Multiculturalism\Diversity and Multicentrism; understanding the difference.

Black men and women need to take note and understand the difference between multiculturalism, also know as diversity and Multicentrism.

Multiculturalism and Diversity can be achieved and maintained in a structurally racist and Eurocentric system like we have here in America. Multiculturalism and diversity can also be used to represent something that is not actually what we seek, but because many of our people do not understand the difference between multiculturalism and diversity and what it represent versus Multicentrism and what it represent; black men and women continue to suffer.

Multiculturalism and Diversity is a goal that is sought based on outward appearance like different races and cultures being represented. Thus, we have Bush who claims to believe in Diversity and Multiculturalism and his Cabinet is proof of that. With Powell, Condi, Paige and the various other Black men and women in his administration we can not argue with Bush and his supporters that he embraces Diversity and Multiculturalism. However, when it comes to politics and policy making jobs it is not diversity and multiculturalism that should be sought, the goal should be Multicentrism.

Multicentrism, deals with multiple centers being represented and what differentiate one center from the other is the various perspectives held by each center. If you have ten groups of people of various backgrounds and ethnicity but they all hold the same perspective, you have only achieved Multiculturalism and Diversity, and you have not achieved Multicentrism.

In politics and on jobs where those who hold them are in positions to create policy that affects many communities, it is not enough to have a Black face in one of the positions that shape policy; that Black face should also represent Black interest if he or she is to be one who represents us. A Black face does not necessarily equal Black interest in this day. Having a Black face in politics is not the same as having a Black face working at Wal-Mart or General Electric. The goal of Multiculturalism and Diversity on jobs of no consequence or jobs that are not into shaping public policy is based on race, ethnicity, and gender and so on. We can not use the goals of Multiculturalism and Diversity when we are talking about jobs that shape Public Policy.

Multicentrism is and should be the goal of Black men and women in America for policy making positions. Multicentrism does not put a Black face at the table, it puts one who represents our views and our perspective at the table and that is key in affecting change if there is to be change. In the Bush Administration Collin Powell represents multiculturalism and diversity for the most part; he only represents Multicentrism to the degree that he supports Affirmative Action. Condi Rice and the other Negro-Cons in Bush Administration represent multiculturalism and diversity but in no way do they represent Multicentrism.

Once we understand the difference between Multiculturalism\diversity and Multicentrism, we can then understand the importance of why a sitting President can not snub a Black organization because their perspective is different than his and meet with another Black organizations as a sign of embracing the communities represented by these organizations. The Urban League and the NAACP while similar in function still represent two very different perspectives and are engaged in different battles on behalf of Black men and women, thus Bush meeting with the Urban league and not the NAACP is not only a snub of the NAACP but it is a snub of those whom perspective is represented by the NAACP.

We must understand the difference and make sure a Black face is not being used as a pawn in a dirty game of chess wherein we do not need a Black face but a Black perspective. Know the difference it will help make a difference!