The Polarization Of Diversity In Society

When we relate to diversity as a negative societal attribute, we divide. It is inevitable. While some assimilate, others divide. We, as a species, are composed of various identities. To ignore this, is to create division and ignore reality. Difference is a strength that creates diverse communities with different forms of knowledge and ways of being. We can learn and grow by embracing this diversity. But instead, we are often polarized by our differences. This polarization has been fostered through our history, and only further divides us on the bases of different identities. But, we have options. By discussing our differences, acknowledging our positions in society, and understanding how intersectionality and internalized oppression take place

It is when we are able to recognize that these systems exist and our roles within them, that we can productively rethink diversity by working from a base of truth. In Debbie Irving’s book Waking Up White she takes us through her personal journey of realizing her own privilege as a white woman. Irving writes to express how she started to learn of systems in play that create privilege for her, but also how she hadn’t even them noticed to begin with. Due to the hierarchy of skin types created by the system of whiteness, white people often don’t acknowledge themselves as being different from others, but rather see themselves as the norm.. This recognition of race and acknowledgement of whiteness as a system are crucial in fostering discussion around diversity to establish a more inclusive societal rhetoric. Irving recognizes that white people have the privilege of not thinking of race or thinking from others perspectives at times, but how realizing this and actively acknowledging one’s positionality due to their race, while uncomfortable, leaves room for growth and honest discussion. Not acknowledging one’s role leads to ignorance and a continuation of oppressive actions. In Dancing on Live Embers, by Tina Lopes and Barb Thomas, the two actively discuss how whiteness affects their relationship as colleagues. Throughout the

Due to societal norm agendas being pushed everywhere within society (the classroom, texts, media, etc.), we often embrace the parts that make us societally acceptable, and shun or change the parts that don’t. This is an oppressive act against ourselves, and acts as a communal oppressive act when not discussed. Scaachi Koul makes an excellent point of how internal oppression affects our everyday actions and thoughts in her piece “One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter”. From being a different size, a person of color, and a women, Koul takes us through her internal dialogue. She explains how embarrassing it is to be caught in predicaments due to her physical size, and hopes through buying new clothing it’s going to make her a better person. In our current society, being anything but what is considered the “ideal” female form as a woman is the equivalent of not being an adequate person. In our current society, being anything other than a cis, heteronormative, white, able bodied male is reason to question your existence and competence. This seeps into our bodies as we hold onto the histories of the people before us, and how their differences were seen as weakness. In order to move towards a society that embraces our differences, rather than expecting assimilation to one type of identity, we must learn how we internalize what we find