Why Janesville Should Be Concerned With Diversity by Dave Haldiman

I recently heard about a blog posting asking why Janesville and its leaders should be concerned with diversity. There are ways to answer that some could dismiss as "liberal" abstractions about equality and justice (although I'd subscribe to most of them). My reply to that blogger would be along more practical lines:

1. Diversity is inevitable. The events of January 20th do not represent an anomaly or mistake.

2. Without new, varied and innovative inputs, most any system, species or community will become static and decline, ultimately heading towards extinction (e.g. hemophilia, guillotines, and WW1, if you're European royalty). Okay, that's a bit abstract, but objectively pretty much true.

3. Most times, people who feel excluded develop resentments against the dominant majority. These resentments can be real or imagined (how do you quickly answer someone who claims that because of his neighborhood, his street is the last to be plowed? It doesn't matter whether he's right or wrong). Dangerous infections of attitude result, which are passed down generations, and become more and more difficult to treat throughout a population.
3a. The infected attitudes in the excluded enclaves cost the entire community: more crime and policing, infrastructure and property degradation, and the image/reputation of the community (both within and without).

4. By reaching out to minorities and the disadvantaged in tangible ways, community leaders can invite equity interest. Respect, pride and investment flow both ways. The absence of those attributes from either side equals returning to point three above. When people believe the community cares about them, they care about the community, and they contribute in tangible ways.