Priests brawl at Jesus’ birthplace

This is an incredible story.  This is a definite example of folks not being clear on the concept.

Aren’t White people funny when they act like Black people?

As a resident of the suburbs, I found this video initially amusing.   As I watched, though, it just didn’t sit right.  What’s the source of the humor?  What’s the message?

Racially insensitive Intel Sprinter Ad

I missed Intel’s “Multiply Computing Performance and Maximize the Power of Your Employees” ad this Summer until I came across a n article on Diversity Inc. A larger image found here. It’s interesting to read a variety of views in sites such as The Register, Copyranter, and Afropologe.  Intel posted a response on its blog.

It’s interesting to contemplate.  How was this image vetted within the halls of a major advertising agency working for a major corporation?

While most Christians embrace Christmas, a few recall a more complex history

There are folks who publicly object to efforts to make the holiday season more inclusive by either downplaying mentions of Christmas or including reference to other faith/cultural traditions. This AP article reminds us that there is nothing scriptural or even that long standing about Christmas and how it is celebrated. Christmas, as a tradition, has been in flux for quite some time.

Law firm fails to retain “diversity” hires

I thought this was an interesting article.  This article on law.com discusses a law firm that hired a number of minority lawyers in 2005 to radically increase their minority representation and to jump start the creation of a diversity consulting practice.   Unfortunately, two years later, most of these folks have moved on.  This seems to be a good illustration that organizations need to pay attention to both recruitment AND retention.

An obligatory story about holidays, religious themes and public schools

An interesting, if perhaps a little long, article in the Seattle Times about how public schools deal with the tensions associated with traditional religious themes and the holidays. The approaches seem to vary from embracing a diversity of traditions to simply downplaying any observance.

The Chitling Intelligence Test

I found a reference to this “Chitling Intelligence Test” in what I would call an “anti-diversity” themed blog site.  It was mentioned in the context of a discussion of race and IQ and IQ testing.  It appears to be a purposefully exaggerated use of cultural references in a test to demonstrate the notion of underlying cultural biases in testing. 

Internal Memos in Discrimination Case Put CNN Hiring in Spotlight

Very interesting  situation at CNN.  The article, Internal Memos in Discrimination Case Put CNN Hiring in Spotlight, by R. Robin McDonald at the Fulton County Daily Report (11-09-2007), seems to hinge on the extent that age, race, and gender were used as explicit criterial for the hiring and dismissing of its staff.

 A follow-up article, CNN: Anchor Let Go for Poor Performance, Not Race or Age, by R. Robin McDonald, Fulton County Daily Report (11-20-2007) reports on some of the testimony.

The case is Kolbe v. Cable News Network, No. 1:03-cv-02650-cc.