Why Did Diversity Become a Bad Word?
Gordon C. Nagayama Hall, Ph.D.Life in the Intersection
The benefits of diversity for everyone are overlooked.
“Diversity” is one of the seven words the Trump administration banned for use by the Centers for Disease Control. But the Trump administration is not the only group that is uncomfortable with diversity. Some universities and businesses have replaced the term diversity with terms such as “inclusion” and “equity”. Some people are more comfortable with these terms.
Diversity is defined as differences between groups. For example, Asian Americans may be different from White Americans because of the languages they speak, the priority they put on their family, and how important being Asian is to them. Diversity is also differences within a group. Not all Asian Americans speak the same Asian language, prioritize their family, or see being Asian as important.
Why do people resist diversity? There are three main reasons:
- Colorblindness. Some people believe that differences are not important. Seeing differences could be construed as bad or even racist. But colorblindness is associated with increased racial prejudice, racial anger, and racial fear.
- Cultural inertia. Some people don’t want their culture to change. When majority groups don’t want to change, they expect minority groups to adapt to their culture. This way, the majority group doesn’t have to change.
- Zero sum gain. Some people believe that they will lose something if they include others who are different from themselves. Making a place for someone else is seen as taking a place from another person. Diversity is seen as harming those in power.
Critics of diversity contend that it only benefits minority groups. But research indicates that diversity actually benefits everyone. Groups that are not diverse risk being narrow-minded and overlooking important information. Having a variety of perspectives helps new ideas to develop.
Diversity has been found to improve the accuracy of jury statements and of trade market statements. It also leads to more thorough political discussion. Wages are higher in United States communities with more immigrants. Diversity harnesses the resources of all citizens of a society.
Diversity is not a bad word. It can create good for everyone.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu