiritual dimensions in play here. In my experience, in any relationship, tone and non-verbal behaviors have far greater impact than words. It’s possible to deliver hard messages if your tone and your body indicate that the message being sent is delivered with respect and care. When the voice and body are dripping with contempt and cruelty, what’s communicated is an arrogant diminishment and dismissal of the other’s personhood and perspective.
Thus, what struck me the most in this deluge of directives was the reaction of Trump, his family and his cronies to the courageous sermon that Mariann Budde delivered in the National Cathedral the day after the inauguration. I was extremely moved by her plea to honor the dignity of difference, to speak up in love, to have mercy and compassion for the marginalized, to be welcoming and kind to strangers and immigrants. As much as I was touched by Budde’s message, however, I was more shocked by the Trump reactions. Watch this split screen video of Budde’s heartfelt plea and the Trump/Vance heartless response. Pay particular attention to Tiffany, the absolute epitome of privilege.
DEI is personal for me. My older daughter has devoted her career to increasing the sense of belonging for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or identity. My younger daughter, a Korean adoptee, has encountered discrimination of one form or another her whole life. My wife spent 40 years of her life teaching special education kids with multiple challenges. All of them have opened windows into worlds I would never have imagined given my WASP upbringing in a very homogeneous community. The only differences I encountered growing up were reflections of my own identity. As I reflect on my younger years, I can now own how limiting and distorting it can be to look out and only see reflections of yourself.
With that spiritual and emotional backdrop, I want to share the evidence in support of DEI – which is completely contrary to the MAGA narratives being promoted in social media and our ever-changing information ecosystem.
Let me begin by saying that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is more than just a moral imperative; it’s a powerful driver of social and economic progress. While some argue that focusing on DEI is unnecessary or even detrimental, a wealth of research demonstrates the myriad benefits of fostering inclusive environments in organizations and society at large. Eliminating DEI initiatives not only hinders progress towards a more just society but also deprives organizations of a critical source of strength and innovation. Perhaps, Trump is thinking that DEI stands for Dominance, Exclusion, and Imperialism. If that’s the case, his actions are aligned with his beliefs.
One of the most significant benefits of real DEI is its positive impact on economic growth. A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Similarly, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity were 15% more likely to outperform their national industry medians. This suggests that diverse teams bring a wider range of perspectives and experiences to the table, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving. That’s one reason, among many, that companies like Costco and Microsoft have no intention of backing away from their DEI initiatives. At least not yet.
DEI initiatives also enhance employee engagement and productivity. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that employees who feel included are 3.5 times more likely to contribute to their full innovative potential. When individuals feel valued and respected for who they are, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and committed to their work. This leads to increased productivity, lower turnover rates, and a more positive work environment.
In addition, DEI plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and creativity. A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that diverse teams are better at solving complex problems and generating creative ideas. This is because individuals from different backgrounds bring unique perspectives and approaches to the table, leading to a richer and more dynamic exchange of ideas. By embracing DEI, organizations can tap into a wider pool of talent and unlock their full innovative potential.
In contrast, eliminating DEI initiatives can have detrimental effects on organizations and society. A study by the Center for American Progress found that discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation costs the U.S. economy an estimated $64 billion per year in lost productivity. This is because discrimination creates a hostile work environment, leading to decreased morale, lower productivity, and higher turnover rates. Moreover, a lack of diversity can lead to groupthink and a narrow range of perspectives, hindering innovation and creativity.
The social benefits of DEI are equally significant. Promoting DEI helps to create a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background. It also helps to break down stereotypes and prejudices, fostering greater understanding and empathy between different groups. This can lead to reduced conflict, increased social cohesion, and a more harmonious society.
Clearly, according the leading consulting and academic institutions in the U.S., the evidence overwhelmingly supports the social and economic benefits of DEI. Promoting DEI not only leads to a more just and equitable society but also enhances economic growth, fosters innovation, and improves employee engagement.
Ok, please pause and take a breath. Let’s return to the universal themes I promised at the beginning of this post.
Oscar Wilde, an Irish poet and playwright who died in Paris in 1900, suggested that diversity of opinion indicates how “new, complex, and vital” a work really is. If there is no diversity, it must mean that whatever is being presented is not very original, complicated, or vibrant. There is no question that the whole world is dealing with a diversity of opinions. The questions are, what is there to learn from other points of view, and how can I present my opinions in a way that invites meaningful conversation? In our current state, I worry how open either side is to finding some common ground. A recent NPR poll found that over half of America sees DEI as simply symbolic, i.e. having no substantive evidence supporting its value. The studies I cited earlier contradict those beliefs, but I’m still at a loss of how to connect with fundamentally opposite and rigid points of view.
Maya Angelou, an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, died over 10 years ago, but her voice and memory still live with us. Among other things, she advocated that we teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and strength. While my daughter and many others are still trying to inculcate that message in schools and organizations, they are now swimming against a powerful tide. The question is, as it has always been, how do we bend the arc of history toward justice? That means suffering through setbacks and continuing the resolve to carry on.
JFK, who may have been assassinated for his support of civil rights, implored us to be aware of how power can lead men (especially men) toward arrogance, and that poetry reminds us of the richness of diversity. Power narrows and corrupts. Poetry cleanses and inspires. I can’t think of a more universal theme than that. Oh, how we long for messages like that in our political and organizational arenas.
In 1930, D.H. Lawrence, an English poet, playwright, and literary critic, died in France. He reflected on social alienatation and industrialization while championing sexuality, vitality, and instinct. He reminds us that the principles of ethics and equity don’t change the calendar. I would say that while the principles seem timeless, they are still vulnerable to assault. The question, as I raised in my last post, is ‘how do we sustain our focus on higher purposes and bedrock principles, when the lack of ethics and equity, in the shameless pursuit of power and profit, blurs and distorts that focus?
Before I close, let me point to the quotes of two politicians in our current government: Raphel Warnock and Tulsi Gabbard. Warnock was the senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church until he was elected as the US junior senator from Georgia in 2021. Tulsi Gabbard served as the US representative from Hawaii from 2013 to 2021 and is now serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. She is, of course, the nominee for the National Intelligence Director.
Warnock warned us that being accustomed to privilege, equity and equality may feel like oppression. His quote reminds me of Tiffany Trump’s face when Bishop Budde made a case for equity and equality. Warnock’s quote and Tiffany’s face make me realize how dangerous mirrors can be in our life. I’m thankful we have his voice and persona in our senate.
Tulsi Gabbard said, “When we care for each other – choosing inclusion and love over division and hatred, this great country is at its greatest.” Given her switching back and forth from a democrat with an allegiance to an off-start Hare Krishna movement in Hinduism to a full-throated MAGA supporter makes me wonder how she is going to navigate her role in this administration whose policies don’t exactly support caring for each other. For a terrific article on her history, go to this article in the Atlantic.
Let me end with some lyrics from Bob Dylan and some hopes for the future. In his song, “A Hard rain is Coming,” these words are not only prescient, but also ask us, “And what’ll you do now?” I guess that’s the question we are all living in. You may want to listen to the whole song to experience the full effect.
“I’m a-goin back out fore the rain starts a fallin
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest dark forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding our waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
And the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where the souls are forgotten
And I’ll tell it and speak it and think it and breathe it
And reflect from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin
But I’ll know my song well before I start singin
And it a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain a gonna fall.”
I’m hoping we can all reflect on what’s going on in the world and still sing our song in spite of the fact that a hard rain is gonna fall. In order to do that, we will need to know our song well. I’m hoping we will return to the poets who inspire us instead of the politicians who want to rip away our rights. I’m hoping we not only can be more aware of how power poisons us, but also how diversity enriches us. Finally, I’m hoping more of us will be inspired by the wholehearted words of Bishop Budde. May it be so.
Also published on Medium.
Oh Ricky: so well done my friend…