A checkbox, is not a light!
Originally published on hirediversity.us January 17, 2018
By Sumanth Channabasappa — Founding Director of The CORE
Remember Lost, the TV Series from earlier this century? If so, remember “The Others”? That’s what this past year seems to have been like in my adopted country. I have heard “Those morons…” by — smart — people on either side of #netneutrality. The #sh**hole comment has led to social media posts that go from the defensive to defending. I have been in houses and vehicles whose only source of “news” has been <insert your favorite polarizing outlet>. And then there are “tweet squirrels”, which leave a wake of unresolved differences forgotten too soon.
To generalize, many conversations seem to have a thin line: “basically, you agree with me (chorus!)” or “you definitely disagree (you…you are one of those irrational people!)”. This behavior has various parallels to exceptionalism. Feelings of “superiority” without reason, “rationality” without logic and condescension of “others”. Every time we dismiss disagreements without empathy — no matter how ludicrous it sounds to us — we are radiating this as much as the “other” person! I am part of the problem. I haven’t always been able to separate my knee-jerk reactions from rationality. Where I have been lucky are when these conversations have happened with friends and strangers from outside the U.S., typically outside these United States.
Let’s take a step aside from this soapbox and think about all the efforts to be inclusive and to embrace diversity. How can we be inclusive when we thrive in “echo chambers” and crave “ideological eugenics”? Are we truly prepared for diversity if we aren’t ready, individually or collectively, to communicate with someone who has ideological differences? Can we work with someone who likes different #hashtags? Let alone a different gender identity, color, culture, or sexual preference than our own? If not, can we expect “others” to accept “us”?
Now, I love the recent open conversations about diversity and inclusion. I also support many of the marches — both literal and figurative. I also believe that we need to treat symptoms *and* the causes! Let’s have conversations, with people who agree and those who disagree! And if people don’t realize the importance of diversity and inclusion, it may be good to point them to the principles that started this country, and the culture of conversation that has made vast strides since then. In short, let’s enable conversations, not just “checkboxes”.
On MLK day, it may be poignant to remember his words:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.“
Hence the title!
Sumanth is a technologist and entrepreneur who loves to work on globally impactful innovations that deliver market-based returns. His experiences include leadership & contributions to technologies such as: mobile, broadband, Internet, network security, Voice over IP (VoIP), and the Internet of Things (IoT). He currently contributes in these areas: health, smart cities, solutions for the blind and healthy foods.
He is a Founding Director of The CORE, a group of accomplished multi-disciplinary leaders who help companies scale their businesses, accelerate innovation, and execute spinoffs. He is also a co-founder and CTO at eyeBot, which is building solutions for the blind and visually impaired.
He mentors leaders and entrepreneurs at: Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, Rockies Venture Club, Prime Health, CU’s New Venture Challenge, and 10.10.10. He currently advises Science Galaxy and the CO Smart Cities Alliance.
