Preface
Whether you agree with affirmative action systems or not, there is an issue that stems from this topic which is arguably more important. Headlines like “University of Waterloo bans ‘straight white males’ from applying for recent jobs” (which Part 1 of this post was based on) are incredibly divisive. They instigate an “us versus them” mentality and, in my opinion, could lead to a major backward movement in how far modern society has come in terms of diversity and acceptance. This is extremely concerning to me. So, the follow-up/Part 2 of our discussion about affirmative action will be a reminder of why diversity is so important in society and the workplace. Further, to remind us all that regardless of ethnicity, culture, race, or gender we must always work together to make positive change.
Diversity Makes us Smarter
If you can’t already tell from the nature of my blog, I believe critical thinking skills are extremely important. The ability for each person to shape their thoughts and feelings and consider multiple perspectives at a time makes for more interesting company. And, a more forward-thinking society overall. This article published in the American University School of Education is an excellent overview of how exposure to diversity from a young age makes us smarter human beings. Especially in terms of cognitive skills and the ability to think critically.
When children grow up and learn around a multicultural group, they are exposed to multiple worldviews. They are able to consider perspectives and approaches different from their own and what is traditionally taught within their immediate family and community. This kind of social interaction equips us with the ability to examine the world critically. This is a skill that is much more difficult to learn later in life, as I am sure we have all seen in grandparents who are strict regarding tradition or beliefs.
Furthermore, youth exposed to diversity have shown higher levels of increased civic engagement (American University School of Education, 2019). Civic engagement is people’s “willingness to interact with and improve their local community” (American University School of Education, 2019). This includes an increase in political involvement and more thought and care about how society is governed. Evidence contained in 27 different studies proves that youth exposed to diversity are better prepared for global citizenship. When civic engagement is increased, people are ready and able to better contribute to the well-being of their community and world.
The Business Angle
If you don’t have as much of a social justice/conscious global citizen-coded brain, consider the importance of diversity in the workplace from a business angle. In the reality of our capitalist world, employers are always looking to boost productivity and capitalize on the skills and experience of each employee. With a diverse team, each member comes from a different background and holds a unique worldview which has been proven to boost creativity (Stahl, 2021). Diverse teams can problem-solve more effectively and approach obstacles from innovative and more original angles.
From a customer demographics angle, a diverse team can reach untapped customer demographics and understand the wants and needs of a broader pool of potential clients (Stahl, 2021). Naturally, a larger market means larger profit. In fact, companies with higher diversity levels are 70% more likely to capture larger markets (Stahl, 2021). I think this is a part of the affirmative action discussion that is often left out. While caught up in the argument over quotas and “unfairness,” we neglect the plain truth that multiculturalism is good for business. What employer wouldn’t want a team of individuals that encourage creativity, productivity, and the ability to change and grow along with the rest of the world?
Positionality
In addition to the social and economic benefits of diversity, it also makes us reflect on our own positionality and worldview. Or, at least, it should.
Positionality is the combination of factors that shape our worldview:
Based on the colour of our skin, socioeconomic status, education, and cultural background, we each have a unique social identity and subsequent positionality. This shapes our thoughts and feelings (and prejudices) about the world around us. It is important to be aware of our positionality, especially when assessing issues of social justice and change.
When thinking, “all jobs should be offered based on merit” consider your positionality. Have you experienced barriers to employment based on skin colour? Language barrier? Religion? Did you have access to post-secondary education? Was it a standard in your family to attend university? Were you well-fed every day at school? Could you participate in extracurriculars? Did you start working when you were 14? 17? How many hours? Did your parents rely on you for money? Does anyone often make you feel out of place? Have you experienced sexism which makes you nervous to strive towards certain goals? Have you experienced racism? Or, have your parents?
Many of the experiences behind these questions will be lived experiences that some of us will never have. So, it is imperative to be able to recognize this while concluding what is “fair” and what is “right”. I encourage you to take some time and reflect on your positionality and how it shapes the world around you. Not just in terms of affirmative action, but in every part of everyday life.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line of this post is relatively self-explanatory and short. I guess my motivation in writing this part in addition to talking about affirmative action is to encourage you to not just be open to diversity but to actively seek it. I think it is pretty clear that interacting with people from many different backgrounds is an incredibly interesting and natural way to learn and grow. So, I also think it is a shame that while diversity will inevitably increase across the globe in an era of rapid globalization, it will be overshadowed by division and those who are stuck in an “us versus them” mindset.
Sources
American University School of Education. (2019, July 24). The Benefits of Inclusion and Diversity in the Classroom | American University. School of Education. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/benefits-of-inclusion-and-diversity-in-the-classroom/#:~:text=Diversity%20Improves%20Cognitive%20Skills%20and%20Critical%20Thinking&text=By%20presenting%20students%20with%20viewpoints,the%20world%20in%20fresh%20ways.
Phillips, K. (2017). How diversity makes us smarter. Greater Good Magazine. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_diversity_makes_us_smarter
Stahl, A. (2021, December 17). 3 Benefits of diversity in the workplace. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2021/12/17/3-benefits-of-diversity-in-the-workplace/?sh=17b04e7622ed
UCLA Library. (2021, March 16). “Positionality & Research: How our Identities Shape Inquiry” [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTHFud7fr8c
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