Diversity in Organizations

Diversity has become a popular topic of discussion in recent years. Whether in regards to race, sexual orientation, or physical handicap, diversity has been making headlines in one form or another thanks to society’s ever growing desire for inclusiveness.

In lecture we learned that prejudices are negative attitudes toward an organization member based on one’s culture group identity. Discrimination is the actual observable behavior stemming from prejudice. Stereotypes are affected by our personal values and can be either positive or negative depending on whether they are traits we value or don’t, respectively.

Chances are all of us have struggled with diversity at some point in our lives. Whether we were a part of the “in-group” or “out-group” diversity, and how we cope with it, shapes our perspectives and strengthens us as individuals. Although we are lucky to be exposed to such a multitude of cultures in Hawai`i, prejudice and to a lesser degree discrimination still exist. It’s important to work as individuals, and as a whole, to stop this hurtful frame of thought.