Discussion: Diversity and Society

Introduction

Since the modern world is multicultural due to complicated chains of historical events, colonial issues, and diversified matrimonies between people of various races, diversity in society becomes a certain point. Diversity in the community means implementing a considerable number of people of different races, nationalities, skin colors, cultural backgrounds, and experiences in society. Moreover, it can refer to interests, religion, and sexual orientation. Many researchers are examining diversity in sociology; this presentation aims to look at how diversity can be achieved through certain measures and search for the advantages and disadvantages of this action.

Contents

It is crucial to determine which topics to cover. Overall, historical background plays a significant role in understanding contemporary society’s diversity of races and nationalities. It is vital to understand why minority groups still can feel oppressed and why society tries to promote equality. Then, it is significant to put the benefits and challenges that diversity in society might implement into ordinary life. Moreover, a practical study shows the results of involving diversity practices in the community. This presentation will focus on racial disparities mostly, as there are still effects of their past experiences and oppression.

Reasons for diversity

Previously, some issues struggled with the acceptance of personas of other nationalities in academic spheres and multiple workplaces (Healey and Stepnick). For instance, the white superiority that existed during the postcolonial era excluded personas of different races from many significant activities that could be useful for national development. What is more, before Simone de Beauvoir’s book and the three waves of women’s liberation appeared, men oppressed women for their gender sign. Indeed, everything is changing now, and access to business, scientific and academic resources is no longer limited to race, skin color, or gender. It is essential to examine why the issue of fostering diversity in society is critical, consider the benefits and challenges of this issue, and think about practices that encourage a diversified community.

The rationale for a selected topic

This presentation is going to focus on inequalities in various races and nationalities. The target aims of this study are students of colleges and universities and adults. The presentation will examine strategies and approaches that can benefit intergroup decisions and the overall atmosphere in the multicultural community.

Historical background

Slavery is a condition under which one person is captured and owned. In the United States, slavery started in the 1800s, when white Europeans considered black Africans different because of their appearance, customs, and religion (Healey and Stepnick 111). For other reasons, indigenous people were assumed to be stronger and more enduring than white folks. Moreover, white Europeans oppressed Black folks for living in tribes, not in society; in general, there were many points where the worldviews of the two races separated (Healey and Stepnick 111). As a result of durable oppression, the Indigenous became a colonized group. African people were utilized for white Europeans’ aims and purposes.

The following important factor is pseudo-tolerance – an attempt to civilize native people and implement them in society. The point of ‘civilizing’ was an attempt to make a living better for enslaved people. The procedure included education, in particular, learning the English language. Moreover, sometimes it had to learn how to “affirm their humanity even while constrained” (Healey and Stepnick 113). Indeed, that was a superficial manifestation of tolerance, which benefitted the colonizer only.

It becomes obvious that enslaved people were powerless to make any effort for their release. What is more, laws usually permitted slaveowners to punish or kill their people if they were disobedient (Healey and Stepnick 114). Indeed, there were about 250 slave rebellions in the United States. These acts led to even more severe punishments and caused multiple deaths of enslaved people. Slavery was abolished in 1865, and then, many enslaved persons were released. They were highly damaged physically and mentally, so many killed their owners or committed suicides (Healey and Stepnick 114). Long years of oppression left an irrecoverable imprint in the minds of native people.

Many of them still feel the consequences of past experiences. Indeed, the modern world is moving towards tolerance and acceptance. There are many possibilities for people of all races and nationalities to express themselves. For instance, many commercial companies support formerly oppressed and minority groups by making them ambassadors of brands. There is a “Vicious Cycle” of Myrdal in the picture. It demonstrates the way thinking of a person who discriminates against people for their skin color or race. It is important to note that this circle still works for some people, and it is necessary to get rid of him to live on equal terms.

Benefits of diversity in society

Nowadays, the world is developing in the way of tolerance and awareness; it also concerns multicultural issues. For instance, huge countries start to share their part of international businesses with smaller countries, giving them the ability to show off skills that might be essential. International cooperation, especially in business, does not exclude interaction with partners of various races and nationalities. There is a common tendency to be more tolerant and accepting of personas of other races on equal terms.

It is essential to understand that cooperation within the multicultural frame can become effective and beneficial for both sides, as people bring their part of the culture in business matters in the state of nature. Therefore, it can improve communication between various cultures and diversify the process. The next vital part of the advantages of diversity in society is freedom from ideology. It is possible to remember the times of Hitler and his insanely cruel ideology that destroyed many people’s lives. Moreover, many religions were prohibited, so people could not freely express their worldviews and belief because of an ideological canon and threat as a consequence.

Moreover, cultural diversity is significant for international companies. For instance, there is a high chance of more efficient work in multicultural cooperation due to the diversified background of employees. People of a homogenous race can sometimes struggle with solving specific or unknown problems due to similar backgrounds, values, and mindsets. Indeed, employees of other nationalities or races might not find any difficulty in solving a similar issue, as their worldviews will vary. Therefore, a multicultural workforce is a perspective for building a solid basis within the company.

Challenges of diversity in society

As seen, there are many benefits that diversity can bring in society; different perspectives, opinions, and cultural variety. However, it is important to examine the research question from various sides. Diversity might turn into the preferential treatment of people of certain races, nationalities, and gender. For instance, some employees would feel oppressed if the company promoted excessive tolerance and gave priority to people from other cultural communities. As a result, social tension arises, leading to discrimination. Moreover, due to the recently exploded waves of modern feminism, it is known that some women demand work in positions that were considered male priorities. Therefore, the explosion of extra tolerance to employees of certain belongings might cause irrecoverable damage to those who have established their workplaces for a long time.

As a result of inaccurate social changes and radical measures, social tension arises and leads to discrimination. Moreover, due to the recently exploded waves of modern feminism, it is known that some women demand work in positions that were considered male priorities. Therefore, the explosion of extra tolerance to employees of certain belongings might cause irrecoverable damage to those who have established their workplaces for a long time. It shows that proper and accurate practical measures are vital to implementing diversification.

What is more, cultural misunderstanding is inescapable if to implement cultural diversity. Mostly, it concerns businesses and workplaces in the international arena. For instance, Chinese people close their eyes while listening attentively; it looks like they are sleeping. This gesture can cause misunderstanding, and other employees may think Chinese colleagues are bored. Moreover, in some cultures, giving a thumbs-up gesture is offensive, and the person might accidentally offend the partner. Language barriers can become one more obstacle; many people usually use the English language as a lingua franca. Indeed, it might not help in regular life if someone is not acquired with English.

Approaches to promote diversity in society

One of the most prominent ways to implement and promote social diversity is cultural pluralism. According to this theory, pluralism celebrates and encourages diversity and reduces cultural differences. Within this frame, cultural pluralism accepts multiculturalism without preferential treatment or discrimination of a certain race. Moreover, it is essential to note that multiculturalism can be an interchangeable notion for cultural pluralism, as both are focused on promoting diversity and equality among all members of society.

A multicultural society can be an excellent option for minority groups who have been oppressed for a long time and continue to suffer from the effects of discrimination. Indeed, not every country is ready to involve cultural pluralism, as a significant part of the responsibility falls on ordinary people, who might not be prepared for some types of innovation.

Perhaps, some members of society might feel cultural shock if to apply multiculturalism at once. It is worth mentioning that multiculturalism is a relatively radical measure of social change, and it might confuse other people’s standard order of life. Moreover, it is necessary to understand that the effectiveness of diversity strategies depends mainly on people’s ways of thinking, habits, and behavior. Multiculturalism is a measure of positivists who support scientific approaches.

Equality and inclusion norms relate to fair and equal treatment in terms of gender, race, nationality, physical abilities, and sexual orientation. All these methods have shown their effectiveness in relation to people, especially when held in schooling organizations (Schachner 5). Equality and inclusion norms might be implemented in classes of schools and universities; people communicate and acquire each other’s cultures, experiences, and backgrounds. It is worth mentioning that the acquisition of diversity in society can happen in workplaces as well. Thus, employees exchange their points of view and make the process unique and effective.

Many scientists consider that functional approaches are more efficient than a revolution in relation to social change (Yang). There are two fundamental but opposed approaches – positivism and interpretivism. The scientific methods of positivists include data collecting, sampling, analysis, and research, while interpretivists rely on empirical data and experiments.

One of the studies claim that the combination of the two approaches is the most efficient option (Yang). Diversity management studies how diversity affects employees in their businesses. Some studies show that the interaction of people from various cultures is a great option for achieving business goals (Brannon). Finally, interpretive-oriented studies strive to find ways to unite the community and come to effective problem-solving.

Research samples

According to this study, non-immigrant students in late childhood and early adolescence managed to build friendly relations with immigrant students. It is worth mentioning that modern schools and universities promote diversity and teach to treat people equally irrespectively of their origin or other signs. The 2018 study by Schwarzenthal et al. showed that cultural pluralism and equality/inclusion norms are efficient ways to build communication and improve relations within the community.

The research held in the U.S. in 2018 by Tiffany Brannon investigated the effects of inclusive diversity in universities (Brannon). The study included Asian, African American, Latino, and White European students. The research aimed to examine whether the measures of inclusive diversity are efficient in benefiting group outcomes. Inclusive measures include non-scientific and careful strategies to set the new order gently. Students of various races and nationalities communicated with each other, solved certain tasks and interacted with each other’s cultures and experiences. The results were recorded in written form.

In general, Brannon claims that diversity in society remains an evident problem in terms of higher education. It is apparent that families of various nationalities and races would have different levels of income and, therefore, various economic, health, and well-being opportunities. Brannon also considers that African American and Latino people were oppressed and thought to be marginalized for a long period (Brannon). Besides, it was expected that prejudices would affect the experiment. Indeed, students manifested as tolerant people who know the basics of other cultures and traditions.

Research results

Notably, the study showed positive outcomes. Despite some students being reluctant to change and some of them trying to manifest as dominant ones, the experiment demonstrated a positive impact. Students of various races reported that the interaction between them was a “knowledge-giving contact” (Brannon 358). Other participants managed to build trustful relationships with other students. Participants were to communicate with each other and present in a large group together. Finally, the study demonstrated positive outcomes of intercultural interaction, which can lead to more effective problem-solving and management within the group. It is seen that the study used practical or interpretive approaches to reach the goal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is known that there are many benefits to making society diverse. For instance, it can culturally enrich the country and its citizens. Moreover, it can recover past experiences and bring new ones. At the same time, not all countries are ready for the diversification of society. Indeed, the two studies showed that diversity brings positive outcomes concerning individuals and groups. Participants shared their positive experiences and claimed that multicultural interaction was proper. Moreover, it was seen that positivism was opposed to interpretivism. It proves that non-scientific, empirical, and non-forceful measures are more considerable and effective in terms of working with people.

Works Cited

Brannon, Tiffany N. “Reaffirming King’s Vision: The Power of Participation in Inclusive Diversity Efforts to Benefit Intergroup Outcomes.” Journal of Social Issues, vol. 74, no. 2, 2018, pp. 355–76. Crossref. Web.

Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – making sense of the jargon. Equasense, 2019. Web.

Healey, Joseph, and Andi Stepnick. Diversity and Society: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender. 6th ed., SAGE Publications, Inc, 2019.

Importance of a Diverse and Inclusive Society. The Dream Cather, 2017. Web.

Schachner, Maja K. “From Equality and Inclusion to Cultural Pluralism – Evolution and Effects of Cultural Diversity Perspectives in Schools.” European Journal of Developmental Psychology, vol. 16, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1–17. Crossref. Web.

Schwarzenthal, M., Schachner, M. K., van de Vijver, F. J. R., and Juang, L. P. “Equal but different: Effects of equality/inclusion and cultural pluralism on intergroup outcomes in multiethnic classrooms.” Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, vol. 24, no. 2, 2018, pp. 260–271. Web.

Yang, Sooyoung. “Enhancing Accessibility, Diversity, and Literacy of Heritage Language Maintenance in Our Community: A Proposal for Public Libraries with a Focus on the Korean Community,” 2020. Web.

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