The Paradox of Diversity: Are We Missing the Point?

Summary

I argue that meritocracy is important for rewarding individual achievement and promoting diversity and inclusivity in society.
I try to identify the perils of focusing too much on group identity, such as stereotyping, prejudice, division, conflict, patronizing, pandering and tokenism.
I also raise a concern about the approach of intersectionality in how it can also lead to a dangerous focus on group identity over individual merit.
I suggest pushing for both diversity and meritocracy at the same time by recognizing and applauding individuals for their hard work, dedication and unique talents first.

As I hopefully grew up over the years, I’ve come to realize that we all really do have some desire to be acknowledged and appreciated for our unique talents and accomplishments. And I think it’s quite natural to feel proud and inspired when we see individuals from diverse backgrounds achieving some form of greatness and making a positive impact in their fields. However, sometimes, we might also feel tempted to focus on an individual’s ethnicity or skin color, rather than their individual merit and achievement. We might feel happy when someone who looks like us gets an award. But this can lead to a focus on group identity, rather than individual excellence, which can ultimately undermine the importance of individual achievement.

In today’s society, where social justice and inclusivity are becoming increasingly important, it’s crucial to understand the significance of meritocracy. Meritocracy means that people are rewarded based on their individual abilities and accomplishments, rather than on their race, ethnicity, or social status. In a meritocracy, everyone is given an equal chance to succeed, regardless of their background. It’s a fair and just way to reward individual achievement, and it promotes diversity and inclusivity.

However, despite the importance of meritocracy, there are many perils of focusing on group identity. For example, when we focus solely on group identity, we run the risk of overlooking the individual accomplishments and characteristics of people from different backgrounds. This can lead to stereotyping and prejudice, where people are unfairly judged based on their group membership rather than their individual merit. This is harmful to society and can result in a lack of diversity and inclusivity.

More concerning to me is that focusing too much on group identity increases the chances of division and conflict in the society, as people start to view others as being different and separate from themselves. This can lead to an “us vs. them” mentality, which can be detrimental to social harmony and progress. It’s important to recognize that we are all human beings, and that our differences should be celebrated rather than used as a reason for division.

Furthermore, this notable shift towards group identity has often resulted in a patronizing and pandering approach to recognizing achievement. When we focus too much on group identity, we can end up patronizing people from underrepresented groups, treating them as if they are less capable or competent than others. This kind of thinking stems from the belief that people from certain groups need special treatment or recognition because of past injustices. While it’s important to acknowledge and rectify past wrongs, this approach can also lead to a sense of tokenism, where people are given opportunities simply because of their identity, rather than their abilities.

This kind of thinking can be harmful to the individual’s self-esteem and sense of achievement. When people are only recognized for their group identity, it can feel like they’re being reduced to a stereotype rather than being appreciated for their unique talents and accomplishments. This can lead to a sense of pandering, where people are only recognized because of their identity, rather than their individual achievements.

This is also a peril of intersectionality in a broader scope as it can create a hierarchy of oppression, where individuals who are seen as representing more marginalized identities are seen as more important or valuable than others. While intersectionality can be a useful tool to understand how different forms of discrimination can intersect and compound, it can also lead to a dangerous focus on group identity over individual merit.

So, how do I propose we promote meritocracy and individual achievement while still celebrating diversity and inclusivity? At the fundamental level, we need to rediscover the value in recognizing and applauding individuals for their hard work, dedication, and unique talents, rather than doubling-down on their ethnic or cultural background. Awards and recognition should largely be based on individual meritocracy, not on group identity (unless that’s part of the criteria for some hopefully legitimate reason). We should strive to create a society that tends towards rewarding individual meritocracy and genuinely encourages everyone to reach their full potential — regardless of their background.

I think I completely understand. It’s natural to feel pride and joy when someone from our own ethnic or cultural background achieves greatness. I feel it, too. But we must remember to look at individual merit and achievement, firstly. By celebrating both diversity and meritocracy, we can create a more just society that rewards individual excellence and encourages everyone — from all backgrounds, all at the same time — to reach their full potential.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash.

Full disclosure: I wrote this post with the help of ChatGPT. ChatGPT helps me flesh out ideas and deliver them in the clearest way possible all in a shorter amount of time. Having said that, I remain fully responsible for what has been written and the specific ways that they have been expressed in this article. I strongly discourage the use of ChatGPT in school or in any other formal or academic contexts.