What’s the Big Deal About Diversity?
Monday, September 01, 2014
Mayor Charlie Hales. Photograph: Steve Morgan
There are more than two sides to this coin.
Critics complain that $56,000 of taxpayers' money was spent to have a select group of white men meet for a few days in a remote location to hear and feel the message of being comfortable with diversity.
On the other side of the coin, some people of color were in an uproar as to why the conference only included white men.
Let’s face facts: Portland and Oregon are among the “whitest" cities and states on the West Coast. It’s nothing to be ashamed about nor anythiing to brag about. The secret here is how both public- and private-sector leadership know how to be inclusive rather than exclusive.
The demographics of Portland and the entire state is changing, even as I am writing this article. This is not your grandfather’s Oregon anymore. You can’t use the same methods in today’s game.
Mayor Hales, Chief Reese and others are on their first steps in a journey that will help make our entire community better.
Walking the walk
Many people do not realize that diversity in your workplace and neighborhoods affects you in many different ways. A well-known Portland law firm told me several years ago that one of the reasons that they were able to land a huge national retailer was simply because they had a diverse workforce including women, gay, lesbian, African American and Latinos. They went beyond traditional “good faith efforts” and decided to walk the walk and talk the talk. It paid off in big dividends.
When strategic evaluators are looking at cities and regions for business expansion, investment and other opportunities they look far beyond the customary facts and figures. Is your company, your city, your organization a leader or a follower?
Investment for the future
So let’s get back to the $56,000, a drop in the bucket and a good investment for the future of our community.
After all, I have seen charity golf tournaments that cost five to 10 times more with little if any benefit for the end user. Chief Reese and the city of Portland have been under fire by community members from various zip codes. A retreat to help you become a better leader and from which you leave with a much clearer understanding and appreciation speaks volumes.
Please do not think that Chief Reese and Mayor Hales are taking bold steps.
Simply go to diversityinc.com and read the articles entitled “Ask the White Guy.” This diversity site, magazine and blog was started well over 30 years ago by a white guy who recognized the need for and benefits of inclusion. He simply decided to take it to the next level and has millions of readers and partners.
It is important for everyone to try to have an understanding of our neighbor’s culture. Every day you need to put on a jacket to embrace others of different genders, cultures and lifestyles. Portland is changing and the old system will kill us all and put Portland further behind other cities that are not drinking the same old Kool-Aid.
At the same time, hopefully, the next step is to have a diversity workshop retreat in which people of color can also sit and become more informed and educated about how to live in a more harmonious atmosphere. This cannot be a one-way street. Anyone that simply tells you that it’s all the white man’s fault has the same dumb mentality as the person that points to African-Americans and Latinos and wants to label them all as “less than.”
Yes, Portland has many Donald Sterlings in our community. They come in all colors, shapes and sizes. It is our community's responsibility to help remove this type of cancer before it spreads to our children and grandchildren.
A weekend retreat for city officials is just a start, but commended.
Homepage Photo Credit: toenail78 via Compfight cc
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