I recently went through all of the different courses and received my GRI designation. It was an interesting process and most of the courses were very good. I found a lot of the information that I was exposed to educational and I use a lot of what I learned every day.
One of the courses was Diversity in America. It mainly dealt with the 7 protected classes mandated by federal law. You all do remember the 7 protected classes - right?
Race
- Color
- Religion
- National Origin
- Sex
- Disability
- Familial Status
So, according to federal laws, if you can be categorized in one of these classes, discriminating against you is unlawful. Many state and local laws add to these classes in different areas across the country.
My question is, on a broader plane, just how do you define diversity? Why should people be pigeonholed into different classes in order to be protected? Don't you think it's kind of a shame to have to have laws about being fair? Didn't we all grow up being taught to play nice in the sandbox?
I'd like to share with you my definition of diversity. If that person isn't ME, then they're diverse. Isn't that simple? So, everyone is diverse, everyone is special, everyone gets protected, and everyone gets the same consideration and level of professional service.
Makes life a lot easier for me. And for those of you who refuse or are uncomfortable working with any kind of person out there, send them my way - I'd be glad to take a referral. Sheesh - they're just people - like you and me.
;)
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