DEI in Business: Just Be Fair, Respect People and Appreciate Differences
Miami, Florida, Jan. 30, 2024 – (500NewsWire) — Business owners know that the success business success is tied to employee success and retainage. At EcoVentures Capital Fund employees (and clients) come in all shapes, sizes colors, religions and orientations, and successful businesses sustain relationships for years, some for decades. Fair wages are one reason but research says that treating people fairly and respectfully regardless of personal backgrounds is essential. Miami Beach features diverse, inclusive and equitable workspaces which lead to more successful outcomes.
Unfortunately, the practice of inclusivity has been hijacked by people who created policing mechanisms that have led to tolerance of hate, hate speech, and hateful acts. This cannot be allowed in schools, institutions or the workplace. This dogma, which is bad for business, must be addressed.
DEI programs and policies are often used to create categories of “oppressed” and “oppressor.” However, a simplified DEI 2.0 is clearer; just don’t hate. Respect. Respect everyone. Because of the war in the Middle East Jews, an oppressed people for centuries , are labeled “oppressor” as are white people and Asians. But, all Whites, Asians and Jews are not oppressors.
Twenty-five years ago Miami Beach was America’s true melting pot. All voices, colors, sizes and orientations were welcomed. America’s greatness was based on the melting pot—the drive to assimilate and follow the American Dream. Wikipedia says a melting pot is “a monocultural metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, the different elements “melting together” with a common culture.” The melting pot created a vibrant society and economy. It remains a beautiful ideal. People don’t have to be the same, but needs shared values and goals.
People of all faiths, colors and genders can agree that an extreme DEI orthodoxy doesn’t work. Hate aimed at an “oppressor” is tolerated but hate aimed at those who are “oppressed” is a crime. But all hate is bad. Muslim-American CNN analyst Fareed Zakaria says about DEI “In this context it is understandable that Jewish groups wonder, why do safe spaces, microaggressions, and hate speech not apply to us?”
Journalist Jonathan Tobin of the Jewish News Syndicate wrote “DEI is hostile to a diversity of opinion, opposed to equality, and inclusive only of certain approved minorities (a term interpreted as excluding Jews.)”
Hedge fund activist Bill Ackman says that (DEI) sees the oppressor class including white males, Asians, Jews and other people perceived to be successful and powerful.”
The labels of “oppressed” and “oppressor” limit the ability to fully grasp the human condition and the relationship between people and cultures and communities. Respecting differences and rejecting all hate, hateful acts and hate speech can help the culture move forward together.
Businesses and clients are different ages and genders, different cultures and colors and faiths. For success, employees and employers must work together. Many have done so years before DEI. The well-being of employees and the well-being of business are related. Businesses don’t need DEI to tell them that treating people fairly and respectfully regardless of personal backgrounds makes business sense.
PULL QUOTE
Unfortunately, the practice of inclusivity has been hijacked by people who created policing mechanisms that have led to tolerance of hate, hate speech, and hateful acts. This cannot be tolerated in schools, institutions or the workplace.
About George Lindemann:
George Lindemann has lived in Miami Beach for 25 years. He is a father, philanthropist, conservationist, writer, businessman and Chair of The Bass Museum.
Media Contact
George Lindemann, President, EcoVentures Capital Fund, 1 (305) 573-1626, georgelylelindemann@gmail.com, https://www.georgelindemann.com/
SOURCE George Lindemann