Letter from a Birmingham Jail was probably one of Martin Luther King's finest writings. In this letter, he responds to criticism about his participation in civil rights protests in Birmingham. "You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations." In classic King style, he forces his readers to consider that with every effect there is a cause.
Often, we are exasperated by the effect without examining the cause. Sometimes when diversity initiatives do not achieve their objectives--poor participation from employees, failure to attract a diverse array of employees, or inability to keep talented employees--organizations are ready to quit, saying, "See, diversity initiatives don't work." However, this is an opportunity to try something different. This is a chance to find new leadership, tap into new resources, define new goals, identify new challenges and realize new accomplishments.
Even in my everyday life, I try to remember that where there is an effect there is a cause. For instance, as a patriotic American trying to digest Reverend Wright (and the injustice called the Sean Bell verdict), I am forced to question the conditions that may have brought about his condemnations about America. (In April, the three New York City police officers who fired 50 shots at Sean Bell, an unarmed African-American, were acquitted.)
In my e-newsletter, I have included videos and other resources to get you thinking about new ways to advance your diversity initiative. Please feel free to contact QUEST if we can be of any assistance. Please email me at natalie@questdiversity.com to get a copy of the e-newsletter.
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