DiversityInc - May 2010

;THE POLITICAL CLIMATE;

Yelling

FIRE in a Crowded Theater

For your corporate environment, you must take into account that people with certain political feelings may not be bigoted, but the message is going to be received as bigoted—and oppressive. I’m not saying that normal political discourse isn’t going to happen in the workplace, but our current situation isn’t normal—it’s explosive. Why? Although the stock market is rebounding, our economy is under a great deal of stress.

; The number of homeowners who are “underwater” on their mortgage (meaning they owe more than the house is worth) has been climbing for some time and is now 24 percent.

; U- 6 Unemployment: The percentage of workers who are out of work, under-working (part-time jobs when full time is desired) or have given up hope has been around 17 percent for a year, double the average of the preceding nine years.

Mass rallies include ugly images, such as President Obama in demon-ic-looking white face. Resigned Gov. Palin’s campaign map that uses rifle-scope reticule images to target Congressional elections. The “Don’t Tread on Me” flags. The tea bags. “Big Government is the Problem.” “No more taxes!” There is a decidedly racist tone to much of what is going on—for obvious reasons.

What kind of climate do you have? Check the bumper stickers on the cars in your parking lot.

; There are 2. 4 million mortgages that are 60 days late, and it is estimated that there will be 4. 5 million foreclosure filings this year.

Luke Visconti, CEO
; Healthcare expenses are now
17 percent of our GDP, up from 10

percent in 1982.

What I think this portends for us is that a group of Americans, mostly white, will have a lengthy, if not permanent, decline in their standard of living.

What you need to worry about as business executives—especially those of you interested in diversity— is the backlash. We happen to have a perfect storm of talented media personalities (Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin and Sean Hannity) who are using phrases and images to incite people who are anxious about what they’re losing. They are utilizing Joseph Goebbels’ simple theory: “History proves that the greatest world movements have always developed when their leaders knew how to unify their followers under a short, clear theme.”