The Paradox of Diversity: Dr. Marilyn Sanders Mobley at TEDxCLE 2013

Appointed in 2009 as the inaugural Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity at Case Western Reserve University, Marilyn Sanders Mobley, PhD, provides strategic leadership for the university-wide effort to develop and sustain a welcoming environment for faculty, students, staff, and alumni. She is a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2010 and serves as a trustee for the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation, and Women of Hope. She was also selected to chair the Breakthrough Charter Schools Diversity Committee and was recently selected to serve on the board of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education.
Prior to her appointment at CWRU, she served as Provost at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to her provost appointment, she was the Associate Provost for Educational Programs at George Mason University and a tenured Associate Professor of English, where she was also a faculty member for 19 years. Dr. Mobley also founded the African American Studies Program at George Mason and served as its first director for six years.
She is a published author and Toni Morrison scholar, whose first book- Folk Roots and Mythic Wings in Sarah Orne Jewett and Toni Morrison: The Cultural Function of Narrative (LSU Press, 1991)-was one of the first cross-cultural studies on the Nobel Prize winning author. Her two books in progress include Spaces for the Reader: Toni Morrison's Narrative Poetics and Cultural Politics and The Strawberry Room, And Other Places Where a Woman Finds Herself, a memoir about the passage from family trauma to spiritual recovery. Dr. Mobley is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and is the proud mother of two adult sons and grandmother of three grandsons. She serves as a lay minister at Arlington Church of God and resides in Akron, Ohio.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@abbyxmin]

"The racial markers were left out to help us decide - which proves that diversity is our unfinished business because what we can’t acknowledge we can’t address." Thank you Dr. Marilyn Sanders Mobley for reminding us that our civic engagement can actually make a difference.

[@TPGNATURAL]

What a great talk you gave us, thank you.

[@milawynn]

Yes!!! Dr. Mac, as I knew her. It is truly a pleasure to find this video of this woman sharing her beautiful mind and intellect. You are missed in Va, Dr. Mobley.

[@MsCassie272]

Thank you, Dr. Mobley..right on point,

[@BIGNELLTV]

Awesome Lecture By Dr. Marilyn Sanders Mobley

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Great great talk . Inspiring. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@najibchaib5868]

What a strong conclusion. Thanks for sharing! Wow, it is really fascinating!

[@hala3ammar377]

! خ٨ح٨، ييب ج9٩٩. 0

[@noursima99]

Brilliant 💜

[@hansbergmann323]

Great, Marilyn. Hans

[@jackreacher.]

My grandmother's avant -garde Private Chef included anchovy with green pepper in his strawberry jello. I can tell you how my life changed, then. I am the select and perfect gourmand. Menu diversity is the only way to achieve a Utopian world menu.

[@matrixleague]

I found this video very informative.

[@westernessence7644]

A world of independent cultures is true diversity and freedom. A multicultural state doesn't contribute to Human diversity; it doesn't contribute to Human happiness, peace and harmony; It more often than not lessens Human love, and Human rights; no matter what the high motive it produces more disharmony than harmony; more discord than accord.

[@phira360]

diversity, diverse city

[@ehrl07]

I think the reason why people are having difficulties in getting her point is that, her stories doesn't have a firm relation with what she wants to say. You will not get her arguments forever if you just stick into the surface of her saying. You have to go deep into it and get the context to understand what her story is. (But I agree with you that her storytelling skill is not quite good..) I think her point is, there are two kinds of people talking about diversity. #1: our works to fulfill diversity is enough and we don't need more from it. #2 : NO we have so much things to do about diversity yet. and this disparity is the 'paradox', which she intended to tell you on the title. And Dr. mobley is telling you that the second one is right. she's saying we have to acknowledge and recognize consistently our blind spot. and it's not enough to say 'I have a diversity manner' or 'I care and think seriously about diversity'. She's saying just with those mindsets, the diversity will not be achieved completely. You have to go out from your classroom and really act on it. You have to really speak about the diversity with your mouth. So to be short, I think the presenter is trying to give motivation to act about diversity for you guys. that's it. thanks.

[@PeaceProfit]

In a world that celebrates and thrives upon the natural beauty, harmony and evolution of diversity, mankind struggles to overcome NORMAL which is the self imposed social disorder he suffers from... L.O.V.E.*Rulz

[@westernessence7644]

We always celebrate biodiversity~ the truth is we must also celebrate true Human diversity; and that's done not by trying to make each nation multicultural but make each nation have it's own individual identity and culture and heritage, and each people allowed to preserve that identity~ that's what it's really all about.

[@delorisherbert3954]

Diversity is something I am passionate about because it's part of my dialogue who I am and how I can make a difference in this world. I wrote and published my own children's book about values and feelings! Why because it's a colourful world not a colourless world! Check out 2nd Chance For Clifford out on Amazon!

[@dnw009]

You left me wondering if it is diversity for it's own sake as in equality for all or equal opportunity for all that you are passionate about.

[@michaeld9682]

@@dnw009 dei is a religion. You will be fired if you question it

[@dennisr.levesque2320]

So what's the paradox? You did mention in passing, that some want more and some want less of it. But, that's no paradox. This looks more like a "fix" to non-existent problem. I don't get it.

[@FAMILIAPEREZAMADOR]

Diverse but separate ok sounds logical

[@Lil08103]

Cepb 77 what do you mean by separate? historically, separate has meant that white ppl received benefits denied to others. this is why the notion of separate understandably gives pause to many ppl.

[@phil3924]

I wonder how many talks like this go on in Japan, China or Korea.

[@NoName-ym5zj]

I've heard that blacks and latinos get additional SAT points, is that true?

[@GoogleUser-wy2vv]

+Saxon Warrior have u even noticed widespread corporate greed. blacks aren't your problem, Einstein.

[@cynthiajackson5013]

I'm wondering where you heard that. Could you please cite your source? Thank you.

[@NoName-ym5zj]

Can't remember now, but you don't have to go far if you need some info on that. Try checking LA times

[@lovelylesha]

No, it is not true as African American and Latino students score lower on their SAT's than their white peers. This is because African American, Asian and Latino learners statiscally perform better in project based exhibitions of knowledge.

[@kevinboone2178]

There are numerous reasons why African Americans (AAs) do less well than all SAT takers, and none are indications of intellectual inferiority -- an assertion you didn't make, but others will. Folks do some homework. Find out why AAs do less well on standardized tests.

[@rogermetzger7335]

The United States formulated its Constitution after the Roman Church had spent 1200 years trying to get everyone to think and act alike. What did the founding fathers of the United States’ system of government intend by the phrase, “All men”? When I was born (1944) people in the U.S. were still talking about the idea of a “melting pot” where differences could be celebrated as contributing to a culture that (in theory anyway) benefited from inclusiveness. A few decades ago, I started hearing people promote the idea that we should abandon the ideal of a melting pot in favor of the “salad” model. As far as I know, nobody has ever accused me of being a methodist but pretend for a few minutes that I trace my heritage to the Wesley brothers and their friends in jolly old England. Pretend that I’m a member of one of the denominations in the U.S. that likewise claims such an heritage. Pretend that some of the members of our denomination have mostly European ancestors. Let’s call that group “Group A”. Now let’s say there is another group in our denomination, the majority of whose ancestors are from another continent. Let’s call that group, “Group B.” I don’t know much about how methodist denominations are organized but let’s say that our particular denomination created Group B administrative units about ninety years ago (separate but ostensibly equal). Over the last thirty years, few or none of the congregations that consist primarily of Group A have refused membership from Group B and few or none of the congregations that consist primarily of Group B have refused membership from Group A (north of the Mason/Dixon at least). Over that same period of time, members of Group A have repeatedly voted to fully “integrate” our denomination in the sense of making members of Group B part of the currently Group A administration but Group B have voted repeatedly to maintain separate administrative units. Barriers to full integration include: Group A place more focus on grace, Bible and individuality while Group B place more focus on obedience, tradition, Wesleyan doctrine, hierarchy and creedal conformity. Group A prefer a more “reserved” worship style while Group B encourage a more demonstrative worship style--more hand-clapping, for example. Group A teach their children a sense of propriety relative to church buildings in general and worship services in particular while Group B allow their children to run and play in church buildings, even during services and don’t object when children walk on the pews or talk during services. Group A prefer to be able to invite people to attend services that begin and end at specified times while Group B operate as if there were no such things as clocks. What advice can you give us? Should people in Group A continue to encourage the melting pot ideal? Or should we, as a denomination, embrace the salad model? How do (or should) these answers inform questions about goals in the larger (U.S.) society in which we live?

[@cynthiajackson5013]

I think you have unrealistic expectations in that Group A is more desirable than Group B, and that Group B should pattern themselves after Group A. Group B is Group B. It is good enough as it is. It is not a failed attempt to be Group A, rather it is the successful realization of the ideals and values of Group B. Your mistake seems to be in the attempt to superimpose Group A's ideals and values onto Group B. Group B most probably does not welcome your efforts. It would give even the most reasonable and tolerant person the sense that Group A perceives itself as superior to Group B. For example, the "barriers" you list are also valid when looked at from the opposing point of view: Group B prefers to focus on obedience, tradition, Wesleyan doctrine, hierarchy, and creedal conformity. Group A does not. Group B encourages a more demonstrative worship style. Group A does not. Group B allow their children to run and play in church buildings, do not overly emphasize automaton behavior in services, and do not allow children being children to distract them from their worship (possibly because their children are deemed of more value than a brick and mortar structure). Group A does not. Group B prefers to allow the Holy Spirit to lead the duration of services (because strict observation to a clock may hinder Its work), which means that service may run longer. Group A does not. Group A and Group B are different. Not better than and less than. Simply different. That is okay.

[@rogermetzger7335]

Cynthia, Thanks for your response. If group B in my hypothetical illustration prefer to remain separate but equal, should we extrapolate that they prefer the "salad" model rather than the "melting pot" model? If so, should we, as a society (and based on that preference), give up on the "melting" pot model in favor of encouraging various ethnic, language, religious or other groups to create or maintain separate enclaves in western society? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the "salad" model? Or am I missing something?

[@dkn8463]

Paradox? Nowhere did you describe a paradox. You talk about diversity without saying anything of importance. Why is diversity a good thing? Explain your purpose. The only diversity that matters is diversity of thought, the rest is all much less important and more inconsequential, kind of like Toni Morrison's writing. The most overrated author of all time.

[@mindingdiversity7247]

Affinity groups may be valuable, but encouraging them based on race, rather than interests is ridiculous. The fact that "black" and "white" floors even existed at that university is disgusting. Affinity groups based on majors, hobbies, or philanthropic goals make sense; but affinity groups based on external features that one is born with and cannot change is closed minded, absurd, and stigmatizing!

[@OnlyLoveCan38]

Why did you lie on your friend? Were you really her friend?

[@QnA22]

It takes forever to get to the point of the speach. Am not interested in her past, certainly not if it takes 3 minutes. A good speach is a good speach, regardless of your background.

[@SagittarianArrows]

She is not talking just to you. Her background was useful to put her points into context.

[@westernessence7644]

I believe in Human liberation; I believe in Human freedom; I believe that every people on this earth have the right to be free, have a right to live in a society that reflects their values, their culture, their heritage, their interests. And I believe that this forced so called multiculturalism, the so called forced diversity is so different than the reality that diversity really is. And I like the fact that there are different peoples, heritages, races, ethnic groups, cultures, religions but when you force people together in the name of diversity what you do is you're really working for a globalist ideal of some sort of destruction of diversity.

[@112233jjooee]

Robert Bump I agree, it reeks of globalism. and it holds up someones physical traits as more important than their actions.

[@112233jjooee]

***** Dude, whether or not you are being a troll, you are actually demonstrating how oppressed you are by the color of your skin.

[@annabudden9233]

Your comment intrigues me. What do you then think diversity "really is," and how would you go about achieving this?

[@westernessence7644]

Anna Budden I believe that real diversity is created by the fact that different people live in different areas and they have a celebration of their own particular culture and they preserve that culture and preserve even their genetic heritage (their genome). To me, celebrating true human diversity isn't done by trying to make each nation multicultural but each nation having it's own individual identity and culture and heritage and each people allowed to preserve that identity. True diversity is created by the idea that each people has the right to preserve themselves, that each expression of humanity has a right to survive and to exist (and that includes European people). The truth is that diversity isn't accomplished by forcing millions of people into another country that's very different from them culturally and religiously. That's a great source of conflict, and against the will of those people. I mean, doesn't massive diversity of religious view, cultural view, racial elements in a country ultimately lead to division? Doesn't that lead to rancor? doesn't that lead to ethno politics? Look, honestly, I think the best way to accord the diversity of mankind isn't by trying to put the diversity together which ends up causing friction, hatreds, conflicts and often war - that's the reality of life (it's a part of human nature). Why do we fight against human nature?

[@westernessence7644]

We can go on and on but my ultimate concern is that people have a view of diversity that's perverted and unnatural - and it's destroying White people.

[@Fundemons]

This is why KZbin should shut down the comment sections. Too many whiny little bigots

[@sluggo2014]

Chief diversity officer? WTF

[@YOSUP315]

What she actually seems to mean by this word "diversity" is "less white and/or male people."

[@dnw009]

Isn't that what forced diversity always means? They want equality of outcome not equal opportunity for all.

[@YOSUP315]

Yeah, *Equality of outcome, except in sports where meritocracy is OK

[@RubiMercuri]

Nobody wants them anyways.

[@DryMilks]

This video gave me brain rot

[@rossmelanson6999]

The opposite of diversity is unity, jus sayin….

[@valeriehogan4229]

this women, makes it very difficult to understand diversity, have no clue whats shes talking about.?!#?.

[@epicnooo]

Valerie hogan damn.. read a book or something?

[@djsifu07]

Because it a whole bunch of words with no meaning.

[@djsifu07]

Ohhhh lawd, here we go again. How much does a CDO make? Im sure the bottom levels would appreciate a cut of your pay to help them pay for the insurance premiums they cant afford for their families. 🤪😏

[@kottbusserdamm3560]

She stole 16 minutes with that empty babble !

[@samuelwilliams9000]

Her overall message is good, but her delivery is absolutely all over the place. No passion in the voice, plus a lack of cohesive storytelling makes this speech about as boring as an improvised-that-day high school paper.

[@2001gogamecocks]

WONSERFUL message, unfortunately you were preaching to the choir because anyone you may have reached checked when you said" there are even some people who have the NERVE to say we live in a post racial society" Niiiice, you realize that showed your Bias. Hard to hear anything after that. Why should we give credence to your words when you dismiss someone else's. See yourself in me see yourself in everyone everyone see their self in you. You are not the gate keeper on what is right and wrong it what requires "nerve"

[@biapac7849]

Useless

[@lilyg8761]

Bia Pac I read your username as “Big Mac”

[@biapac7849]

@@lilyg8761 You might unconsciously wanna eat some meat..