I wonder if the need for workplace-diversity initiatives is an indicator of an underlying societal issue? If so, could a more comprehensive approach to diversity serve as a catalyst for social transformation?
Many companies recognize the recruitment and hiring of minority-represented groups as an important aspect of diversity. But could the fact that many blacks and Hispanics live in segregated residential neighborhoods contribute to the lack of qualified applicants?
In a country where the number of racial and ethnic minorities is steadily increasing, serious thought must be given to the lack of access to resources and opportunity created by racial and economic segregation. This is particularly true when it comes to education. In the 60 years since Brown v. Board of Education declared separate was inherently unequal, many black and Hispanic children are finding themselves isolated in segregated neighborhoods by race and poverty.
If these young people are unable to escape the conditions of their communities and life circumstances, it is unlikely they will ever have the chance to compete for those coveted jobs. Although some will achieve and even excel, it has not been the norm. Herein lies the problem. The conditions in these communities have long-lasting negative effects, not just for the individual but also for society.
Companies grappling with how to increase and improve their diversity and workplace environment might be focusing too narrowly. Without systemic cultural changes, increasing the number of qualified blacks and Hispanics in the talent pool may remain elusive.
A more comprehensive approach to diversity is needed to disrupt institutionalized systems of segregation and inequality.
Read the entire article on the UCF Forum or in the Huffington Post
Stirring Up Trouble by DrVLoLil 
Hello Professor,
My name is Scott and I am a student in one of your summer classes. I have enjoyed going through your blog and reading your multiple articles. I chose this one to comment on because it gave me the most in depth thought. I struggled with my own opinion on the subject and how to fix the issues that were presented. I think moving forward as a society it is important that we diversify the work force. I also agree that some of the areas that people grow up in might be holding them back from future success. However, as someone who hopes to work in education I struggled thinking of feasible ways to implement your ideas immediately. This gave me great perspective and goals to work towards in my potential career. I appreciate the thought provoking article and I hope to continue to be challenged by your work.
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This blog post made me think of the community of East Salinas. The children of the community face social injustices everyday based on their skin color. They are automatically categorized as a certain social class totally based off of their home and their parent’s job. The kids in East Salinas are my motivation to help change the stigma surrounding them everyday.
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I remember in the early 2000’s, diversity became a huge thing at my place of employment. I used to work for HSBC a credit card company call center. HR and Management had us watch video to become culturally diverse and except people of all cultures and ethnicity’s. A simply sort video I feel doesn’t necessarily change peoples opinion. I feel that in order for diversity to sink in, cultures need to be celebrated openly. Even when it comes to cafeteria food, festivals and so on. To understand it a little more people must be open minded in receiving information about cultures and ethnicity.
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This blog made me think of my community in Santa Cruz County. As you mention, Hispanic children are facing poverty in their neighborhoods and I agree that in this county, Hispanics are facing poverty that sometimes enables them to excel in school. This leads for Hispanics to not be qualified to get a good paying job.
As a Hispanic, I’ve seen many being able to succeed in school and others not because of poverty. Because of poverty sometimes they are unable to receive additional services that could help them because the parents may be working 2-3 jobs to able to provide to their children. The parents are too busy working that are not able to support their children academically. It saddens me that there are bright students unable to pursue a higher education.
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As a Hispanic decadence I can see that society and environment where we live help determine who you become. I have meet several people who ‘assume’ because I am Hispanic I don’t speak the language, I have no education a probably have a minimum wage job. This is sad to see because as a minorities believe we should empower ourselves with each other as human beings and not determinate a person for their color and appearance.
We need empowerment in minority communities, need of orientation to pursue education and a career. The opportunities given to minorities are not many and the few out there are not enough to all.
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* descendent
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I read couple of your blogs, and I chose this particular one because it got me thinking how true it is that many black and Hispanics children are finding themselves isolated in segregated neighborhoods by race and poverty. I see this daily in Salinas. I am Mexican, but I have always live on the westside of Salinas which my friends would call the white and rich part of town. As I grew up. I started noticing that some friends that lived on the eastside of town where all the gangs and violence was at, grew up to be gangster. Due to the poverty they were not getting the extra help to keep them involved in after school activities that would keep them out of the streets while their parents worked long shifts. Most of our parents coming from a Hispanic have no education, some of them hardly know how to read and they were not able to help their children with their homework which was my case. Most of these families lived there not because they like it, but is the part of town that is more affordable. Like you stated if these young people are unable to move out of that type of living condition “it is unlikely they will achieve chance to compete for those coveted jobs” because there are no resources to help them get the extra help and is more likely they are not going out somewhere else looking for those recourses. The resources available for the minorities are not many and those that are available are not enough for a community like Salinas that most of the population is minority.
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