Goal
Today, I talk about diversity: what it is, why it’s a net negative, and how to rethink it.
Table of Contents
- What Is Diversity?
- How Is Diversity Used?
- Why Is Diversity A Negative?
- Scrap Diversity
- Individualism and Diversity
- Actionables
What Is Diversity?
Diversity has two definitions:
- “the state of being diverse; variety.”
- “the practice or quality of including or involving people from different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.”
Diversity, like most buzzwords, has become a contemptuous word, and for a good reason. It is a dead-end distraction utilized by collectivists to engorge their egos while adding nothing of value to others.
How Is Diversity Used?
“Individualism regards man—every man—as an independent, sovereign entity who possesses an inalienable right to his own life, a right derived from his nature as a rational being. Individualism holds that a civilized society, or any form of association, cooperation or peaceful coexistence among men, can be achieved only on the basis of the recognition of individual rights—and that a group, as such, has no rights other than the individual rights of its members.” – Ayn Rand
The modern man is obsessed with diversity. He wishes everyone to look distinct, speak differently, and have diverse proclivities, orientations, histories, and values. He wants to be surrounded by whatever is not familiar to him.
And he believes this to be good. He refuses to acknowledge any drawbacks. Furthermore, he considers himself a man of “culture” and “enlightenment” because he can shove so many shallow markers of diversity into his life. But he knows very little about himself, his own culture, family, and most importantly, virtue.
But that is diversity. It is valuing shallow markers of uniqueness that serves small-minded people’s egos. Additionally, diversity is used as a bludgeon to harm those who crave consistency, virtue, and the familiar.
Why Is Diversity A Negative?
Diversity commoditizes an individual’s experience. We are no longer individuals but simply representatives of a group. As representatives, we are touted in front of crowds and gatherings, displayed as a badge of honor for the “normal” people who want more excitement and diversity in their lives.
Firstly, when we value individuals for everything except their actions and virtues, we do not receive the best of the best. Virtue and actions are chosen. Your race, gender, nationality, and other arbitrary markers are not. When we value what is random, we will celebrate someone who is “diverse,” whether he is a brute or a genius.
Secondly, diversity is a weapon to attack those that value integrity and moral righteousness. How often have conversations been derailed because you do not share the racial background of the group you are discussing? How often have we seen unqualified, incapable people elevated to positions of authority because of quotas? How often have individuals’ opinions been disregarded because they are “privileged?”
Diversity is a negative wielded by collectivists to attack individualists, derail productive conversations, and force their way to the top.
Scrap Diversity
Overall, diversity is a concept not worth saving. Diversity distracts us from virtue. We only need to remember a simple rule: virtue is universal.
Individuals should be judged by the merit of their character and the moral integrity of their actions. They should not value or devalue someone because of arbitrary characteristics. We may applaud a man who has overcome poverty, but we celebrate him for his virtues, not for how he looks or talks.
Virtue is universal. No one should be barred from pursuing integrity, knowledge, or other positives because of arbitrary circumstances. All men, regardless of ability, can pursue their most virtuous selves. This reality is universal and transcends time, cultures, race, nations, and other irrelevant, manufactured limitations.
Individualism and Diversity
Individuals have no need for diversity. We need virtue, goals, and community. We do not need arbitrary, shallow markers of uniqueness.
We do not need quotas. We do not need programs like affirmative action and other nonsense. If we want to elevate individuals apart of oppressed groups or ensure more individuals are represented in certain spaces, then we focus on virtue.
Anyone can pursue virtue. The ability to pursue your best self is achievable by the most brilliant man and dumbest imp, the supermodel or the plain jane, the great inventor or the humble merchant.
Virtue improves individuals by pointing us toward what is sustainable, hard, and meaningful while pushing us away from what is vice-ridden and destructive. The collectivists want us to argue over quotas instead of demanding the best from ourselves and others.
Lastly, how do you deal with those obsessed with diversity? Ask them what they value about the individual. For example, “what talents does Maurice bring to the table? Why do you think he’s a good member of the team? Do you think others have or can cultivate these traits?” Asking these questions is both innocuous and revealing. I have stunned a few people with these questions and helped them see how they are obsessed not with the person but with an arbitrary trait.
Do not give them what they want. Stop obsessing over diversity and reject the distractions of collectivists.
Actionables
“Individual rights are the means of subordinating society to moral law.” – Ayn Rand
- Have you been a victim of diversity? Have you been in a position where you were valued for some arbitrary trait instead of your virtue? How did you feel? Did you tolerate the transgression or push back?
- Are you a part of the majority? Are you considered a “privileged” group? If yes, then have you been a victim of diversity? Have you lost a position because of affirmative action or been treated poorly by minorities? How did that make you feel? How did you process your emotions?
- Do you think it’s possible to reach a point where arbitrary features are irrelevant? Do you want to reach that point?
Please remember that it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.
*Image credit to Unsplash.
