Siouxland Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 3

Do you shy away from communication that may bring up
dissenting views?
“The word ‘diversity’ often conjures images of a workplace
consisting of people from different backgrounds,
cultures, and genders. While those things certainly
explain a component of diversity, it’s only part of what
diversity includes. Realistically speaking, physical and
social aspects only comprise about half of diversity, and
the remainder lies in the diversity of thought,” stated
Rick Bowers in Training Industry Magazine.
In 2004, Anthony Lising Antonio, a Stanford Graduate
School of Education professor, said,” When we hear
dissent from someone who is different from us, it
provokes more thought than when it comes from
someone who looks like us.”
Do you enjoy talking to people who disagree with you?
Is a rousing debate something that invigorates you and
challenges your thought processes? Or would you rather
have the floor swallow you up and help you disappear
when a difficult or sensitive topic is broached?
Can you maintain a friendship with someone with
different views regarding issues you feel are important?
Do you end working relationships with colleagues based
on a different perspective?
There is (and has been for some time) a considerable
emphasis in U.S. popular culture right now on the
appreciation of diversity. We are often reminded of the
DEI efforts of nearly every organization, business, and
entity. Daily bombardment from the mainstream media
on race relations and identity politics can exhaust the
average person attempting to live a meaningful and
authentic life.
What does it say about us as a country or community if
we do not respect the diversity of thought? What does it
say about us individually if we do not value diversity of
thought?
Some people have different skin colors, and not everyone
has the same ethnic or racial background. We celebrate
these differences, and we are taught to appreciate the
differences in human sexuality and gender identity. We
hear praise for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“In the course of our
work with clients, we often see
diversity of thought
presented as a counter argument by
privileged identity groups
against efforts to increase the
representation of underrepresented
employees across levels
at an organization.
This can show up as tension
around efforts to increase
representation in the C-Suite
and the governing boards or
prioritizing focus on
socioeconomic status and political
differences in diversity work.
In this way,
diversity of thought
is often used to sidestep real action
and avoid accountability around bias,
unchecked privilege, and systemic
discrimination that has been
proven time and again to
exist in organizations
across all industries.”
– Rahimeh Ramezany
Siouxland Magazine | Conversing / 9
What about different thought processes? Are you able
to see value in a perspective that is in stark contrast to
your own?
Resources:
The Great Ideological Lie of Diversity by Jordan Peterson
Are you able to respect people who have ideas that
challenge your own beliefs and values? Are you able to
be friends with people who think differently than you?
Are you able to collaborate and problem-solve with a
coworker who has a different vision? Or do you prefer to
work with colleagues who think the same way you do?
Dr. Julie Lohr, DDS is a happy wife to Chris and a
proud mother to Jack, Savannah, Landon, Charlotte.
There is much diversity of thought in her household.