Diversity is one of our greatest strengths

Sololiya Ebba | The Chronicle

“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices,” said 17-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, in her Dr. Dre Global Impact Award acceptance speech.

Keys will be remembered as the first woman to receive this honor since the awards’ introduction six years ago. 

However, when the cameras flashed and the lights shone, she used her moment in the spotlight to advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the country. She made a statement that not only spoke to the viewers at home, but to the room of ultra-rich, ultra-talented and ultra-powerful people she stood before.

“We’ve seen on this stage talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view, and it changes the game,” Keys said. “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift ‒ and the more voices, the more powerful the sound.”

Celebrities often get tagged with the “out-of-touch” allegations. Many believe that since they live in their large homes with money falling off trees, they simply do not care about the real-life issues that everyday people face. While this could be true, Keys is far from out-of-touch. While accepting an award dedicated to artists who commit themselves to philanthropy, entrepreneurship and cultural impact, she shared a message America needed to hear.

Diversity strengthens, not weakens. 

In order to be “in-touch,” we need perspectives that challenge the status quo and expand our understanding of the world. At Mason High School, diversity serves as the foundation for the vast, talented and unique student body. Here, we are able to connect with people who do not look like us, and that serves as a way that we can exhibit empathy and understanding. 

In a time when devastating plane crashes get blamed on diversity hiring, it is imperative to ground ourselves and search for the truth in the media. Keys’ comments at the GRAMMYs were a response to the negative media portrayal of diversity that is being painted by President Donald Trump and his cabinet. When American Airlines flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29,  Trump argued that DEI’s “radical” and “wasteful” hiring techniques led to the tragic deaths that ensued. Although there is no proven truth in his claims, the American people are directly taking this false information, which is not only detrimental to the system set in place that protects minorities in the workforce but also our trust in elected officials. While Trump continues to curate and sell the false narrative that diversity is discriminatory, Keys and many others highlight the truth: diversity is unifying.

In accordance with Trump’s harsh treatment of DEI in recent weeks, large corporations, including Target, Walmart, Lowe’s and McDonald’s, have significantly cut their diversity hiring programs. 

Diversity is not synonymous with incompetence. 

The rhetoric that equalizes hiring diverse candidates with lower standards is not only baseless but deeply rooted in fear and misinformation. Someone’s age, race, sexuality or gender does not dictate their capability to perform well. 

 Diversity is not a liability, it is an asset.

And yet, in an era where facts are so easily drowned out by outrage, simply acknowledging the importance of inclusion and equity has become a battle. That is why Alicia Keys’ words were so vital. In a moment where she seemed to be above the rest, she brought herself back down and chose to highlight a truth that is under attack. 

“The more voices, the more powerful the sound.” It’s a simple statement, but it goes far beyond the prestigious walls of the GRAMMYs, the Recording Academy or the music industry. The more voices, the stronger we are.

The backlash against diversity initiatives reveals an unsettling reality: many would rather hold on to old, unfair systems than accept change. They would rather falsely blame a tragedy on inclusion rather than work toward fixing systematic issues. It is easier to scapegoat diversity than to look at the true causes of failure ‒ whether it be human error or simply mismanagement. It is up to the people, the receivers of the media, to determine what is true. The boy can cry wolf, but the people do not have to come to the rescue.

Diversity is not a partisan agenda or a political strategy. It is a reflection of humanity. Workplaces, schools and communities are made up of people from all sorts of backgrounds. We benefit from our diversity. It allows us the opportunity to learn, grow and celebrate the talents of others. When we uplift all voices, we create better solutions and better communities. Diversity is what makes us stronger.

This is not just about GRAMMY Award speeches or corporate DEI programs. It is about the larger narrative being shaped, which tries to diminish and silence the input of minorities. But as Alicia Keys reminded us, diversity isn’t going anywhere. It is a gift. And no matter how loudly some try to drown it out, the choir of voices calling for equity and representation will only grow stronger.