Diversity as a multifaceted field: How to embrace it

Diversity refers to the values that reflect and display mutual respect to all involved parties and primarily culture. Such reverence exhibits an appreciation for the myriad similarities and differences that exist among the different diversity factors. Consequently, environments that extend respect for diversity are powerful ones and display unity in various life pursuits. Through such unity in diversity, most people succeed in their objectives be it in business, community development or personal accomplishments. As a result of the pooling of resources of diverse people, talents, skill and insightful experiences are used for the betterment of the social structure at large. Diversity involves looking at the demographic characteristics of an assorted people (“Demographics,” 2017). The Bureau of Labor and Statistics describes demographics as the statistical view of a population that includes gender, age and other variables that easily affect the diversity scale and interpretation. Ultimately, diversity is pivotal for the proper and cohesive functioning of society. Through diversity, economic scales are traversed easily; more to this is the fact that diversity brings about new skill development and appreciation, subsequently enhancing productivity in people.

Ethnic Diversity 

In the most primal understanding, the term ethnicity refers to the social remaking of rudimentary difference in the categories that relate to people and aspects such as loss and gain in social incorporation as a whole (Eriksen, 2001). This means that ethnicity is in a more fundamental sense, dual, in that it occupies and encompasses aspects of both politics and meaning. Therefore, it ultimately affects the nationality of a sovereign state. In essence, the term explains the experiences felt by a particular group in terms of its culture. This concept acknowledges that in a specific ethnic group, there is the possibility of individuals who have a primary culture, distinctive to their particular set. In addition to this, the possibility of exclusion is very likely in that persons from a particular group may have a tendency towards accepting and even learning the cultural behaviors of other groups. This reflects the essence of diversity. Through forging such bonds, individuals create and strike a note in the cohesion fabric of the society.

There are two meanings when studying and understanding the term ethnicity. It entails a concept that has a great multitude of cultural phenomena. On a smaller-scale, ethnicity appears through short-term experiences. A good example is on campus where there are many interactions with people from diverse backgrounds. In this case, the relationship between an international student and a professor at a university has different ethnic connotations, and consequently, its view is that of an ethnic relationship. Through interaction such as going into a lecturer’s office for consultations on certain subjects, the ethnic relationship develops. However, such a relationship based on ethnicity is short lived since one on one engagements lasts less than one hour. On a different perspective, ethnicity may refer to large-scale matters such as the trade networks within the United Kingdom which foster diversity through a foundation of ethnic differences; the relationship between the black and the U.S. as a nation and state; and sometimes it may even include nationalism as depicted in history a couple of times. In social anthropology and most contemporary sociology, ethnicity is subsequently analyzed through action that is interpersonal thus making it an ideology that stresses the similarity of culture among its myriad adherents, successively fostering long-term diversity (Eriksen, 2001).

Interracial Diversity 

Most often, the issue of race has always been a thorny one when it comes to integration and diversity. While looking at race, most sociology studies tend toward the subject of blacks and their relation to economic and social equality. Most stratification research, which is what bears relevant significance in interracial studies, normally looks at the examination of the disadvantaged positions of the black population both in relation to the labor markets and educational outcomes compared to white folks. At a time when there was no diversity, blacks faced various challenges socially, politically and economically. The effects of racism, the group targeted discrimination, interracial conflict and other kinds of atrocities that are racially based are well known. Additionally, in all such values, most researchers hold the hypothesis of a similarity between blacks and whites as true (Smith & Moore, 2000). Such similarity stems from black’s attitudes, experiences, values, and an overall combined perception of themselves as a single social unit. This similarity, however minute, shows that there is dependence between blacks and whites and consequently, by working together, these two diverse groups are able to rid feelings of isolation, oppression and racial alienation. Ultimately, most sociological researchers show the power of racial diversity in that, as a set, African Americans represent economic, social and cultural homogeneity and that such intercultural relationships are close and currently function without much conflict. Such is the power of cultural diversity since it fosters an environment of learning and creative indulgence.

In looking at the relationship between blacks and whites within the United States, the assumptions concerning interracial relations and diversity prove true. Such assumptions depict the actual nature of diversity and its power to shift positively social paradigms from a stereotypical perspective to one that demonstrates openness and inclusivity. Through research and in-depth study, three such assumptions prove significant in elevating the societal status thus showing progressive steps towards the benefits of diversity. First is the extent in which black and white students share experiences, values and attitudes, subsequently relying on each other for close satisfaction and social collaborations. Secondly, through logistic regression analysis, which represents a function of status in a socioeconomic sense. The closeness of blacks and whites produces experiences that are integrative which in turn has led to ethnic and racial identification. This kind of diversity has resulted in growth, especially in black socioeconomic and cultural lives. The third and final assumption draws from different interviews that provide in-depth context and various insights into the overall relationship between these diverse communities. Therefore, interracial cohesiveness opens up the concept of diversity and allows the society to tap into its profound benefits.

Religious Diversity 

All around the world, there are different religions of various forms and teachings. Such religions present diverse beliefs and incorporate divergent feelings across many individuals. Therefore, diversity in religion is unique and offers multiple sets of benefits and challenges. A country such as India is a case in point when looking at religious diversity. This country has had such high diversity in religion that almost all people in the world recognize India as a leading religious’ destination. Statistics indicate that the country has eight key religious communities. In regards to the religious population, 83% are Hindus, 11.8% are Muslims, 2.6% are Christians, 2% are Buddhists, 0.4% are Jains, 0.3% are Zoroastrians and 0.1% are Jews ("Statistics | Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development", 2017). Such diversity is incredible considering also that India is a land that has an estimated population of 1.2billion people ("Statistics | Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development", 2017). Of these eight religious variants, four are indigenous to the country; these are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The others which have come from outside the country include Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism and Jews. Out of these, other various subsets and religious sects divulge from the main movements. This leads to the inevitable hypothesis that if a country can possess such kind of miscellany, then when viewing the entire world, religious diversity is truly the epitome of cultural diversity since it affects almost all individuals.

In different religious compositions, India presents itself as a mark of assortment. Diversity in religion is a crucial component of cultural diversity, and currently, a myriad of educators are taking this seriously especially in their different study areas. Over the years, religion has been marred with various disparities in relation to diversity. Monotheists openly argue against most religious beliefs and therefore cause an alienation of diversity in people who are not of their religion. Ultimately, diversity in religion only happens when there is both an indebted commitment to one’s faith and an appreciative and empathetic attitude of understanding the religion and traditions of another. This way, a mutually beneficial transformation process usually begins that is characteristic to the benefits of religious diversity. This process, which is discussed extensively by theologian John Cobb, is essentially the backbone of interreligious dialogue. The whole point is that each religion has its strengths and weaknesses depending on different perspectives. In view of this, one has to be careful not to permeate interpretations of syncretism into religious empathy and tolerance since the concept of syncretism is one that introduces a superior religion to the ones that already exist. Overall, religion is a crucial add-on to the diversity scale.

Diversity in Organizations 

Currently, there is a sound tendency toward multiculturalism that is growing strong by the day, especially in organizations. The emphasis and acknowledgement of the existence of ethnic diversity in multiculturalism are pivotal. In addition to this reality, a sound focus on the rights of individuals should also be placed in order to facilitate full access to constitutional principles and privileges in a nation or a particular organization. This indicates an appreciation of diversity and its use. In light of all these, the current trend is that organizations all over the world employ the use of diversity as a tactic of expansion. More organizations are embracing the power of diverse ethnicity, race, and gender and are constantly charged with the noble duty of creating multicultural corporations due to the large number of benefits experienced in such a type of business portfolio. Such organizations display a variety of characteristics that prove beneficial to them. The primary features of a multicultural organization entail involvement of minorities in various structural levels of the company which includes influential positions such as management and executive roles. In addition, there is the absence of prejudice and outward discrimination that are in most reserved companies. Therefore, such organizations have a mindset that not only enforces diversity but also values its benefits in propelling the company’s vision forward. Finally, most scholars define a multicultural organization as one that not only contains diverse cultural groups but also values culture as part of its overall agenda.

In such organizations, there is the need for different strategies for them to promote and maintain a multicultural setting. The most imperative include the use of writing in communicating these policies, in that, writing will show the employees that the company is serious about inclusivity. Training programs also prove pivotal in ensuring proper doctrines are maintained and the development of cultural self-awareness. Other strategies are the recognition of individual disparities, the seeking of minority group inputs, use of reward systems, flexible work environment, use of social events and continuous monitoring (Edewor, & Aluko, 2007). Such strategies ensure that there is clear diversity within an organization and that the observance of this diversity is to the letter, subsequently leading to corporate expansion.

Conclusion 

Diversity is a multifaceted field that requires careful study and consideration. In looking at the ethnicity, race, age, religion, gender and other variables, the power of culture in every facet of our lives clearly presents itself. Through such diversity, the world is able to exploit its full potential and reach new heights of achievement. Inasmuch as the dominant system of values largely excludes the participation and contributions of cultural groups, diversity is at the center stage of worldwide competitive gain, and it will eventually be imperative in socioeconomic circles.

References 

Demographics . (2017).  Entrepreneur . Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/demographics 

Edewor, P., & Aluko, Y. (2007). Diversity Management, Challenges and Opportunities in Multicultural Organizations.  THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIVERSITY IN ORGANISATIONS, COMMUNITIES AND NATIONS ,  6 (6), 189-195.

Eriksen, T. (2001). Ethnicity versus Nationalism.  Journal Of Peace Research ,  28 (3), 263-278.

Smith, S., & Moore, M. (2000). Intraracial Diversity and Relations among African-Americans: Closeness among Black Students at a Predominantly White University.  American Journal Of Sociology ,  106 (1), 1-39.

Statistics | Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development . (2017).  Mhrd.gov.in . Retrieved 3 May 2017, from http://mhrd.gov.in/statist