Create West Virginia

Does Diversity Really Matter That Much?

  One of the major pillars of the creative community (i.e., "creative class") initiative around the world is valuing diversity in all its forms. There have been many efforts to define the business case for diversity for companies. After visiting Multifest in Charleston this past weekend, we wondered: do these arguments for diversity translate to a region, such as a state like West Virginia?

To answer that question, we have to ask ourselves some specific questions. Our collective answer as West Virginians will help determine how seriously we take all this diversity stuff and whether we make it a statewide priority. Consider:

• Will greater diversity improve economic growth? By changing our current national image as a homogeneous state with tendencies toward intolerance, would we attract more entrepreneurs and corporate relocations? Would average income grow?
• Will greater diversity improve quality of life? You might say this depends on your definition of "quality." But to take it to a measurable level, would it impact traditional quality of life measurements areas such as health, low crime, education, entertainment and cultural amenities?

Of course the answers aren't so simple. They may begin with "it depends." Some may argue that a third question should be added, which may be worded "Is seeking diversity the right thing to do, regardless of the benefits?" Others may reply, as long as anyone who wants to be here feels welcome, we're fine. Why should we proactively seek diversity?

Leading up to the Create WV 2008 Conference, we'd like to hear your thoughts on this topic. Should growing diversity be a major priority for West Virginia? Why or why not?

Fighting Hate, Building Inclusiveness in Charleston

In addition to creative cultural, entrepreneurial and technical initiatives going on in our capitol city, we are excited about an emphasis being placed on building a community that values diversity and commits to inclusion. Two upcoming events are cause for hope after the difficult (and embarrassing) events around the Megan Williams incident.

First, Communities United Against Hate is holding a community forum at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, August 5, at 6pm featuring Tom "TJ" Heydon, a former neo-Nazi white supremacist who now works to make people aware of what creates a culture of hate and counteract it. It promises to be both a stimulating and insightful learning experiencing and an opportunity to "talk back" with ideas of how the Charleston community can build inclusiveness and address issues of intolerance. The event is sponsored by the YWCA of Charleston, the WV Hate Crime Task Force, Covenant House and other key organizations.

Second, several organizations in Charleston, including the Charleston Area Alliance, Jackson Kelly PLLC, Kanawha County and the City of Charleston, are sponsoring the Diversity Leadership Academy held by the American Institute for Managing Diversity. The AIMD is one of the nation's first and leading think tanks dedicated to the advancement of diversity management.

The Charleston DLA group convened for the first time Thursday, July 31, and brought together several key leaders in non-profit, education, government, religion and business. The DLA is a series of five intensive full-day training sessions held over five months that builds the skills of those in the best position to influence real progress in local institutions and the community. The group will be asked to develop a handful of "capstone" projects that lead to real long-term change in the community.

Congratulations to Charleston and the Kanawha Valley region for addressing issues that have caused great concern locally and nationally. We look forward to seeing the impact of these two great efforts.

Appalachians: One size does not fit all

Charlestonian Rebecca Kimmons wrote the following response to a comment from someone going by the name of "Constitution," who in turn responded to an article, "Why Appalachia Counts in 2008," by Newsweek general editor Steve Tuttle in the July 2-14 (Special Summer) issue of Newsweek. http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/07/01/tuttle-why-applachia-counts-in-2008.aspx

"Constitution" wrote on 7/03 that "Obama is the candidate for Appalachians, that is if Appalachians don't let their unreasonable fondness for racism get in the way of their vision and judgment." 

Kimmons writes:

Yo, Mr./Ms. Constitution, and anyone else inclined to gross generalization: You say Appalachians have an unreasonable fondness for racism? By what authority do you speak?  The Daily Show? Careful there; somebody'll come snooping around your family and tell some dirt on you and your kin. You know, about how your poor old cousin, or maybe your dad or your brother, maybe your vice president--I know there's somebody in your closet--who always manages to say the wrong thing. It'll be even worse when CNN comes to put it on national TV for everyone's entertainment. It's probably a waste of time to tell you that the Appalachian people I choose to hang around are some of the most honest, straight-forward, generous and kind folks you'll ever find.

Hmmm. I notice I describe them as honest, straight-forward, generous and kind. No mention of fame, wealth, or power. There's a reason for that. The prevailing values here, at least among my friends and associates, are the ones I have mentioned. That doesn't jive very well with values I see widely advertised.

Mr. Tuttle's article is just great. He knows us well; it's clear that he is one of us. I found myself jumping up and down and cheering, yes, and laughing, as I read his article. I can laugh, since I'm one of those ornery, racist, coal-minin', banjo-pickin', Scots-Irish hillbillies he describes--hah!

Actually, I grew up in West Virginia where my neighbors were first generation Italians, Hungarians, and Poles who were imported to work in the mines, and my grandfather, a descendant of Belgian and German immigrants who came way back around 1800, was a high-tech entrepreneur who brought refrigeration to our little mountain town. He sold refrigerators to blacks and whites, then went to their homes to fix whatever broke down. We smiled and nodded hello to the black folks who walked by our house on the way to their neighborhoods, and they returned the courtesy. My first exposure to great homegrown music was the a cappella singing of black kids who lived across the street from my great aunt in southern West Virginia. I looked forward to hanging out with those kids every chance I got.

My mother raised me in a Presbyterian Church where we learned that God is love and we sang every Sunday "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow black and white, they are precious in His sight..." but I had to wait until I was grown to learn about the unique West Virginia banjo-pickin' tradition that is revered throughout the old-time music world. (What's that you say? You don't know about old-time music? Tch, tch. Get hip.)

Here's what may be news to all y'all: I don't care where you live, you'll find racism, hatred, ignorance and cruelty in your town, your state, your nation, maybe even a little smirch in a corner of your own heart. The hypocrisy is laughable when the media comes wagging its finger at Appalachia's awful racism and ignorance. Thank you, Mr. Tuttle, for your wise, wry article. I'm glad for everything you said. I hope Obama and McCain listen, as well as the majority of your media colleagues.

Posted by Rebecca Kimmons 7/06/08

What's the Fuss About Bilingual Signs?

Buzz around Charleston regarding the recent signage in Spanish and English for FestivALL has brought about some interesting conversation. Some people are offended, others are saying “it's about time” and many are apathetic.

Why does promoting diversity, culture and other languages create such a stir around WV and other parts of the U.S.A? The United States was created as a melting pot of many different countries searching for freedom and a place of their own. Why are people so surprised to see bilingual signs around town? The United States as whole is comprised of 12.5% African Americans, 12.5% Latinos, 4% Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native (http://www.civilrights.org/research_center/civilrights101/demographics.html). These statistics are based on the 2000 Census and have grown over the past 8 years, but note that 30% of the U.S.population is comprised of minorities.

When an American visits or moves to a non-English speaking country, do we expect the natives to suddenly speak English for our convenience? No, yet some West Virginians believe Latinos should learn English and only speak English because they live in our state. Is this ignorance, fear, intimidation? The drivers inciting such surprise, insult and conversation among West Virginians are subjective. People may not know how to interact with those who speak another language, they may not understand their culture, and/or may be ignorant and fear the unknown. Rather than ask questions and accept differences openly, people shut the door and do not accept anything they are not familiar with.

How do West Virginian’s overcome getting upset over the smallest of things like a bilingual sign? Rather than stating, “Why do we need signs in spanish? This is the USA and our OFFICIAL language IS ENGLISH!! There's no reason to cater to spanish speaking people: if they're here, let 'em learn english or go back home.” (http://dailymail.com/comments?build=yes&ContID=200806130113)

Our founder fathers state in the Declaration of Independence, “…….all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm) Our nation believes in the promotion of equality with unalienable Rights, which includes the right to personal security and personal liberty. Therefore, is the gentleman who stated people should speak only English when living in the U.S. suggesting denying the Rights provided by our founders? I pose a thought for all those who have discussed the bilingual signs; do you believe you are promoting the unalienable Rights of all people whether citizens or not when you argue against bilingual signs in West Virginia?

~ Josie

¿Qué es el jaleo con signos bilingües?

Zumbe alrededor del pueblo con respecto a los letreros recientes en español e inglés para FestivALL ha producido alguna conversación interesante. Algunas personas se ofenden, otros dicen "su acerca de tiempo" y muchos son apáticos.

¿Por qué la diversidad, la cultura y otros idiomas crean promoviendo tal conmoción alrededor de WV y otras partes de la U. S. UN? Estados Unidos fueron creados como un crisol de muchos países diferentes que buscan para la libertad y un lugar de su propio. ¿Por qué tan son sorprendidas personas de ver los signos bilingües alrededor del pueblo? Estados Unidos como entero es comprendido de 12,5% de norteamericanos africanos, 12,5% latina, 4% de Isleños asiático pacíficos, y 1% de Nativo indio DE Alaska norteamericano (http://www.civilrights.org/research_center/civilrights101/demographics.html). Estas estadística es basada en el 2000 Censo y ha crecido sobre los pasados 8 años, pero la nota que 30% de la población de EE.UU. es comprendida de minorías.

¿Movimientos a un país parlante no-inglés, cuando un norteamericano visita o esperamos nosotros que los nativos para hablar de repente inglés para nuestra conveniencia? No, mas algunos virginianos Occidentales creen latina debe aprender que inglés y sólo hablar inglés porque ellos viven en nuestro estado. ¿Es esta ignorancia, el temor, la intimidación? Los conductores que incitan tal sorpresa, el insulto y la conversación entre virginianos Occidentales son subjetivos. Las personas no pueden saber cómo interactuar con los que hablan otro idioma, ellos no pueden comprender su cultura, y/o pueden ser ignorante y temer el desconocido. Antes que hace preguntas y acepta las diferencias abiertamente, las personas cierran la puerta y no aceptan nada con que ellos no están familiarizados.

¿Cómo haga virginiano Occidental vence ser trastornado sobre el más pequeño de cosas como un signo bilingüe? ¿Antes que indicando, "por qué necesitamos nosotros los signos en español? ¡Esto es los EEUU y nuestro idioma OFICIAL ES inglés!! No hay razón de proveer comida a español personas parlantes: si ellos están aquí, permiten 'la eme aprende que inglés o regresa a casa". (http://dailymail.com/comments?build=yes&ContID=20080613011)

Nuestros padres del fundador indican en la Declaración de la Independencia, los hombres “…….all son creados igual, que ellos son dotados por su Creador con ciertos Derechos inalienables, eso entre éstos es la Vida, la Libertad y el persecución de la Felicidad". (http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm ) Nuestra nación cree en la promoción de la igualdad con Derechos inalienables, que incluye el derecho a la seguridad personal y la libertad personal. Por lo tanto, para el caballero que indicó a personas debe hablar sólo inglés al vivir en los EEUU que él niega los Derechos proporcionados por nuestros fundadores. ¿Coloco un pensó para todo los que han discutido los signos bilingües; cree usted que usted promueve los Derechos inalienables de todas personas si ciudadanos o no cuando usted da razones en contra de signos bilingües en Virginia Occidental?

~ Josie