From Homogeneity to Diversity and Back

While it is well known that diversity is growing nationally overall, three Pennsylvania State University researchers set out to look at local diversity trends. In September 2012, they published their findings: Racial and Ethnic Diversity Goes Local: Charting Change in American Communities over Three Decades. They found that diversity is most prominent in coastal and southern regions with high populations, plenty of rental housing, many foreign-born residents, various occupation options, and military and/or government employment hubs. With or without these characteristics, though, ethnic diversity is on the rise everywhere. In the last 30 years, metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas have all experienced an increase in diversity.

Of course, if you’ve been anywhere in the last 30 years, you already knew this. Today, when I visit places I frequented in my youth, I can’t help but notice that the faces are far more diverse. Unfortunately, physical diversity of a space far outpaces the mindset of those living in that space. Basically, we have the appearance of diversity without the belief system to support it:

Whites’ responses to diversity are of particular concern. Studies of racial residential preferences indicate that those whites who associate the presence of minorities with a reduced quality of life are prone either to exit diverse neighborhoods or not to move into them at all (Lee).

This concern is the question on which the researchers concluded their study: Is the trend of growing ethnic diversity really a trend toward increasing homogeneity of particular ethnic groups:

Could this type of white avoidance, exacerbated by continued minority growth, portend a bleak prognosis for the racial and ethnic diversity of entire communities, not just neighborhoods? The increase in Hispanic and black minority places hints at potential departures from the diversity master trend. Moreover, a separate analysis identifies a few places that have already ‘bucked the trend’: they reached their peak diversity in 1980 or 1990 and have since become more homogenous (Lee).

History has shown that cordoning off any single population type, blacks, Jews, low-income, mentally ill, has detrimental consequences for society as a whole. However, given this study, the difference is that ethnic groups may end up self-cordoning. Therefore, despite personal, professional, and academic knowledge to the contrary, I felt obligated to ask the question: Is homogeneity really so bad?

To that end, I stumbled upon a Brookings Institution article, “Beyond Sushiology: Does Diversity Work?” Author Peter Skerry admonishes those who support diversity because it means a more colorful world where we all get to eat foreign food. (Full disclosure on this one: On my last visit to a Chinese restaurant, I ordered that oh-so-authentic Chinese delicacy known as General Tsao’s Chicken). Skerry does an excellent job of covering an array of research that advocates for both sides of the debate. He wisely argues that diversity is so often accepted as a good thing that we fail to address the challenges inherent in it. In fact, he suggests we are actually afraid to admit that diversity has as many pitfalls as homogeneity. I think he’s right.

Just as fear of the Other will prohibit honest dialogue, so will fear of questioning the challenges brought on by diversity. I remain a staunch advocate for diversity, and I agree with the Penn State researchers: If homogeneity is the long-term result of the rising diversity trend, then society is not improving. Yet, I am certain that without a respectful, thoughtful, and ongoing conversation about the realities of diversity—language barriers, truth in stereotypes, fear of assimilation, cultural behaviors, and fear of minority status (Skerry)—the genuine fulfillment of equality and acceptance will never materialize.

Sources:

Florida, Richard. “America’s Most and Least Diverse Metros.” The Atlantic Cities. The Atlantic Media Company. 9 Sep. 2012. Web. 13 Jan. 2013. http://m.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2012/09/americas-most-and-least-diverse-metros/3206/

Lee, Barrett A., John Iceland, Gregory Sharp. Racial and Ethnic Diversity Goes Local: Charting Change in American Communities over Three Decades. Pennsylvania State University. 2012. Web. http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/Data/Report/report08292012.pdf

Skerry, Peter. “Beyond Sushiology: Does Diversity Work?” The Brookings Institution. N.p. Wint. 2002. Web. 14 Jan. 2013. http://www.brookings.edu/research/articles/2002/12/winter-affirmativeaction-skerry