Diversity training or Reversity training

Has diversity training followed the path of the Hula-Hoop, the Macarena, or the Back Street Boys? As in gone for good?

Remember not too long ago when diversity training was all the rage? Or was it just something implemented to thwart civil lawsuits against businesses? Often lawsuits of discrimination resulted in the implementation of diversity training being mandated by the accused.

Diversity training was touted as a means to inform employees how to be aware of the culture differences of its peers. Differences such as age, race, gender, religion were thrust into corporate mission statements.

Had these sessions been voluntary, it may have worked. But, no. This type training or psychological programming became mandatory as a drug test. Employees took the training and its often narrow minded, paradigmed presentation or faced the threat of losing their job.

Too often these diversity sessions were conducted by a person who fit the disenfranchised demographic. In other words, you didn't find too many white men conducting diversity training. The gist of diversity training became, " Look at me. I am the Black, the female, the Hispanic, the Asian, the worshiper who you have discriminated against. It's me that you hold down. I am here to make you embrace me and my needs to advance."

With that tone, diversity actually turned in "reversity". Diversity sanctioned minority preference as opposed to equal opportunity. It's premise was that those who were, real or imagined, demographically discriminated had to be acknowledged and embraced just because of their differences. If you were not a part of their coalition of victims, you should be ashamed of having personal desires to succeed in the work place. Your personal goal should be set aside in order to facilitate their progress.

Diversity was all about "letting the perceived victims treat others as they have accused others of treating them. Go to the back of the bus white guys and let us take over based solely upon our differences. Our difference is the only qualification necessary. When we walk into the workplace, you must stop and immediately acknowledge that I am here and that I may have concerns. Put your selfish needs aside. It's all about us."

That reverse discrimination didn't work. Yes, it may have prevented a few lawsuits or outrageous fines. But it didn't lead to great leaps and bounds for minorities in the workplace. It raised and reversed the level of resentment.

Only when we stop reversing racism and discrimination will we stop worsening racism and discrimination.