1. Hobson says, “[R]ace is one of those topics in America that
makes people extraordinarily uncomfortable. You bring it up at a
dinner party or in a workplace environment, it is literally the
conversational equivalent of touching the third rail. There is
shock, followed by a long silence.” Why do you think it’s so
difficult to talk about race and diversity in our workplaces and
institutions? Do you think it has become easier, or harder, for
Americans to talk about race in 2023? Explain.
A.
The legacies of the historical past, societal norms, and psychological
factors make it difficult to address race and diversity within workplaces
and institutions. These discussions are emotionally charged as they are
rooted in the deep-seated history of discrimination in the United States,
including slavery and systemic racism. The discomfort of discussing race
issues as a taboo social subject as well as fear of causing offense or
misunderstanding often leads to avoidance. It may also arise from
unfamiliarity with racial issues. Additionally, it has become more
complicated to discuss race issues due to the polarization of views that
currently exist concerning the issue.
In relation to discussing race in 2023, dynamics differ with context and
involved persons. It is not surprising that, despite heightened awareness
of racial justice and diversity, resistance coupled with polarization makes
it more difficult in some cases to engage in these conversations. Such
dialogues should be approached with a sense of sensitivity and genuine
understanding of the opposing sides. For this to happen, open-mindedness
and respectful attitudes are required in order to engage in meaningful
discussions on race and diversity matters in the modern day.
2. Hobson says, “We cannot afford to be color blind. We have to
be color brave. We have to be willing, as teachers and parents
and entrepreneurs and scientists, we have to be willing to have
proactive conversations about race with honesty and
understanding and courage, not because it’s the right thing to
do, but because it’s the smart thing to do, because our
businesses and our products and our science, our research, all of
that will be better with greater diversity.” Identify opportunities
you have to be “color brave.” Why do you think Hobson says
diversity will make our businesses and products better?
A.
Being "color brave" involves actively participating in discussions about
race and diversity. This includes advocating for inclusivity in hiring and
leadership positions, engaging in diversity training, offering mentorship,
and supporting equitable policies. According to Mellody Hobson,
embracing diversity yields numerous benefits for businesses and
products:
Innovation
: Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, fostering
innovative and creative problem-solving.
