The Diversity Corner Newsletter

The Diversity Corner is an information-packed monthly newsletter covering a wide array of topics, designed to increase awareness and build competency around workplace diversity issues.  Subscribe here to receive the Diversity Corner by email every month!

Current issue:
February, 2007  HTML

Recent issues:
December, 2006  HTML
November, 2006  HTML
October, 2006  HTML

The Diversity Corner originated as a short weekly article for a department restroom reader at a well-known international high-tech corporation.  The content was selected and edited by Dave Hughes, and early articles usually featured a holiday or observance of some nation or culture from around the world.  As the column evolved over the course of 6+ years, it grew in depth and scope to the point where it addressed complex workplace diversity issues on every imaginable topic.  The audience for the articles grew as well, to the point where each week's column was published to a distribution list of over 500 people and was forwarded and published widely throughout the corporation.

This web site was created in order to share the Diversity Corner and other diversity resources with diversity advocates worldwide.

Commentary

Why I Sit Behind the Table
by Terry Howard

[excerpt]
I remember the very first [Diversity Fair] I attended years ago. Tables for each group were set up across the room horseshoe style. At the very end was one for the Gay and Lesbian group and mounted on the wall behind theirs was a large, colorful banner with the group’s name and logo. Before long people started pouring in, hundreds of them, and soon there were clusters around all of the tables…except one! Yep, you probably guessed it!

I watched in amazement at how so many purposely steered clear of the “gay table” and, with amusement, how those who did stumble upon it slithered away quickly once they realized what “this one” was all about. Realizing that the room setup contributed to the alienation, I encouraged the meeting planners to mainstream the gay and lesbian table the next time around. They quickly agreed.

The next year I, a straight guy, decided to sit behind the “gay table” - logo-bearing tee shirt and all - to gauge reactions; responses that ranged from nonchalance, to whispers, to looks of clear surprise. Interestingly, two people I knew stopped speaking to me afterwards and another sent me reading material drumbeating the sins of homosexuality.
[ Read entire article ]

Diversity Corner articles and other diversity-related news and discussion topics are shared in this discussion forum.  This format encourages reader feedback, discussion, and sharing!  Bookmark this site and visit often!

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Recent Posts

A Diversity Self-Assessment
Many diversity-related conflicts are based on inaccurate stereotypes or discomfort with that which is unfamiliar.

Make Diversity part of your professional development plan in 2007!
There are many ways in which employees can include learning about and promoting Diversity in their professional development plans.  Here are a few possibilities.

What can we learn from other Employee Resource Groups?
A valuable opportunity for interaction and learning can be created when a company’s various Employee Resource Groups (ERG) come together to share knowledge and strategies for working together more effectively.

Featured Article

Embedding Diversity Throughout Your Corporate Culture
Have you found that trying to spread the Diversity message through forced attendance in diversity training courses is not producing the buy-in you need? This presentation, developed by Dave and delivered at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, outlines numerous strategies for promoting interest in diversity among managers and individual contributors in ways that are fun and interesting, not heavy-handed.  These methods will result in diversity appreciation becoming an ingrained part of your corporate culture.

This web site was created in order to share information, techniques, news and other resources which will enable workplaces that are welcoming and free of harassment and discrimination, regardless of occupation.  The web site will feature articles, editorial commentary, discussion topics, and opinion/data gathering polls.

Other Diversity Resources

DiversityInc - Daily diversity news (some free, some paid); monthly print magazine for site subscribers.

ProGroup - Diversity Training and Consulting; excellent articles available online; great print calendar

Beliefnet - loaded with information on the world's religions (serious and fun)

GLBTworkplace.com - gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) workplace issues (also operated by Dave Hughes)

Diversity Calendars

Cultural Calendar (Victoria University)

Holy Days of the world's major religions for 2006 (University of South Florida)

Weave Our World (WOW) Calendar (Los Alamos National Lab)

Purchase the "Honoring Differences" calendar by ProGroup
 

A Diversity Vision  

"Diversity" is created in an environment that invites people from a multitude of perspectives and that celebrates the synergy created by such different perspectives. These perspectives are a culmination of a person’s life experience and values. People in a diverse environment represent a broad range of life experiences and values that include (but are not limited to) age, ethnicity, gender, ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, geographic location, military experience, work experience, income, first language, organizational role and level, communication style, family status, work style, and education. Those involved in the creation of a diverse environment recognize their responsibility to extend an invitation to people who bring yet another perspective to the environment. In a diverse environment, people are respected for their life experiences and for who they are.

The author/editor of this web site is Dave Hughes.

Suggestions, submissions, and feedback are welcome!

Contact Dave