Diversity and Inclusion Imbalance That People Aren’t Talking About

Diversity is defined as a variety. The condition of having or being composed of different elements. The inclusion of different types of people such as race/culture, in a group/organization. 

Inclusion is defined as a relation between two classes that exists when all members of the first are also members of the second.

To include

• To take in or comprise as a part of a whole or group.

With those definitions in mind, I want to dive deeper into the current diversity and inclusion topic we constantly see in the media. Before we begin I want you to keep these three questions in mind:

1. Can space be diverse without inclusion? 
2. Are there various levels of inclusion? 
3. Which matters more diversity or inclusion? 

Let me break down my train of thought a bit. 

I grew up most of my life in the Wakefield/Baychester area of the Bronx. Most of my friends and neighbors were Black and/or Latino. A few people were also Indian. Many would say this sounds like a diverse community. I have to disagree. Although Blacks, Latinos, and Indians all have different cultures, society classifies us all as “people of color”. I could honestly say that I can’t recall ever having white or Asian friends growing up. I probably could have counted on one hand the total amount of Asian or White people in my school’s overall population. I didn’t know what life as a white/Asian person looked like or felt like. I was left to resort to what TV portrayed their life as which was fantasized and stereotypical.

When I moved to Baldwin, Long Island in 11th grade, it was a whole new experience. The community and school had Black, Latino, Indian, Asian and White kids hanging out, being friends, hooking up, etc., with each other. To me, this is what true diversity looked like. It was not just diverse because of multiple people from multiple cultures, it was inclusive. They had experiences and shared their cultures with each other in a respected and cultural appreciative way versus a cultural depreciative way.

Cultural Appreciation: supporting and celebrating culture, not your own, in a respectful and honorable way.

Cultural Depreciation: stealing a culture and using it for personal gain while ignoring and disrespecting the people of that culture.

The Bronx as a whole, alongside Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn, are very enclave centered communities. People live in groups and geographical locations based on ethnicity and culture.

We all know exactly where to find groups living in places such as Chinatown, the Brooklyn Jewish community, Caribbeans of the Bronx and Brooklyn, Italians in Queens/Brooklyn. These communities and the individuals that live in them may purchase services and do business with each other, but overall, the level of inclusion does not penetrate the surface (until their kids fall in love outside their race and forces inclusion…another topic for another article).

In Long Island, what I found was that the inclusion was able to penetrate deeper. I strongly believe it is because of the socioeconomic status of the individuals.

Socioeconomics: relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors.

If I continue with my own example when you compare it, in Long Island, the household income is higher than the Bronx. Hence, the people here have more stability, long term assurances, and most likely, are more educated and work in similar industries to their neighbors. The layout of living also promotes collaboration and trust among community members. ( Back yards, community parks, etc). You also get to have more direct access to see what life experiences are of people who don’t look like you. You build empathy and unity with these individuals, which are two key factors for building relationships and community.

I see it as Diversity is Various people from various races and cultures sharing:

• The same space
• The same income level
• The same securities

Whereas inclusion is more of Various people from various races and cultures interacting:

• In the same space
• Building relationships
• Mutually increasing each other’s income levels

Remember the three questions I told you to keep at the top of your mind? How are they making you feel now?

Can space be diverse without inclusion? 

Yes, I think so.

Are there various levels of inclusion? 

Yes I believe there are 

Which matters more diversity or inclusion? 

I think inclusion has a more positive impact long term. 

Let me know in the comments your answers. 

But we aren’t done yet! 

I kept digging after these thoughts and it brought me one more huge question 

Does too much inclusion dilute your culture and diversity?

I think it has the potential to unless we are conscious about maintaining positive and unique cultural identifiers.

Why positive?

Let’s take a look at this example: White culture has been inclusive of racial prejudice against black people, to the point of believing black people are not even fully functioning and capable humans. Heck, not even human at all. This cultural identifier, NAH, it needs to be left in the past. It’s a lie that systematically holds back black people while upholding white privilege.

What do you think about diversity and inclusion?