The Two Views of Diversity, con't

This is a continuation of the September 9, and September 29, 2007 posts. Here are three more defintions of "diversity" from writers in this field:


“Differences are what diversity is all about. Although many organizations are now offering diversity training for their employees, diversity is not really a skill or something for which you can be trained. Diversity simply means “differences, and in this book it means ‘differences in people.’ Whether diversity becomes an asset or a liability to you and your organization depends on how you use it.” Source: Kay DuPont, CSP (Stands for Certified Speaking Professional) Handling Diversity Issues in the Workplace (West Des Moines: American Media Publishing, 1997), p. 9


“Diversity refers to any mixture of items characterized by differences and similarities.” Source: R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. Redefining Diversity (New York: AMACOM American Management Association, 1996), p. 5

Roosevelt Thomas's definition of diversity is similar, but not identical ten years later:

"Diversity refers to the differences, similarities, and related tension that exist in any mixture. Note especially that the term includes differences and similarities. Diversity is not limited to issues of race and gender, nor is it confined to the workforce." Source: R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. Building on the Promise of Diversity: How We can Move to the Next Level in Our Workplaces, Our Communities and Our Society. (New York, Atlanta, Brussels, Chicago, Mexico city, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington DC: AMACOM American management Association, 2006), p. xi