Unit VI Managing Diversity PP

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UnitVISG.pdf

BSL 4000, Managing Diversity in Organizations 1

Reading Assignment

Chapter 4: Blacks/African Americans, pp. 98-104, 118-122

Chapter 5: Latinos/Hispanics, pp. 134-139, 157-159

Chapter 6: Asians/Asian Americans, pp. 166-172, 188-190

Chapter 7: Whites/Caucasians, pp. 196-209

Chapter 8: Native Americans and Multi-Racial Group Members, pp. 226-230, 240-241

Chapter 9: Sex and Gender, pp. 248-250, 273-275

Unit Lesson

Nations around the globe encounter significant challenges concerning diversity. How a nation adjusts to the needs of ever-changing societies and communities guides the foundations of the nation. A nation of laws will look at treatment of those who compose the nation. A government develops laws based on the collective morals, beliefs, and ethics of the nation or those in power.

The United States has a history of changing laws regarding child labor, the disabled, and those of minority ethnic groups. For generations, the United States prided itself on being “the Great American Melting Pot.” Individuals, families, and groups have come to the United States to flee oppression and persecution. The United States is a nation of immigrants. Many nations over generations have offered sanctuary to those who were being discriminated against or sought out for extinction.

The United States, like other countries around the world, has its moments in history that, upon reflection, may not be a shining beacon of model diversity. The country has a history of child labor abuses. The nation has a

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Title history of enslavement of minority ethnicities. The nation has a history of placing U.S. citizens of Asian heritage in encampments during World War II. U.S. history tells the story of a growing and evolving nation.

The laws of the United States have continued to evolve as the nation has grown and developed. The Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery legally. Laws towards civil rights, affirmative action, and the Americans with Disabilities Act are all examples of how the country has continued to adopt laws to meet the needs of the people, in turn advancing the nation as a diverse population. The government adopts these laws as a new standard to which the population is expected to adhere. The laws during their infancy may meet with resistance as change is being implemented to alter the philosophy and practices of the societal culture.

The government at the different levels, based on the stated needs of the population, drafts legislation to improve the quality of life for those in the nation. Such legislation includes the previously mentioned legislation as well as issues of one person-one vote and women's right to vote. As the needs of modern society shift, the legislation is drafted as a bill. The constituents have the opportunity to contact their representatives whether local, state, or federal.

Does the legislation represent the people? Representatives of a cause or expressed need will meet with lawmakers to get the bill introduced. In concept, the government representatives will work with those who express the needs, others in their region, and additional lawmakers to develop and introduce the legislation for further consideration. After multiple revisions, the federal legislation may clear both houses of Congress. After continued debate, if it has not been dropped or delayed, revisions of the amended legislation will be voted on in the houses of Congress and potentially become law. Other countries may have different versions of how legislation becomes law; most democratic nations will follow a similar process.

How, then, is it determined that legislation is needed, and at what level? Not all laws are at the federal level. An ordinance or a city, county, or state law may be more impactful. One of the challenges is funding and enforcement. A law that cannot be enforced has little value. A law that has little support by the population will meet with significant resistance.

Lyndon Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act (Stoughton, 1964)

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The concept of legislation to support diverse population needs is often for protection of the stated population and similar scenarios that set precedence. The laws are intended to improve quality of life and overall community. Some laws are passed on a basis of ethics and moral value. When the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, there was an ethical basis for improving relations and opportunities for minority ethnic groups. Reports of discrimination, prejudice, and segregation continued in some parts of the country (Bell, 2017). Constituents in these areas were not as supportive of these laws as they promoted a way of thought, action, and belief that was not commonly accepted previously. Enforcement of these laws promoted change and a shift in the common moral fabric. Were these actions correct in the sight of the local population? The question of federal legislation in local communities is a significant factor. Federal law, in most cases, supersedes local or state law. The federal law was implemented based on a certain belief system that all people are created equal and deserve fair treatment.

What prompts legal action and government intervention to be necessary? The purpose can be for many reasons. U.S. history is filled with waves of immigrants choosing to leave their home country to pursue what is perceived as a better opportunity. Due to poverty, governmental shifts, religious beliefs, military coups, wars, or economic suppression, individuals, families, and groups have chosen to leave what they know as home to come to what they believe will be a better life.

There is a history in the United States and other countries of human beings being used as a commodity. As such, there were population groups that were brought to a country or region against their will. Some may have been bought or sold in order to provide for a family back in the individual's homeland. There are stories of such events occurring in Great Britain, Russia, and Asia generations ago. Reportedly, similar behaviors are still occurring in countries other than those previously listed. Laws are in place to prevent such behaviors, but enforcement takes a different perspective.

Government leaders, enforcement agencies, advocacy groups, and regulatory agencies all provide some degree of monitoring, management, and enforcement. In addition, interpretation of the law, personnel management, and lack of resources impact the ability to effectively enforce the laws as stated. The challenge, then, is not the law itself. Implementation of the stated law is complicated if funding does not accompany the law. If funds are not clearly allocated, the resources may then be directed to other projects deemed important at the local levels.

Throughout history, community activists, neighborhood watch groups, and even the authors of the Bill of Rights have advocated for the rights (e.g., freedom of speech, right to bear arms) of those who have been unable to stand independently. Once the laws are passed, the community will stand up and be counted; the paradigm shifts. If the government enforcement agencies with limited resources locally support the law, alternatives can be formed. Communities of ethnic groups form neighborhoods and small communities within the larger community to strengthen and support each other. The ability to support each other under the law rather than live independently with no legal recourse or protection creates a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the community.

The socio-behavioral pattern is altered under the conditions of the legislation being passed. The same holds true for employment and vocational opportunities. Bands of like-minded individuals support each other. Whether the legislation concerns orientation, ethnicity, or gender, legislation empowers those treated unfairly to an added degree of equality. The law provides the foundation, but the platform is only built when action is taken and society acclimates. Adaptation comes in time and practice, and legislation does not guarantee all of society will freely accept and adjust willingly.

Legislation serves a purpose to set precedence as the societal paradigm shifts. An issue can also be over- legislated to a point of obstruction or hindrance, limiting possibilities to the protected group and others as a standout with special needs. Balance between legislative needs and social norms that are accepted is a fine line. Consideration of how much legislative intervention is required becomes increasingly challenging as people, groups, and communities of people will strive for greater influence or impact. Where there are no advocates or the dialogue becomes accusatory, slanderous, or judgmental, the matter becomes an issue of the people, of the community, and of societal perspective.

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Title Legislation serves a purpose, but legislation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. A foundation is constructed. The unity of a nation of diverse cultures stepping up to support and empower each other is what strengthens and adapts to the shifting paradigms of an advancing nation.

References

Bell, M. P. (2017). Diversity in organizations (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Stoughton, C. (1964, July 2). Lyndon Johnson signing Civil Rights Act, July 2, 1964 [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lyndon_Johnson_signing_Civil_Rights_Act,_July_2,_1964.jpg

Suggested Reading

In order to access the following resources, click the links below:

The following article profiles a diversity and inclusion officer in an organization and looks at her contributions in helping the company embrace diversity.

Capital One chief diversity and inclusion officer (2016, Winter). Profiles in Diversity Journal, 14-15. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/logi n.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=119273147&site=ehost-live&scope=site

The following article offers some different perspectives on finding diverse leaders for organizations.

Celistan, D. (2016). Diversity at the top. Credit Union Management, 39(12), 22-23. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/logi n.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=119660221&site=ehost-live&scope=site