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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Summer in The City
Relevance
Not too long ago, someone told me they didn't know if The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (where I work) is still relevant. Going back to my own personal experience with jury duty, let me just say that I think our mission is incredibly relevant.
We work to promote diversity and inclusion in the business world by providing educational opportunities to top tier MBA programs. We recruit underrepresented minorities and offer fellowships to those (regardless of ethnic background) who can demonstrate a commitment to our mission of diversity.
There are many ways in which our program attacks the lack of diversity found in the business leadership, though what we do, I believe, also impacts the way the majority thinks of the minority. As our members take on leadership roles after graduation they demonstrate that are smart and capable, thus breaking down stereotypes.
So yes, even this day in age, our mission of diversity and inclusion is important. There are still barriers that need breaking down and mindsets that need to change.
We work to promote diversity and inclusion in the business world by providing educational opportunities to top tier MBA programs. We recruit underrepresented minorities and offer fellowships to those (regardless of ethnic background) who can demonstrate a commitment to our mission of diversity.
There are many ways in which our program attacks the lack of diversity found in the business leadership, though what we do, I believe, also impacts the way the majority thinks of the minority. As our members take on leadership roles after graduation they demonstrate that are smart and capable, thus breaking down stereotypes.
So yes, even this day in age, our mission of diversity and inclusion is important. There are still barriers that need breaking down and mindsets that need to change.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
GUILTY (Jury Duty part 2)
In my last post about my civic duty, I shared with you my own deep seeded and horrible prejudice when I told you that "Guilty" was my first thought upon seeing the defendant whose fate I could have potentially played a part in.
As one who "knows better" and firmly believes that one can not be judged on the color of their skin or the style of their hair, the clothes they wear or their religion, I was shocked by my own thoughts. Which clearly meant I had some thinking to do.
Guilty or not, there was no reason for me to think such a thought without even knowing what the man (boy, really) had been accused. It's likely that many have looked at this man over the years and thought similar thoughts, and thus this man, who may have had potential, was never able to see the opportunities in front of him.
What's worse? Other potential jurors had the same thought.
So what do we do? We know that having prejudice is wrong, on so many levels and yet on some level, it exists within us all. If injustice lies deep within my own heart, how can I also be the one who fights for justice?
As one who "knows better" and firmly believes that one can not be judged on the color of their skin or the style of their hair, the clothes they wear or their religion, I was shocked by my own thoughts. Which clearly meant I had some thinking to do.
Guilty or not, there was no reason for me to think such a thought without even knowing what the man (boy, really) had been accused. It's likely that many have looked at this man over the years and thought similar thoughts, and thus this man, who may have had potential, was never able to see the opportunities in front of him.
What's worse? Other potential jurors had the same thought.
So what do we do? We know that having prejudice is wrong, on so many levels and yet on some level, it exists within us all. If injustice lies deep within my own heart, how can I also be the one who fights for justice?
Jury Duty
This past week I served my civic duty after being called up for Jury Duty. As in the past, the experience has brought up a lot of thoughts related to diversity, race and prejudice, city living and our justice system in general.
After much waiting my number was finally called. Once the pool of jurors was gathered we were marched up to a courtroom.
Upon entering the room and seeing the defendant, I was appauled by my first thought:
GUILTY.
If you have ever had any dealings with courtroom dramas or a jury, you know the whole idea is that you're meant to be impartial and free of prejudgement. But of course we as people are not and therefore the jury selection process began.
It turns out that the guy on trial was being charged for possessing a concealed weapon without a permit. The jaw dropping fact for me was that he was caught at the scene of a shoot out that took place ON MY STREET!
Immediately my brain started remembering what few details I knew: the 3 victims, who lived, and those suspected of the shooting, were all "familiar" to the police. My neighborhood is one that is not unfamiliar with violence, though for the past decade has been going through, for lack of better term, gentrification. The neighborhood has been on the rise, forlorn property has been rehabbed to it's former glory, violent crime has decreased and there's a general since of community. A big improvement over 15 years ago or even 10 years ago. So this crime rocked the boat. At the time, I was disturbed but tried brushing it off... "at least they were "familiar" to the police - common criminals - not "random violence" - nothing that needed to affect my personal feelings of safety." DENIAL, anyone?
So as I sat there in the courthouse, listening to the questions and thinking about how to best proceed, I decided, like most others in the room, that I wanted on that jury. NOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD was the message I wanted to send. Apparently most others did to and in the end, the defendant decided to go ahead, change his plea and admit his guilt.
After much waiting my number was finally called. Once the pool of jurors was gathered we were marched up to a courtroom.
Upon entering the room and seeing the defendant, I was appauled by my first thought:
GUILTY.
If you have ever had any dealings with courtroom dramas or a jury, you know the whole idea is that you're meant to be impartial and free of prejudgement. But of course we as people are not and therefore the jury selection process began.
It turns out that the guy on trial was being charged for possessing a concealed weapon without a permit. The jaw dropping fact for me was that he was caught at the scene of a shoot out that took place ON MY STREET!
Immediately my brain started remembering what few details I knew: the 3 victims, who lived, and those suspected of the shooting, were all "familiar" to the police. My neighborhood is one that is not unfamiliar with violence, though for the past decade has been going through, for lack of better term, gentrification. The neighborhood has been on the rise, forlorn property has been rehabbed to it's former glory, violent crime has decreased and there's a general since of community. A big improvement over 15 years ago or even 10 years ago. So this crime rocked the boat. At the time, I was disturbed but tried brushing it off... "at least they were "familiar" to the police - common criminals - not "random violence" - nothing that needed to affect my personal feelings of safety." DENIAL, anyone?
So as I sat there in the courthouse, listening to the questions and thinking about how to best proceed, I decided, like most others in the room, that I wanted on that jury. NOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD was the message I wanted to send. Apparently most others did to and in the end, the defendant decided to go ahead, change his plea and admit his guilt.
Welcome To My Blog
Thank you for reading my blog. I've been thinking of starting a blog for sometime now and a recent experience has pushed me over the edge to begin writing, publicly. I have kept a journal for more years than I can remember and now am a bit nervous about taking my personal thoughts and putting them out there for everyone to read.
On the other hand, I often find I have personal thoughts that I'd like to share with the world, as I'm sure others have had similar thoughts. In my own efforts to be self reflective, I hope that I will lead others to being self reflective as well.
On this blog you can expect to read my thoughts about a variety of things, including my work life, my educational pursuits and my inner dialogue regarding tough issues.
I hope you enjoy reading and get something out of it. Please always feel free to comment and provide feedback. All in all, it is my goal to start a conversation and I can't do that without you!
On the other hand, I often find I have personal thoughts that I'd like to share with the world, as I'm sure others have had similar thoughts. In my own efforts to be self reflective, I hope that I will lead others to being self reflective as well.
On this blog you can expect to read my thoughts about a variety of things, including my work life, my educational pursuits and my inner dialogue regarding tough issues.
I hope you enjoy reading and get something out of it. Please always feel free to comment and provide feedback. All in all, it is my goal to start a conversation and I can't do that without you!
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