For this project, you will write a 10-page paper that examines the topic you chose in Module Two and how it affects individuals and society. In the paper, you will describe yo

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2-2 Activity: Topic Introduction

Jacob Wright

Southern New Hampshire University

IDS-400: Diversity

Professor Boyd

21 January 2024

Workplace Diversity and Its Impact on African Americans

The issue of workplace diversity is, without doubt, multifaceted and for this reason, it demands assessment via different lenses. In this perspective, my focus would be on the effect of workplace diversity on African Americans, which represents a population, looking from history, that has faced significant systemic challenges, Also, this choice this stems from the historical lens, and this provides for a robust analysis of legal milestones for example, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and also their role in determining workplace dynamics for African Americans.

African Americans constitute a huge population that have been directly affected by workplace diversity. From a historical point of view, African Americans have experienced discrimination and this is based on race. This then necessitates the need for legal achievements important aimed at doing away with this type of barriers. On the other hand, there still exist challenges to date. It therefore shows the importance of having a look into the narratives and stories that show the manner in which workplace diversity, or the lack thereof, has shaped the lives and experiences of American Americans.

For example, by analyzing the historical experiences, one notes their struggle for equal opportunities, fair treatment, and advancement within organizations. These experiences recorded in history have today brought about a bitter-sweet feeling. On the one hand, there has been triumphs as laws have been made to guarantee that there is workplace diversity. However, there exist challenges. All these show the nuanced impact of diversity initiatives on African American career paths and overall experiences in the workplace.

The choice of the social lens is important since it provides an overview of the societal structural and interpersonal dynamics impacting African Americans in the workplace. Moreover, African Americans continue to face systemic barriers, power dynamics and biases and these aspects continue to shape the experiences of this population. In order to enhance inclusive environments, there is need for understanding of the manner in which workplace diversity impacts interpersonal relationships.

Furthermore, the thesis statement for this analysis is: “Examining workplace diversity through the historical and social lenses. Through this, the paper aims to deeply analyze the impact of diversity initiatives on African Americans. Specifically, this would focus on legal milestones, individual narratives, and societal structures. Through examining these three important structures, I aim to establish the complex relationship between workplace diversity and the experiences of African Americans (Roberson, 2019). Eventually, all these would contribute to the current conversation on inclusive work environments.

References

Roberson, Q. M. (2019). Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 69-88.

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3-2 Activity: Critical Analysis: Engage

Jacob Wright

Southern New Hampshire University

IDS-400: Diversity

Professor Boyd

28 January 2024

Critical Analysis: Engage

Constructive Collaboration with the African American Population

I would adopt an empowering, participative approach to encourage deliberations on the issue of workplace diversity and how it affects African Americans. First of all, I would actively seek opinions from the African American community through focus group questionnaires and interviews. Their opinions and voices are heard with this participatory literature that shapes the story. Moreover, I would utilize existing community networks and organizations as safe venues for frank discussions on the topic to provide platforms where individuals can share their opinions and experiences. Secondly, I would seek joint ventures with firms and academic organizations that have successfully managed diversity. They can show positive examples and success stories to give concrete evidence of the benefits of workplace diversity. Thus, the purpose of this collaborative effort is to help establish a sense of being empowered and participate among African Americans about diversity matters at work.

Positive Element: Legal Milestones and Progress

One of the positive aspects that are characteristic of this subject is legislative milestones achieved to ensure diversity at work. Some things that were achieved as a result of removing racial boundaries include the Civil Rights Act, which dates back to 1964. This is not simply speculation; historical statistics support it. These legislative structures have helped increase accountability and consciousness for promoting company diversity. Such positive legal actions can create a framework for transformation by setting standards and anticipations of fair workplace behavior.

Element Benefiting from Change: Addressing Persistent Challenges

Undeniably, I do concur with the fact that there have been massive legal milestones. However, there is a need for acknowledgement that African Americans still face massive challenges especially when it comes to access to employment opportunities. Specifically, this issue has been aggravated by the existing structural barriers, power dynamics, and biases. For this reason, there is a need to undertake massive organizational diversity and inclusion training programs and workshops. This would then aid in bringing about inclusion. Also, there is a need to practically assess data based on how education and awareness can aid in reducing bias and enhancing workplace diversity. Consequently, many organizations would embrace this and achieve diversity and inclusion, especially for African Americans. To sum up, involving African Americans in this conversation on diversity and inclusion would have to be holistic and comprehensive. For example, the conversation based on workplace diversity may shift as it can prioritize the aspect of laws aimed at helping organizations and nations solve problems through education and awareness. This method, besides recognizing past accomplishments, opens up a broader and more just world that is free of injustice.

References

Roberson, Q. M. (2019). Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 69-88.

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4-2 Activity: Critical Analysis: Reimagine

Jacob Wright

Southern New Hampshire University

IDS-400: Diversity

Professor Boyd

4 February 2024

Critical Analysis: Reimagine

Having looked at racial diversity in the workplace, especially the effect it has on African American individuals, I have found several elements that would determine the response to the topic to be great. Primarily, the historical and societal lenses provide information about the hardships and victories faced by the African Caribbean workforce. Evolution based on the widespread legal landmarks like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 allows you to understand the progress. Furthermore, tales and stories after individual cases depict the refined consequences of diversity projects towards the variety and professions of African Americans. Another important consideration is the societal lens as it reveals the structural and interpersonal factors that shape working African Americans. However, system barriers, the dynamics of power, and biases prevail in their experiences, highlighting the importance of the systematic approach to uncovering how workplace diversity affects interpersonal dynamics. 

Through establishing widespread factors, I intend to offer a comprehensive view of understanding the challenges presented by processing the black American experience in a racially diverse environment. Built and specific on these positive aspects a potential obstacle in constructive engagement stands on the obstinacy of the structural barriers and biases. Despite the legal triumphs, African Americans continue to face challenges when it comes to matters of jobs. The approach to tackle the outlined barriers involves a tremendous scale of organizational training on diversity and inclusion, accompanied by a data-based process of monitoring the progress of education and awareness campaigns in minimizing prejudice. This barrier behooves us to adopt a pre-emptive strategy that seeks to treat past injustices prevailing grievances and structural impediments to true workplace inclusion.

A positive outcome of my proposed engagement remains an organizational change and a transformation that shapes ideology and discourse on workforce diversity in society. History and social lenses make it possible to move beyond surface discussions, statistics, and figures and address them deeply. This greater comprehension builds up critical consciousness of assorted variety making note of the way that other than being specialized, gathering, individual, and social, the segregation factors are interconnected (Roberson, 2019). Consequently, all these would combine to bring about a just world, where there is no injustice. For this reason, an inclusive work environment would be created in the long run.

Top of Form

References

Roberson, Q. M. (2019). Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 69-88.

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5-2 Activity: Reflection: Self

Jacob Wright

Southern New Hampshire University

IDS-400: Diversity

Professor Boyd

10 February 2024

Activity Reflection

Undoubtedly, the aspect of critical analysis has significantly changed how I view workplace diversity. Specifically, it has aided me in appreciating how this aspect is complex and its impact on African Americans together with other marginalized minorities that exist in society. By exploring the historical perspective, laws, and socio-cultural aspects, I can understand how they have shaped achieving workplace diversity for African Americans and other minority groups. On top of this, there has been a change in me concerning how systemic bias and other forms of discrimination have impacted African Americans. I believe that there is a need for change in these barriers to realize workplace diversity in the long run. I have had the opportunity to go through different readings and historical documents aimed at helping me understand how African Americans have fought for workplace diversity and inclusion. A good example is the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Consequently, I have experienced an increased interest in advocating and championing equality and inclusive workplace environments.

Moreover, I realize that my worldview has changed especially when analyzing prejudices that exist around achieving workplace diversity for African Americans. Particularly, I think that my self-awareness and introspection have been enhanced based on my preconceptions which has honestly been a memorable experience. Being self-aware of my prejudices has made me appreciate and take into consideration other people’s viewpoints and hence I have become more receptive. For this reason, I am now able to show compassion and understand the different emotions and perspectives of people at different levels of life. From this, I hope to play a role in creating a better world where everyone can access opportunities irrespective of where they come from or the color of their skin. To enhance my self-awareness and compassion, I am constantly researching the latest ideas to make the world a much better place.

Also, I do believe that my academic and professional lives have been changed due to the critical thinking skills that I have developed. The issue of workplace diversity is complex, and for this reason, it requires critical thinking. Moreover, there is a need to acknowledge the aspect of the interplay between different variables aimed at achieving workplace diversity and inclusion, especially for African Americans. This ought to be realized without taking into account somebody’s background. Moreover, I would have to dig deep into different policies and practices that exist and identify areas that require improvement. Moreover, I do think that my analytical skills can help me look into data, come up with findings, and contribute to research aimed at achieving workplace diversity and inclusion for African Americans and other minority groups. Critical analysis allows me to challenge the present system being used for the public interest whether it is within boardrooms or classrooms (Roberson, 2019).

References

Roberson, Q. M. (2019). Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 69-88.

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6-2 Activity: Reflection: Society

Jacob Wright

Southern New Hampshire University

IDS-400: Diversity

Professor Boyd

17 February 2024

Reflection – Society

The lens of critical analysis has helped my understanding of workplace diversity more than ever. Consequently, I have realized that the issue goes way beyond what we have been taught in high school and the problems it portrays are complex. Investing in historical narratives, lawful and normative aspects, and socio-cultural contexts has helped gain insight into the issues faced by these groups in attaining equal workplace opportunities. Lastly, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 brought up the difficulties that Blacks experienced in getting equal opportunities to people of other races in the workplace. However, the subject could also be studied from a general education point of view through another application such as Ethics or Economics which would have given different perceptions. For instance, an economic perspective would focus on the different financial gains of having diverse people in a workplace, whereas an ethical standpoint would stress the moral reasons why we must use inclusive practices.

Deeply examining diversity not only increases my viewpoint of social problems but also broadens my perception of mankind. By becoming knowledgeable about different views and backgrounds, I will gain deeper insight into what makes people unique and as a result, I will be more tolerant in my interpersonal interactions. Say, for instance, realizing that the structural injustice forms workplace diversity gives me the ability to connect with the employees who are members of marginalized groups more deliberately and encouragingly. This consciousness acts as the vehicle for productive communication and working across diverse teams, thus in the end, inclusive and innovative outcomes will be achieved. The diversity we cover in this course has changed my attitude towards diversity in society. Through exploration of the dimensions of prejudice, intersectionality, culture, and identity, I had an opportunity to admire the diverse nature of diversity and the inequalities that it creates. Learning about how these factors weave through people's lives and affect them has made me more aware of my own privilege and power relationships, which have actioned me to challenge the status quo and call out discrimination; thus, I advocate for inclusiveness.

Additionally, building up my critical thinking ability has enabled me to take a close look at the current system and identify areas for improvement, an approach that helps to guide the whole team towards the advancement of diversity and equity at the workplace and in society at large. I can attest to the personal growth I have undergone through critical analysis, which has taught me not only to recognize but also to overcome my prejudices and wrong beliefs, leading to a more open and considerate approach in my dealings with others. Constantly inquiring and challenging my point of view, I aim to build communal spaces where people’s ideas matter and they are treated as valued. Also, the course has underpinned the relationship between diversity dynamics and other social issues including education, health, and justice therefore evoking me to understand how the systemic inequalities differ and grow across different sectors. Finally, this kind of overall treatment of diversity forces me to fight for the process of significant change and to develop conditions that can guarantee the thriving of everybody without taking into consideration his background and identity (Roberson, 2019). Overall, the class has enabled me to develop a problem-solving attitude, perceptiveness, loyalty, and readiness for positive change in the most controversial diversity-related issues.

References

Roberson, Q. M. (2019). Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 69-88.