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False information, rumors and misunderstandings. These problems are rampant when it comes to diversity in the workplace. It is amazing how often a cultural "fact" many believe to be true is actually false. Take this quick quiz designed to illustrate how much false information is out there. As you consider each question, try not to second-guess it: Answer as you normally would based on your current knowledge and expectation.
- Of the regions listed, which one sends the highest percentage of its high school graduates to the US?
A. Ireland
B. Asia
C. Africa
D. England
- Describe the average welfare recipient:
A. An urban African American woman with more than three children.
B. An urban African American man with more than three children.
C. A rural white woman with two children or fewer.
D. An Asian American woman with two children or fewer.
- What percentage of native-born and immigrant Hispanics/Latinos living in the US think new Americans should learn English?
A. 15 percent
B. 3 percent
C. 90 percent
D. 50 percent
- True or False: Most Arab Americans are Muslim.
- According to American Demographics magazine, what percentage of white Americans live in overwhelmingly white neighborhoods?
A. 90 percent
B. 57 percent
C. 75 percent
D. 15 percent
Let's see how you did. I was recently asked the first question and, I must admit, got it wrong. Africa sends a higher percentage of high school graduates to the US than England, Asia or Ireland -- and by the way, more than many other countries and regions as well.
Question two illustrates how long-lasting misconceptions can distort what we believe and how we feel about an entire group of people. Most people incorrectly think the typical welfare recipient is an urban African American woman with more than three children. However, the typical welfare recipient is a white woman living with two children in a rural area.
Question three calls attention to one of the most destructive bits of misinformation in our culture -- the belief that most US immigrants do not feel the need to learn English. You probably answered something like 15 percent. Or perhaps, if you've been keeping up on these things, you went as high as 50 percent. In fact, a whopping 90 percent of Hispanic/Latinos feel very strongly that those who wish to become US residents should learn English.
I hesitated to include the fourth question, because I didn't want to imply in any way there is something wrong with being Muslim -- of course there is not. It is interesting, however, that most people think this statement is true. In fact, despite Islam fast becoming the second most common religion in the US, most Arab Americans are not Muslims.
In this age of integration, it looks like white flight continues. The answer to question five is that 90 percent of white Americans live in neighborhoods that are predominantly white. This is significant when we think about the importance of diversity in our living and working environments. Only by being together can we learn to overcome the fears, biases and communication problems plaguing our workplaces.
