(Update: since writing this one other male has joined the Top Writers in Diversity List)
A few weeks ago I was excited to receive an email stating that I was a Top Writer in Diversity on the online publication Medium (To view the Top Writers in Diversity CLICK HERE). While I didn’t know what the achievement meant exactly, I was happy nonetheless. I immediately sent an email to my loyal subscribers informing them of my award and watched as my new Medium Followers reigned in!
It was great! I probably averaged about 5 new followers a day for a few weeks (the average is still continuing btw). But then, on one random night, I happened to scrolled through the list of my fellow Diversity-ers, and noticing something glaring. I, Jaymie White, was (there are two now) the only male in the Top Writers group. While there are other publications in the list, the only single male writer currently is yours truly.
Well, my mom always said I was special (Thanks mom)!
But moving from that, I began to think…..why am I the only male in the Top category for diversity? I can’t be the only male writing about this stuff right? What is the big issue with men and diversity and how can I help encourage more male voices to join the field?
In an effort to respond to this odd phenomenon, I’ve decided to write an article about the field of diversity, highlight some arguments against it, and see if maybe (just maybe) I can recruit fellow fellas and help them understand the benefits of diversity in the short and long term.
So let’s start with a very brief description of myself….
I am a small business owner interested in anything dealing with politics, business, technology, education, science, city development, manufacturing, and a ton more. I really like to learn and I also like thinking about innovative ways to move our society forward. I am somewhat socially liberal but I mainly stick to conservative fiscal principles (and no that doesn’t mean I want to destroy the Environment or help build a Death Star). I’m always up for a productive conversation, but I’m not interested in getting into a nasty argument.
In terms of my views on diversity, I like to look at the positives and negatives of each argument. For this article, I’d like to begin with a bit ironic history on the concept of corporate rights…
It’s ironic that the argument used in the past to deny certain groups of business opportunities (i.e. “You shouldn’t tell businesses how to run their company”), is now contradicted when a corporation decides to create a program focused on diversity and inclusion. “But everything is running smoothly” some protest! Well, according to recently elected President Donald Trump, America isn’t winning anymore. If that’s the case, diversity is needed now more than ever right? Consider the recent influx of studies reporting the many benefits of a diverse workforce. With evidence backing diversity, businesses are obligated to implement strategies to increase efficiency and maximize profits. If studies showed that eating French Fries had no negative health effect and increased cooperation by 200%, you bet your ass every company in America would serve Fries in their local cafeteria.
Another argument I hear a lot throughout the stratosphere of corporate America is the concept of fairness. It’s not fair to hire someone based on race. Organizations should offer opportunities to all and choose the best candidates for the job. To that I say “Ni”! Let me explain something about getting a job.
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FAIR HIRE!
Applicants are selected based on a few conversations that may last a couple hours. How can you truly determine a candidates worth, potential, and quality from such a small interaction? Resumes help of course, but they can’t tell you if a person is “right” for a certain position. Organizations don’t look for the best or most qualified candidate, they look for the right fit. That creates its own problem as someone may be a fit today, but changes may occur in the organization and that “good fit” may not be so good 6 months from said hiring date. In the end, defending an in-exact science based on the concept of fairness is just idiotic. It’s like trying to convince everyone that the color Blue is the best color in the world (which it is).
Same goes for hiring a supplier for a business operation. The global economy hinges on the need for innovation. A supplier-corporate relationship may date back to 1967, but if an organization is looking to truly maximize profits, they should have the option of hiring new and innovative organizations if they choose to.
As a small business owner, you don’t ask for handouts, but you do understand the need for help if you aim to compete with organizations (or groups of people) that unknowingly benefit from their upbringing. Diversity is similar in that regard, helping groups with less resources compete.
The American economy is similar to a corporation in that there are multiple revenue generating segments. In every country, some segments ultimately lag behind. When this happens, that country has three choices.
- Continue its current trajectory and allow the falling segments to continue their downward spiral
- Cut off the failing segments and look to grow the profitable segments
- Reinvest in the lagging areas and create programs to increase opportunities
In America the largest growing segments are also the greatest areas of weakness (i.e. Latinos, Women, LGBT, etc.). Reinvesting in these areas are crucial for the nation’s long term benefit. Being from Detroit, I’ve seen first hand what happens when a city refuses to prepare for the inevitable, and it’s not pretty. Diversity is about the future of America. And if our country refuses to acknowledge the future trajectory of this nation, then the failure of my hometown will be a drop in the ocean of misery that is America’s future.
I could go on and on about the benefits of the field but I will leave it at that for now. Let me know your thoughts on diversity and what you like, or don’t like about it.