This is a true story. A few years back I was driving home one evening after teaching a graduate class at the University of Maryland. It was a November evening at about 10:15 p.m. and I was less than a mile from home when a police car appeared in my rearview mirror with its lights flashing. ME: I was confident I had done nothing wrong. I thought “Hmmm, maybe my … [Read more...] about Traffic Stops & White Privilege
Inclusion
Inclusion, Diversity, & Merit
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts are not fully understood by many people. This, along with the politicization of the topic, has led to significant pushback in recent years. One misunderstanding is that Diversity efforts are intended to hire women and people of color into jobs regardless of their qualifications. This is incorrect. While fears of “reverse … [Read more...] about Inclusion, Diversity, & Merit
The Inadvertent Racist
I have been an Inadvertent Racist. Maybe you too? A few years ago, the Governor of Virginia got in trouble for having appeared in a college activity that included people in blackface. I commented to some African American friends that I did not understand the problem. They kindly suggested that I do some research. Wow. You can read more here, but blackface was used by … [Read more...] about The Inadvertent Racist
Stand Firm on Your DEI Efforts
Political opportunists (Capital P on purpose) are attempting to create momentum from a Supreme Court ruling on college admissions to say that all DEI efforts should be eliminated. We cannot let this happen. Diversity: we live in a diverse country and our organizations need to reflect that - it is a good thing and the right thing to do. Do your staff recruitment efforts … [Read more...] about Stand Firm on Your DEI Efforts
Peace on Earth
Wars are raging. Hate crimes are on the rise, including Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and acts impacting people of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ Community, and essentially anyone who is not a WASPy straight, male (like me). If we ever needed more Peace on Earth, it is now. But what can just one person do about it? Christians are preparing to celebrate Christmas, Jews … [Read more...] about Peace on Earth