[Enter Student Name]
[Enter University Name]
In this essay, I am going to examine ideas, concepts, and implications on the topic of diversity and multiculturalism within the military. Specifically, I am going to discuss the difference between equality and equity and how ensuring our military understands this lesson can impact diversity within the military, discuss what leaders can do to effectively understand other perspectives, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds, and respond directly to the questions posed by Captain Velma C. Gray at the end of her article.
It must be stated that the military states publicly value diversity within its organization and prides itself on essentially representing each ethnic and racial identity (Diversity in the Military, 2015). Therefore, diversity conversations regarding and about the military are incredibly important and in line with the values of our military. One leader that has taught me the absolute most about diversity also correlates with a lesson that I believe can effectively be taught in the military to encourage and develop a culture of sensitivity, respect, and inclusion. That is the different between equality and equity. Our society often believes that we should seek equality in organizations such as the military. What many is that we should, in fact, be moving towards equity. The best way to describe it is this: it is equal if we ensure everyone has a shoe. But people should be able to have more than just a shoe – they should have a shoe that fits (Kranich, 2001). That’s equity. If our military were to understand that fundamental difference, then I sincerely believe that many of the issues surrounding multiculturalism and diversity would be more easily understood.
Through personal experience, I have found that one of the most effective ways that leaders can develop a culture of sensitivity and inclusion in life, and thus also in the military, is by placing a great emphasis on understanding that people are individuals and that each individual person has a unique story that only they have. According Cameron Dolezal of The Daily Cougar, the common belief is that individualism is not good for the military (Dolezal, 2010). It can damper the sense of camaraderie, brotherhood, and loyalty to the unit. This is incredibly problematic because it creates a culture and institution that does not place value on the individual. Rather, than becoming interested in each person’s individual story, thus learning to appreciate and value difference, diversity, and multiculturalism, the military is trained to renounce individualism. In Gay’s perspective, if we cannot lead what you do not understand, and do not attempt to understand that thing, then the cycle is doomed to repeat itself (Gay, 2014). Therefore, I sincerely believe that one of the best ways to begin to value diversity and inclusion in the military to place a greater emphasis on learning about individuals.
In regards to the questions asked by Captain Gay at the very end of the article, we must understand ourselves prior to ever being able to understand others (Gay 2014). We each have biases, and that is okay. However, what is important is what we do with those biases. How do we respond to a situation that may have ethnic or racial implications? Do we root ourselves in ignorance or do we attempt to understand situations from a different perspective than the one that we are accustomed to. Gay asks us if we challenge our own false assumptions (Gay, 2014). If we are challenging those assumptions, we are critically thinking about situations and how our own biases might be impacting the way we think. We must first understand our own biases in order to effectively respond with trust, fairness, and consistency. Personally, I am attempting to understand my own personal biases better than ever before. Understanding these often comes with self-reflection, pausing and critically thinking about what is right and what is wrong prior to making statements, finalizing our opinions about a matter, and thinking about how to effectively lead. Finally, in our world which is becoming so much smaller and more connected than ever before, it is not uncommon for units, teams, companies, or communities to have a significant variety of ethnicities, races, religions, and other identities. Diversity and multiculturalism are becoming increasingly important concepts in our world, and the military needs to embrace these realities.
References
Dolezal, Cameron. 2010, Feb. 4. Individuality Not Good for Military. The Daily Cougar.
Retrieved from http://thedailycougar.com/2010/02/04/individuality-not-good-for-military/
Gay, V. C. (2014). The Exclusive Club. The Reporter, 40 (3), 2-4.
No author. (2015). Diversity in the Military. Retrieved from
http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,diversity_main,,00.html
Kranich, Nancy. (2001) Equity and the American Library Association. Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/missionhistory/keyactionareas/equityaction/rockswhirlpoolintroduction
