TV election coverage showed — visually — the diversity of the American people, and New Jersey led the way. We are the most diverse state in the country and quickly becoming more so. The demographers tell us, as New Jersey goes, so goes the nation.
Some say that because our presidentelect is a person of color “we’re done” dealing with and working on issues surrounding diversity? Not at all. Now the wave of change seen across the country now becomes visible to so many — a galvanizing shift in the face of America and, especially in New Jersey.
As we quickly move toward a nation with no clear majority, we can think about eliminating the terms “majority” and “minority” from our vocabulary because in a short time, there will be no clear majority here in New Jersey.
As a nation we have voted into our highest office our first president of color. We can use this remarkable milestone as motivation to strive towards insuring that all of our institutions, communities, schools and workplaces provide opportunities equally and justly, not just by vote or law, but by practice.
Whether we call ourselves a melting pot, a tapestry, a mosaic or on and on — our future as a nation now looks different. Our challenge in New Jersey is to capture and appreciate the richness that diversity brings to our institutions, communities, schools, and workplaces.
We can’t ignore the demographic changes. Let’s embrace them and work together to make our society the best that it can be for us and for our future generations.
It is our future and our future is now!
Diane Schwartz
President and CEO
American Conference on Diversity
New Brunswick