Diversity Blues: How To Shake 'Em

By Gladys Gossett Hankins and PH.D. Gossett Hankins, Glayds

Using accounts from dozens of individuals who have experienced problems stemming from workplace diversity, author Gladys Hankins, an experienced Human Resources Manager and diversity facilitator,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967911001
• ISBN13: 9780967911007
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Telvic Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 3.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A Bold, Honest and Courageous Insight!!!

Dr. Gladys Hankins has done an excellent job at highlighting many of the subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in corporate America. Her insight is rather compelling with documented real-life interviews and workshops with working adults of different races and gender, as well as individuals working in different capacities and corporate levels. She presents very balanced and fair perspectives of individuals of different racial backgrounds and gender. She has excellently highlighted rather destructive but subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination that are designed consciously or unconsciously to stifle or frustrate many talented and hardworking individuals in corporate America. She has presented these issues in a constructive and non-judgmental manner. No well-meaning company executive and leader would read this book without being propelled to "question" their own stand on fostering true diversity which must include fairness and equity in giving all deserving individuals (regardless of race and gender) equal opportunities for career development and vertical promotion. After reading this book, any well-meaning company executive and leader would be propelled to playing an imaginary role of switching places with a very qualified and hardworking woman or minority man. Such a person must then ask how they would feel if a glass or concrete ceiling were placed on them regardless of their output, productivity, talents, abilities and skills. In this book, Dr. Hankins does a terrific job of bringing out your humanity and reminding you that empowering others equates to empowering yourself, your company, your community and the country as a whole. Dr. Hankins very nicely addresses the White Male fears of seeing any kind of advancement of women or minority men. She brings to light that the feelings and fears of the White Male must be adequately addressed before real progress in corporate diversity issues can be measured. Finally, she offers empowering statements to women and minority men reminding them that to value self from within still surpasses external value by others. This book pierced through the very heart of many subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in the workplace bringing to light the "Diversity Blues". Blues that continue to limit great minds and potentials, and essentially causing many companies to operate at 50% of their human potential. This book is a "must read" for every company executive and leader because it holds many empowering tools that can help any company maximize the potentials of their intelligent, hardworking, well-meaning and well-deserving employees of the human race. Five stars to "Diversity Blues" and congratulations to Dr. Hankins for a brilliant job!!!

Diversity Blues rekindled my drive to create the world I wan

Well done! Dr Hankins does an excellent job of recognizing the state of discrimination and prejudice as I experience it in my life (easier to ignore than 20 years ago). She does two things that really opened my eyes and compelled me to act. The first is identifying the problems as they look today and bringing to light the erosion of productivity this causes. The second is presenting a solid business case for why I should take action to fix these problems. Dr Hankins' style is refreshingly logical and direct. I was compelled to read each next chapter and was ready to spring into action when I finished the last page. This is required reading for everyone who cares about their world.

Enlightening and inspiring!

This book is a real eye-opener to everyone who thinks, "we're in pretty good shape as far as diversity is concerned". Its numerous insightful and moving testimonials involve the reader both intellectually and emotionally and convey that modern racism and sexism in the workplace are still a sad reality. Dr. Hankins challenges readers to examine and revise their own beliefs and assumptions about people who exhibit differences. She reminds all of us regardless of our gender and ethnicity to assume responsibility and ownership for creating the kind of environment, and ultimately the world, we want to live in. To do that she offers strategies to those who are the targets of prejudice and discrimination, encouraging them to address issues from a position of empowerment rather than victimization. She also provides sound guidelines to leaders on how to develop a comprehensive diversity management strategy that goes beyond mere diverse enrollment.A truly enlightening and inspiring book!

Diverstiy blues: A tresure of insights and solutions

Glady Hankins did what I wish I had done. She wrote a practical book about the critical issures of race and sexism. This book was refreshing to read becaused it uplifted, rather than beat people up. The book tells us, in many voices, about what issues people of color and women tend to face day by day as well as the life long struggles for some. The case studies are real and about people who you can feel and hear tell their stories. As a diversity trainer, I loved the book's view of prejucice and discrimination. Because, the section on stereotyping is the best treatment of this subject I have read, this section alone is worth buying the book. But the section on a "letter to white men" is almost tearfully writen to evoke compassion and understanding without the male bashing so many white males receive. I have made this book required reading for all of my trainers and suggested this book for most of my training participants.

"Pass It Forward"

Dr. Hankins shares excellent insights and recommends actions to improve our lives and world. "Diversity Blues" is extremely relevant, now, when we need straight talk and actionable solutions to improve the problems between people, genders, countries, and classes. This book does not just dwell on the problems that exist, it, also, provides an inspirational starting point from which people can come to acknowledge, learn, leverage, and honor all people. My hope is that you will read this book, act upon your learnings, and "pass it forward"!