THE DIVERSITY CREED
By Gene Griessman, Ph.D. © 1993I believe that diversity is a part of the natural order of things—as natural as the trillion shapes and shades of the flowers of spring or the leaves of autumn. I believe that diversity brings new solutions to an ever-changing environment, and that sameness is not only uninteresting but limiting.
To deny diversity is to deny life—with all its richness and manifold opportunities. Thus, I affirm my citizenship in a world of diversity, and with it the responsibility to….
- Be tolerant. Live and let live. Understand that those who cause no harm should not be feared, ridiculed, or harmed—even if they are different.
- Look for the best in others.
- Be just in my dealings with poor and rich, weak and strong, and whenever possible to defend the young, the old, the frail, the defenseless.
- Avoid needless conflicts and diversions, but be always willing to change for the better that which can be changed.
- Seek knowledge in order to know what can be changed, as well as what cannot be changed.
- Forge alliances with others who love liberty and justice.
- Be kind, remembering how fragile the human spirit is.
- Live the examined life, subjecting my motives and actions to the scrutiny of mind and heart so to rise above prejudice and hatred.
- Care.
To contact Gene Griessman about doing a keynote or seminar on diversity for your organization, call us at 404-256-5927, or send an email to abe@mindspring.com
WHY I WROTE THE DIVERSITY CREED
By Gene Griessman, Ph.D"Let us not be blind to our differences--but let us also direct attention to our common interests and the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."
John F. Kennedy American University, Washington, D.C. 10 June, 1963John F. Kennedy never made a more profound statement than the one in which he dreamed of a world safe for diversity. No American President has ever had a better dream.
Kennedy’s statement led me to write The Diversity Creed. It was first published in a university textbook I wrote entitled Diversity: Images And Opportunities that was published by HarperCollins in 1993. That little book is now out of print, but the creed has taken on a life of its own. The Diversity Creed has been used in diversity training programs, quoted in speeches, and published around the world. It’s a poster, a handout, and a greeting card. It shows up on collections of quotations on the Internet and it has been reprinted in countless publications.
I wrote the creed by asking this question: What would people have to do to create a world safe for diversity?
The creed begins with a preamble on the nature of diversity. Diversity is not something unusual or bizarre. It is the natural order of things. Sameness is what is unnatural. Moreover, diversity is not just normal, it’s desirable. It is nature’s way of finding solutions to problems.
After the preamble there’s a list of citizen duties that are necessary to sustain diversity.
Tolerance is the most basic duty, and in relative terms, the easiest to perform. Even individuals who are ethnocentric can be tolerant. They may think their own way is best; but, at the very least, they can be willing to tolerate those who are different, those who just might not quite measure up to them.
Looking for the best in others is a higher duty. This requires that we recognize that few things or individuals are entirely good or entirely evil. By mental and moral discipline, we focus on what is good.
Then comes justice. Justice means dealing in an even-handed with people who are different. The Book of Leviticus contains this ancient admonition: “You shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country.” (Leviticus 24:22)
Avoiding conflict is a still higher duty. Rivers of blood have been shed because tyrants big and little decided that different is bad.
Citizens of a diverse world must be practical. Knowledge must be sought to know whether, when, and how action should be taken.
An understanding of diversity can produce community. Alliances with people of good will can be formed. Individuals acting alone sometimes achieve much, but causes generally die out if they do not gain organized support.
Being kind. Tennessee Williams once told me, “Nothing that is human offends me unless it is unkind.” I agree, and worked that thought into the creed.
The examined life is, of course, a reference to the quotation by Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Caring is the capstone of the creed. I decided to add this admonition after reading a Wall Street Journal article about the effects of desegregation at Occidental College. According to the article, Occidental College had launched an ambitious diversity program. Its student body had become a wide spectrum of races, religions, and ethnic groups, and they were getting along reasonably well. But they had formed isolated, homogeneous cliques that studied together, ate together, and partied together. One student was quoted as saying that they “tolerated” one another. Hopefully, he said, one day we will “care” about one another.
Caring for other people is many levels higher than tolerating them. We are most like God when we care.
Before you go, let me mention the the one-man play that I wrote about Abraham Lincoln. It contains a powerful section on diversity. When I performed it for Fleet Mortgage Group’s diversity program, Patricia Ryan, who was then Fleet’s Director of Compliance, made this comment: “Dr. Griessman as Abe Lincoln brought a powerful message to Fleet’s diversity training program. The participants were excited to have their photo taken with someone who, as one participant stated, ‘moved my soul.’” Mark B. Van Kirk, a senior manager with Price Waterhouse LLP, who worked with the Fleet program, stated: “His spiritually moving program is a highlight of any event.” For information about a performance for your organization
Contact Gene Griessman about doing a keynote or seminar on diversity for for your organization. Book Abraham Lincoln to speak to your next important meeting. 404-256-5927; abe@mindspring.com.
DVD “LINCOLN ON COMMUNICATION”
"One of the very best videos/DVDs ever made. It's a classic like 'Gone With The Wind.' I show it in many of my seminars. Everyone loves it.”
Brad McRae, "The Seven Strategies of Master Presenters"
This educational resource is ideal for the classroom—for students from middle school andhigh school to college, government, and business. It’s been acclaimed by communication experts and educators alike.
It's perfect for self-study—for people who want to improve just like Lincoln did. The running time is 60 minutes, which makes it perfect for the classroom. It comes with a trainer guide written by Dr. Griessman, which includes discussion points and....MORE
$120.00 (Many videos of this quality sell for as much as $1000.)
Bonus: Order from this site and receive celebrated audio books absolutely free: "Lincoln's Wisdom" and "99 Ways to Get More Out of Every Day" ($64.95 value)Index To More Valuable Information And Powerful Quotes
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