Colleagues,
Like many of you, I’ve been following the news, reactions and comments about the recent murder of Trevon Martin, the Florida teen who was murderdered while walking in the “wrong” neighborhood at the “wrong” time. While I have no particular agenda (I’m a single white male baby boomer), I can’t help but weep for this innocent boy and his mourning family.
The reason I’m bringing this to Govloop is that I hope and pray that those of us who serve our nation and its ideals through our civil service, are not a part of the bigotry and prejudice that brought about this needless crime.
I, like many of you, have the privilege of working with an amazing and talented cross section of Americans; different generations, cultures, ethnicities and colors. Are we truly “color blind” and do we truly see one another as colleagues in a shared vision and mission or do we bring our childhood prejudices and biases with us into government service?
Do we resent or question the real or perceived advantages that may be given to minorities and veterans or are we open and accepting of those whom we think may have been hired or promoted because of factors that may not have included “best qualified?”
The basis of my question is to consider whether of not we have achieved an appropriate and just balance in our human resource policies that allows all Americans, regardless of their origins, to serve our nation in the positions for which they are qualified.
Excellent article. And I too am a baby boomer who has worked for the DOD for 44 years with those of many cultures and backgrounds. Isn’t variety the spice of life?? I recall my first position, being the only female illustrator, and the “guys” were upset that women were changing the workplace. I quietly but firmly stated that we were “improving” the workplace. There’s room for all.