The O-town Scene

the DIVERSITY SCENE Doc Rob Wrangles |by Robin Nussbaum Diversity and social justice, what's the difference anyway? Over the years, I have worked in several positions where increasing diversity and inclusion were some of the main goals of my job. I have often tried to argue while diversity and inclusiveness of different social identities and backgrounds are nice, laudable goals, they aren't sufficient. At this moment you may be saying, "What!? What more is there?" Beyond diversity and inclusion is social justice. Diversity is honoring and respecting differences and rec- ognizing the richness that people from various backgrounds bring to an organization or community. Social justice takes this notion one step further by requiring that we actively work to eradicate inequality while recognizing the privilege and power held by dominant groups. Diversity tends to focus on marginalized communities. Social justice brings the dominant communities into the room. A col- league and friend of mine, Jessica Pettitt, who is also a social justice advocate, wrote: "Social justice is not about solving difference or even celebrating difference. It is about self- awareness and how your lived experiences make you different from those around you." She goes on to point out how this perspective puts some of the onus of change on each of us and draws focus to our own places of power and marginalization. It is then with the awareness of our own positions of power that we may use our strength and weight to fight for diversity, inclusion, equity and full social justice for all people. A true social justice perspective also requires that we consider every issue from multiple perspec- tives — that we "unpack" each issue. What might be the impacts on various other communities if we pursue this initiative or policy? We have to ask who gets left out or left behind in this situation? Let's take a specific case. Recently, Secretary of State Hil- lary Rodham Clinton gave a speech to the United Nations where she took a strong stance in support of LGBT rights and recognition. She even stated that the Obama administration will begin considering a country's stance on LGBT rights as it makes decisions regarding foreign aid. Understandably, many mainstream LGBT groups have applauded her position Diversity tends to focus on mar- ginalized communities. Social justice brings the dominant communities into the room. and appreciate the promise of consequences for countries that do not support basic LGBT rights. However, some international activists have expressed concern over such a position. They explain that it is small and struggling LGBT rights organizations in the countries with the worst records of LGBT rights who may suffer the most under such a policy. In fact, the countries most impacted by such a policy may be the very countries most in need of foreign aid. Moreover, governments in those countries may respond with vicious crackdowns against their LGBT citizens in order to quiet their complaints of a lack of rights and prevent their stories from reaching international notice. Our contributors talk about different aspects of diversity, from LGBTQ issues to questions of ethnicity and more. To submit a column or event, email editor@otownscene.com. The point here is that as soon as one begins to dig a little deeper or look at the issue from various viewpoints, one can see how LGBT people in third world countries, particularly in Africa, might find this policy, while well intended, to have an extremely negative impact on their experience. We must always be ready to look at an issue or a policy and ask, how will this affect women, people of color, poor people, etc.? By applying the lenses of sexism, racism, classism and ho- mophobia, we may be able to lessen any unintended impacts of less well-thought-out actions. While diversity and inclusion are pre-requisites for a truly socially just society, they are not sufficient in the creation of that society. Such a society requires thoughtfulness and a will- ingness to unpack each issue, pick it apart, and look for the impacts on marginalized communities. Such a society requires that where we hold privilege and power, we must employ that power to help others see injustice and oppression and bring an end to it. Robin Nuss- baum is the coordinator of the Gender and Sexual- ity Resource Center at SUNY One- onta. She can be reached at nussbar@ oneonta.edu. 18 O-Town Scene Jan. 12, 2012

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