How does diversity really work?
Diversity is a complex concept that encompasses thoughts, emotions, experiences, social context, political process, identity and more.
Philip Patston calls for a more in-depth dialogue about diversity and offers a creative opportunity for artists to participate.
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Diversity is a complex concept that encompasses thoughts, emotions, experiences, social context, political process, identity and more. The challenge is to reflect both internal and external processes that promote or restrict human diversity, including but not limited to personal, psychological, social, cultural and political factors.
As human beings, we need to develop a more in-depth dialogue about diversity – moving beyond the usual characteristics of culture, race, ethnicity, disability, sexuality – to explore the idea that diversity exists in all people, in all places, at all times and that the challenge to humanity is to recognise it and respond appropriately.
We need to build relationships that represent the complex and interactive nature of diversity, over and above usual one-dimensional articulations. That means creating change in mindset and language. Notions of normality and abnormality need to be reframed to common (similar) and unique (different).
We need to focus on self-awareness rather than awareness of others. People need to understand their own unique and common experiences; then they are better equipped to engage in an exploration of commonality and uniqueness among groups. Communities can then spend time exploring how they are similar and different to each other, instead of arguing with each other about complying with cultural norms.
Acceptance rather than judgement of similarity and difference is easier said than done. It requires us to move away from good or bad, right or wrong and accept that our experience “simply and complexly is”. Only then will we change our understanding of human characteristics and give up our obsession with labelling.
Diversityworks Trust, in association with its Peer Support Network and the International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers, invite expressions of interest from artists to support a proposal for an exhibition at ARTstation, in Auckland, New Zealand, centred around the theme “How Diversity Works.”
For more information see the Call for Expressions of Interest here.
DIVINQ is an online and offline process I designed for young adults that creates space for a light-hearted and fun yet meaningful and exploratory conversation. The conversation aims to generate empowerment, understanding and self-acceptance by encouraging creative thinking about values, beliefs, assumptions, diversity, human rights and a myriad of other things. No DIVINQ is ever the same
Until 2008 Philip Patston identified as gay, disabled and vegetarian. These days he prefers to think of himself as having a unique experience. A creative entrepreneur and change consultant, with fifteen years’ experience as an award-winning professional comedian, he aims to promote a new, more useful understanding of diversity. He runs Diversity New Zealand in his spare time.
