Reevaluating Underrepresented Minorities in the Workplace in Light of Recent Middle East Events

[Anonymous]

I'm very confused by OP. When he saying "Jews from Israel," is he referring to all Israeli Jews or does he mean Mizrahi Jews, a group that has faced discrimination in Israel?

[Anonymous]

My company has a Christian employee group, so I think if someone wanted to start a Jewish one, it would be fine. Also, just saying I’m Armenian-Syrian and put check middle eastern if given the option. Check White when not given the option. Though I don’t fit in with Arabs (would probably be out of place in middle eastern affinity group), as my people were persecuted my Muslims. So I also don’t have a problem with Israeli Americans saying they’re middle eastern. I think these employee resource groups are starting to get ridiculous - not everything under the sun needs a group at work. Do your identity work outside of the office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You people are so tedious.

What is the endgame here? Splice and splice endlessly until literally *everyone* is nothing but a victim? We’re all condemned in our own unique way to being “underrepresented” pity cases?

How about you all just STFU and let people be people, do their jobs, work under basic concepts of respect and professionalism, then go home. I cannot STAND this obsessive identity politics BS. It is DESTROYING our society.

— mixed race, latinx, white, black, indigenous Chicano, cis male but gay once in college, overweight, from a poor/working class background from the rural SW, conservative/libertarian, missing a toe

How many points do I get?

+1000000 (from an African American woman)

[Anonymous]

So this middle eastern guy is white?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
At my company, the officially recognized underrepresented minorities include:

Black individuals
Hispanic individuals
Those identifying as two or more races
Indigenous peoples
Pacific Islanders
Women

In other words, anyone but white males is an "underrepresented minority".

What happens when that changes? In many workplaces, women outnumber men. Do women get removed from the list then?

[Anonymous]

OP is over-thinking this. Hire the best candidate, and treat that person with the same respect as every other employee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My company has a Christian employee group, so I think if someone wanted to start a Jewish one, it would be fine. Also, just saying I’m Armenian-Syrian and put check middle eastern if given the option. Check White when not given the option. Though I don’t fit in with Arabs (would probably be out of place in middle eastern affinity group), as my people were persecuted my Muslims. So I also don’t have a problem with Israeli Americans saying they’re middle eastern. I think these employee resource groups are starting to get ridiculous - not everything under the sun needs a group at work. Do your identity work outside of the office.

In the US people think of the "Middle East" as this monolith and don't realize the diversity of religion and ethnicity in the region. I think a "middle eastern" affinity group would mean very little to most folks from the region--especially 1st gen and even 2nd gen immigrants. It might appeal to younger Americans with middle eastern heritage that aren't religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some corporate boards recognize individuals who are middle eastern as diverse noting (i think correctly) that in many respects these individuals have experienced prejudice of some kind and perhaps bring a perspective that is different because of their country of origin or ethnic background.

That religion is a protected category may be a reason why these groups are not considered minorities.

I don’t think many companies are handling communications about this war with nuance which is regrettable (Palestinians and Israelis are suffering right now and Palestinians are not Hamas). I say this as an American Jew.

There is no such thing as a diverse person. Diversity is a feature of groups

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of the classification? I think that quill help you figure out what classifications would be helpful. For example, Do you think that Jewish (a religion, by the way, not a race) people are underrepresented or, due to being Jewish, are or were systematically disadvantaged in getting a job?

Our corporate dei initiatives

What does a war in a foreign country have to do with DEI in USA?

You don't need detailed stats on everyone in order to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

If you want to promote DEI, then check your privilege and your biases. If you want *someone else* to promote DEI in their work, then monitor their behavior and challenge it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
At my company, the officially recognized underrepresented minorities include:

Black individuals
Hispanic individuals
Those identifying as two or more races
Indigenous peoples
Pacific Islanders
Women

In other words, anyone but white males is an "underrepresented minority".

What happens when that changes? In many workplaces, women outnumber men. Do women get removed from the list then?

Nice job denying the existence of Asians, friend!

On women:
Obviously, yes. It's weird that you ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You people are so tedious.

What is the endgame here? Splice and splice endlessly until literally *everyone* is nothing but a victim? We’re all condemned in our own unique way to being “underrepresented” pity cases?

How about you all just STFU and let people be people, do their jobs, work under basic concepts of respect and professionalism, then go home. I cannot STAND this obsessive identity politics BS. It is DESTROYING our society.

— mixed race, latinx, white, black, indigenous Chicano, cis male but gay once in college, overweight, from a poor/working class background from the rural SW, conservative/libertarian, missing a toe

How many points do I get?

We'll STFU as soon as society stops being super racist and makes up for last racism.

Let's start with something simple that I'm sure you'll agree with: Reparations for wage theft during slavery, real estate theft due to redline, and all accrued interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So this middle eastern guy is white?

there are five categories for data on race and two for ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Black or African American; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; White; Hispanic or Latino; and non-Hispanic or Latino.

there is a proposal on that
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/01/26/initial-proposals-for-revising-the-federal-race-and-ethnicity-standards/
The initial proposals include: Collecting race and ethnicity information using one combined question. Adding “Middle Eastern or North African” (MENA) as a new response category. Requiring the collection of detailed race and ethnicity categories by default.