Many of the newest cultural underpinnings of our country are founded on notions that are introduced by intellectuals, and are then accepted without question. Moreover, these notions are not only counter-intuitive, they run contrary to personal experience. Unfortunately, that does not seem to matter.
Consider DIVERSITY. Here’s the definition given by the University of Maryland’s Diversity Database–
diversity (n) – A situation that includes representation of multiple (ideally all) groups within a prescribed environment, such as a university or a workplace. This word most commonly refers to differences between cultural groups, although it is also used to describe differences within cultural groups, e.g. diversity within the Asian-American culture includes Korean Americans and Japanese Americans. An emphasis on accepting and respecting cultural differences by recognizing that no one culture is intrinsically superior to another underlies the current usage of the term.
The term is relatively recent, and coincides with the embracing of the homosexual agenda by the Left, rather than from a recognition of the cultural diversity that does exist in this country, exacerbated as it is by open immigration and lack of assimilation.
The most obvious question, and one that is never asked, is this: Notwithstanding that there IS significant diversity in the United States, why is that necessarily a good thing? And, why would more of it be even better? At best, a proponent will wax rhapsodic about ethnic restaurants, but then clam up when asked, as I once did a big Beverly Hills liberal type, why her gynecologist was not a Black male.
She could not bring herself to admit out loud that for such intimate contact, she was really an inveterate sexist, agist, and racist. Her gynecologist had to be a middle-aged white woman whose office was on a particular street in Beverly Hills. Hardly the model of diversity!
In most non-intimate day-to-day human experiences, we want matters handled quickly, competently, and fairly. It is only for matters which are not very important, that any of us would even consider that it might be “nice” to have a diverse experience.
As we sit in our airplane seat, we want the best pilot and navigator, and we couldn’t care less about their race. As far as those who serve us our drinks, perhaps, some of us would like to see a diverse flight services crew, but only if it didn’t hurt the level of service.
As we are wheeled into the operating room, we want only the best surgeons, nurses, and assistants. When we have recovered, and are wheeled out to the waiting car, this orderly could be diverse, as long as he can push the wheelchair without running it into walls.
Nowadays, it is very important for large companies to be diverse, even if they have to hire the likes of Carly Fiorina or Jill Barad, and lose fortunes in the process. Meanwhile, the undeserved promotion and retention of ethnics, women, and homosexuals in academia has driven down many an institution. But the stockholders and students who lose out are only collateral damage, sacrificed at the altar of diversity. Besides, the effects are not immediately apparent, or can be explained away with other factors, such as “the economy,” or our lack of understanding of the “true purpose” of a university.
On the other hand, in professional sports, the NBA and NFL don’t care a thing about diversity–and make tons of money. Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer, easily the most diverse pro sports, generally lose money. Poetic justice is in play, however, as the terrible WNBA (funded by the NBA) gets no attendance, and no TV viewers, and loses money, but must fight on–in the name of diversity!
As far as the “no one culture is intrinsically superior to another” precept, maybe the PC mullahs think that if they repeat it often enough, people will actually believe it. Somehow, though, I think that the liberal college professor who wrote that drivel might not take kindly to his teen-age daughter going out with an older Middle Eastern “gentleman,” who keeps a harem. He might even take offense if a grandchild produced by such a union were kidnapped and brought to the father’s country, never to return to the US again. It happens all the time.
So, what are we to make of this diversity fad?
- Its biggest proponents are completely disingenuous.
- It is only accepted when either it doesn’t matter, or its effects can be hidden or rationalized.
- It can be terribly destructive.
Take heart, dear reader. It’s a fad, after all, and will disappear as suddenly as it came. Thank God.