Diversity & Communication
The fifth and last of NASPAA's core competencies, this requirement encompasses the ability to communicate and interact productively, in culturally responsive ways, with a diverse and changing workforce, as well as society at large.
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For Diversity and Communication, I selected two works I completed for my Racism and Diversity: Comparative Perspective class. While both of these materials discuss race, the paper also focuses on better political communication and strategy.
Occupational Segregation
Racism and Diversity: Comparative Perspective (Fall 2023)
This presentation explains how race and ethnicity play a role in occupational segregation, which describes the phenomenon of certain demographic groups being over- or under-represented in different industries. It discusses the historical and modern causes of occupational segregation, its economic effects, and how different racial and ethnic groups are impacted. The effects COVID-19 had on worsening occupational segregation are also highlighted. Potential solutions, including strengthening anti-discrimination laws and racially diversifying opportunities, are discussed at the end of the presentation. This issue is important for many reasons, including that it is seen in all sectors of the workforce.
Slide notes and references can be found here.
The Minimization of Race in Progressive Spaces
Racism and Diversity: Comparative Perspective (Fall 2023)
This essay describes how certain progressive groups, including far-left political parties and "Bernie bro" supporters, minimize the importance of race and racism in progressive politics. Instead, they are overwhelmingly in favor of centering class to enact progressive change, often with damaging communication and messaging to potential allies. This essay argues that while there is an intersection between race and class, only prioritizing class ignores race and racism in ways that limit actual societal improvements. This essay also gives examples as to how progressive political groups can improve their messaging to racial minorities, including avoiding the 'White working class' trope and incorporating critical race theory into political strategies.