Our Strength

“Diversity is our strength.” They keep telling us that again and again and again, with such matter-of-fact certitude that we are supposed to take this assertion as self-evident. It is presented as a priori knowledge, accepted without empirical evidence, and cannot be question. But it must be questioned.

What is “diversity”? What do they mean when they use the word “diversity”? Diversity means difference. And in the context in which they use the word, they are referring to difference in skin color. So how can the difference in skin color, the mere hue of our skin be our strength? What is it about the varying of hues of skin, according to them, that makes America strong?

Are the diversity proponents suggesting that the differences of skin color indicate inherent differences between people beyond their skin color to an array of other human attributes, like intelligence, talents or personal character? If they are, that is racist. They would be claiming that a person’s skin color is a defining characteristic which is the definition of racism.

But if they are not claiming that there are inherent differences between people based on skin color, that people are all the same regardless of how they look, then why is there a push for diversity? How could a diversity of skin color be considered a strength if skin color does not signify differences beyond that of skin color?