"We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer": Diversity Doublespeak

Authors

Cheryl L. Wade, St. John's University School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Washington & Lee Law Review

Publication Date

2004

Volume

61

First Page

1541

Abstract

There are too few discussions about race and race relations among corporate managers and directors. The rhetoric used in these infrequent discussions revolves around the idea of diversity in the workplace. In recent years, when speaking about employees and race issues, corporate actors have become curiously silent about discrimination and racism. This Article provides several examples of the rhetorical devices used by corporate spokespersons that ignore persisting problems with discrimination and racism by focusing solely on diversity efforts. Diversity rhetoric allows corporate managers to avoid responsibility for enduring discrimination in the workplace. Diversity efforts, without antidiscrimination efforts, increase the likelihood that the company will be engaged in litigating and mediating disputes about discrimination. This Article explores the potential for improving the discourse about race and racism in the corporate setting in a way that has the potential to transform racially-toxic corporate cultures.

Comments

Available at: https://scholarlycommons.law.wlu.edu/wlulr/vol61/iss4/4/