What is Diversity?

When this video clip was part of the latest all sabb email, bellows of laughter echoed around the exec corridor. However abstract, when I actually thought about it, this clip actually rings true. It always surprises me how few people in this movement ever recognise the value, or importance of diversity and equality of opportunity. Instead as a Welfare sabb, I often find myself having to justify widening participation initiatives, and the liberation campaigns- the very campaigns that should be at the heart of, and shaping the direction of our movement. The only thing that I can attribute this to is ignorance, or indifference, neither of which are acceptable today.

So what is diversity? "Diversity describes the range of visible and non-visible differences that exist between people whilst equality means having the same value - indicating a state of balance. When we talk about managing diversity therefore, we are referring to the harnessing of these differences to create a productive environment in which everybody feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met" (Kandola and Fullerton 1998).

And what is equality? Equal opportunities ensure that everyone is entitled to freedom from discrimination in every form.

Why do we have liberation? The liberation campaigns exist to represent and campaign for equal opportunities, for particular groups who face discrimination in education, and are oppressed in wider society. The 4 liberation groups are women, LGBT, ethnic minority and disabled. We don't have a men's officer because men aren't discriminated against, or oppressed in education because of their gender. We don't have a white students officer, because white students aren't discriminated against, or oppressed in education because of their race.

The NUS produced a booklet entitled 101 Reasons for Liberation in Students' Unions, which can be viewed here.

The Guild, as a Union, has a responsibility to represent and campaign for the equality of these groups, celebrate their diversity and to ensure that the University do not tolerate discrimination or oppression in any form. We do not live in a society where discrimination is either tolerable or justifiable.

This is why, when we began our 3 year plan last week equality and diversity was included as one of our core strategic objectives. This must, remain one of our core objectives until we have achieved true equality. Until this day, we cannot be complacent.