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Opting-in to Diversity: “Being in a group of people who are different is part of not being an a**hole”

Kreiter, Michael P
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8340-3360
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1491571690942078

Abstract Details

2017, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology.
“Diversity” can mean almost anything to anyone. Diversity talk is a type of racial discourse (Berrey 2015), and racial discourses are the ideological expression of a racialized social structure (Bonilla-Silva 1997). Studying such discourse sheds light on how racialized social structures operate. At the macro level, we see the proliferation of diversity and multicultural rhetoric while at the same time there is continuing, and in some cases increasing, racial inequality in the US and abroad (Winant 2000; Berrey 2015). It is at the micro and meso level that social structures take shape, affecting people’s lives. The dominant racial ideology in the United States could be referred to as a “white racial frame” (Feagin 2006; 2013), which justifies systemic racism and white supremacy, and can be adopted by people of any racial identity. Yet, when we study diversity at the individual level, we can see the particular variations that exist between people as they adopt dominant ideologies, adapt those ideologies to fit their social location, or reject those ideologies in favor of “counter frames” (Feagin 2013). For this study, I interviewed 11 parents and educators at an early childhood development center, the Learning Center, about their thoughts, opinions, and experiences with diversity. I argue that the participants whom I interviewed represent people who “opt-in to diversity.” I define opting-in to diversity as a mindset that consciously thinks about diversity, values it as important, and takes actions to seek out diversity in one’s life. Even though their meanings of diversity can themselves be very diverse, they share a common element that recognizes inequality, which gives diversity a level of importance to them that is likely greater than for members of the general population. For my participants, diversity is imbued with a moral requirement; it is part of being a good person. These meanings combined with the elevated level of importance drive actions. The common theme in the actions that participants took was a focus on integration and exposure to others that they considered diverse. The setting for this study functions as an outlet for participants' actions. As people who opt-in to diversity, the participants actively sought places and institutions that align with their ideals of diversity. Several of the participants talked about the decision to purchase a home in the area because of its reputation for being diverse. Likewise, many of the participants enrolled their children or chose to work at the Learning Center because they felt is was truly a diverse and inclusive setting.
Christopher Dum, PhD (Advisor)
Clare Stacey, PhD (Committee Member)
Carla Goar, PhD (Committee Member)
56 p.
Sociology
Diversity; Shaker Heights; colorblind racism

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kreiter, M. P. (2017). Opting-in to Diversity: “Being in a group of people who are different is part of not being an a**hole” [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1491571690942078

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kreiter, Michael. Opting-in to Diversity: “Being in a group of people who are different is part of not being an a**hole”. 2017. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1491571690942078.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kreiter, Michael. "Opting-in to Diversity: “Being in a group of people who are different is part of not being an a**hole”." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1491571690942078

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1491571690942078
351
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.