Diversity: What it is and Why it???s important

By MPN Staff

The use of the word “diversity” has become increasingly popular in today’s world. With the rising generation’s constant push for equality in places like school, the government, and the workplace, their persistence is catapulting our society into an inclusive living space for all. But sometimes, it’s easy to forget just what diversity is and more importantly, who.

Diversity is defined as a variety or range of different things. In society, we typically define it as what makes people different from others; however, this definition is too vague. A more refined version would include examples of different diverse groups encompassing race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, and various other factors.

These groups are not meant to isolate those with commonalities, but to celebrate their unified differences. This is why diversity is so important. Those who may be experiencing social scrutiny are now on a level playing field with their peers. The march towards equality is only found in the acceptance of those who are different and the same.

Diversity is commonly mistaken as exclusively race-based.  While race is one of the branches of the diversity tree, this misconception can feed into racial tensions in and out of the workplace. Those who may not understand this should know what people in these diverse communities are working towards. It may sound oxymoronic, but diversity is about unification. More specifically, the unification of society despite social differences: to have the same degree of respect that other groups may have inherited. Understanding this can propel others into supporting diversity, and is essential to gaining perspective and maintaining equality.

            Ultimately, diversity is important because it enforces empathy: an empathy for others who are just as capable. The cultivation of new ideas is maximized through the acceptance of others. Diversity is about creating a unified feeling of wholeness within the human race. Diversity is about fully understanding, valuing, accepting, celebrating, and appreciating what it means to be human, regardless of dissimilarity.