Diversity Seminar

I recently attended a Diversity Seminar at my company, and I have to say that I'm now much more diverse. I've learned not to judge people solely based on their age, race, and gender, but to look deeper and inquire about their heritage and political leanings, so that I can judge them on the things beneath the surface as well. I've learned that women enjoy being invited to golf outings, but resent being asked to attend an evening meeting. Yet, they'll go to the latter before the former. I've learned that people of color prefer to be called "people of color" and people of non-color prefer to be called "whitees." I've learned that quotas are good ... as long as you don't call them quotas. And I've learned that we can all learn something interesting from someone else -- unless that someone else shares your value system.

And I've learned that people who don't learn anything at diversity seminars have nothing to contribute to society. What is this country built on, if not diversity? That is, besides life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, justice for all, taxation without representation, universalized health care, and having nothing to fear but fear itself?

posted by Lawrence A. Fing @ 12:00 PM