Feb 17 2009
Diversity: Questioning the Political Project
Let’s set socially constructed “political correctness” aside for a moment and interrogate the concept of Diversity.
Diversity is a social construct I find myself learning to loathe. Therefore, for now, I am going to bracket “diversity”. “Diversity” is defined as 1. “a variety of something, such as opinion, color, or style” 2. ethnic variety, as well as socioeconomic and gender variety, in a group, society, or institution, 3. discrepancy, or a difference from what is normal or expected.
To definition one: I find the biological view of human beings, which inherently posits homo sapiens as a naturally occurring biological organisms like fruit flies, mold, and fungus, disheartening. I accept we are biological creatures; however, I do not accept we come in varieties. To accept this underlying assumption negates what I know to be scientifically confirmed through the Human Genome Project (among other scientific achievements): Today, common man exists as homo sapiens sapiens. Genetically, there are no variations. The world created as if there are variations is not found in Nature, it is found in the realm of social construction as political. It is divisive, conflicted, and antagonistic. I realize my view will be rejected by creationists, eugenicists, KKK-type groups, and any other fundamentalisms which allow “the-other” to be placed in a socially-constructed hierarchy below “self”. (Thank you John Wesley, Martin Buber, and Emmanuel Levinas).
To definition two: See my response to definition #1!
To definition #3: “discrepancy, or a difference from what is normal or expected.” (My head just exploded!) “Diversity” inherently presumes and promotes the view of man rooted, grounded, and supportive of Eugenics, “racism,” and “other-ness”. Therein I find a fatal flaw. By “supporting diversity” we are asked to support that we are not equal in any view: biological, social, or political. We are asked to support the existence of a “norm” and “norms” are constructs of man and mankind alone.
For me, the Golden Rule answers the question of “diversity”. I wish we would reconsider the wisdom of this social concept… or maybe the intentionality…
Hmmm a full circle argument indeed. Good point though,
Cheers!
Great piece! Diversity and Multiculturalism are helping wreck this country because they undermine the unique character of the American experience and promote disunity.
http://politicalanimal.today.com/
How are you using “neoliberal” in your comment? Usually I only see that from foreign thinkers to describe US-style free market globalized economics.
I could see where if you encouraged people to move towards self-centered cultures that stayed poorer due to increased autarky, that you would create a larger permanent working class to feed low-wage workers into businesses; a more homogeneous culture would tend to be more upwardly mobile and harder to economically take advantage of, unless you sold products that catered to a better-educated clientele.