Diversity is becoming an increasingly important topic worldwide, encompassing various spheres of life, ranging from government and business to popular culture. Looking through the history lens can enhance our understanding of diversity since it helps individuals comprehend the importance of being inclusive and diverse. For instance, the historical path of the United States is significantly shaped by the institution of slavery and patriarchy. American history is tightly connected with the Black and white divide (Lee & Bean, 2010). Acknowledging the past injustices inflicted against particular racial, ethnic, and gender groups help individuals realize the importance of compensating for these past exclusions by ensuring diversity. Hence, looking through the history lens is especially important for the new generations who do not have a complete historical picture and thus may not fully understand the importance of diversity.
One of the current events at the forefront of the debate is the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse. He was charged for the shooting of Joseph Rosenbaum, among other criminal complaints (Hinkel, 2021). The event is significantly connected with the history of violence against black people, which has further roots in slavery. Separating the historical context from the current event might entail a different interpretation of who is guilty or not. However, considering racial violence’s historical and systematic context, one can understand that Rittenhouse’s charge is not a mere instance of teenagers using weapons. Instead, it constitutes only a piece of broader initialized racial injustice.
My profession as an event coordinator requires considering the events’ history, culture, and diversity. I try to ensure diversity in the pool of speakers and participants in the events so that different racial, ethnic, and gender groups are represented as much as possible. I also try to take into account the diverse cultures and their preferences. For instance, if I am aware that some participants will be Muslim, I will try to ensure that the food they consume does not contain pork and have access to places where they can pray during the event.
References
Hinkel, D. (2021). Jacob Blake’s uncle waits outside a quiet courthouse. The New York Times. Web.
Lee, J., & Bean, F. D. (2010). Diversity paradox: Immigration and the color line in twenty-first century America. Russell Sage Foundation. Web.