Diversity Blues: How To Shake 'Em [Paperback]

Gladys Gossett Hankins (Author), Glayds, PH.D. Gossett Hankins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2000

Using accounts from dozens of individuals who have experienced problems stemming from workplace diversity, author Gladys Hankins, an experienced Human Resources Manager and diversity facilitator, offers solutions to the race- and gender-based problems facing corporations and other organizations. Diversity Blues offers answers for managers and employees alike for eradicating problems through a proactive, constructive process, helping to create prejudice- and discrimination-free work environments in which all organization members are free to contribute fully and grow.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

John Pepper, who now heads Procter & Gamble, and his predecessor Edwin Artzt have made the Cincinnati-based consumer products giant an industry leader in promoting and practicing workplace diversity. Hankins has worked as a manager at Procter & Gamble for 25 years and conducted training seminars all over the U.S. Authors of several recent books about the challenges of managing a diverse workforce have suggested that attempting to change a person's beliefs about race and about those who may be different may be fruitless. They suggest that managers, instead, should focus on appropriate behavior rather than inappropriate attitudes. Hankins attacks the issue head-on. The problem, she counters, is prejudice; prejudices must be addressed, she goes on to warn. While focusing on the problems faced by women and minority males, Hankins confirms that workplace prejudice and discrimination continue to exist. At the same time, she acknowledges the concerns of white males and charts the role of senior managers in battling racism and sexism on the job. David Rouse
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Telvic Press (November 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967911001
• ISBN-13: 978-0967911007
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,571,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bold, Honest and Courageous Insight!!!, December 18, 2001

By 

Dr. Jacinta Aniagolu (South San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diversity Blues: How To Shake 'Em (Paperback)

Dr. Gladys Hankins has done an excellent job at highlighting many of the subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in corporate America. Her insight is rather compelling with documented real-life interviews and workshops with working adults of different races and gender, as well as individuals working in different capacities and corporate levels. She presents very balanced and fair perspectives of individuals of different racial backgrounds and gender. She has excellently highlighted rather destructive but subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination that are designed consciously or unconsciously to stifle or frustrate many talented and hardworking individuals in corporate America. She has presented these issues in a constructive and non-judgmental manner. No well-meaning company executive and leader would read this book without being propelled to "question" their own stand on fostering true diversity which must include fairness and equity in giving all deserving individuals (regardless of race and gender) equal opportunities for career development and vertical promotion. After reading this book, any well-meaning company executive and leader would be propelled to playing an imaginary role of switching places with a very qualified and hardworking woman or minority man. Such a person must then ask how they would feel if a glass or concrete ceiling were placed on them regardless of their output, productivity, talents, abilities and skills. In this book, Dr. Hankins does a terrific job of bringing out your humanity and reminding you that empowering others equates to empowering yourself, your company, your community and the country as a whole.

Dr. Hankins very nicely addresses the White Male fears of seeing any kind of advancement of women or minority men. She brings to light that the feelings and fears of the White Male must be adequately addressed before real progress in corporate diversity issues can be measured. Finally, she offers empowering statements to women and minority men reminding them that to value self from within still surpasses external value by others.

This book pierced through the very heart of many subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in the workplace bringing to light the "Diversity Blues". Blues that continue to limit great minds and potentials, and essentially causing many companies to operate at 50% of their human potential. This book is a "must read" for every company executive and leader because it holds many empowering tools that can help any company maximize the potentials of their intelligent, hardworking, well-meaning and well-deserving employees of the human race. Five stars to "Diversity Blues" and congratulations to Dr. Hankins for a brilliant job!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredibly Well-rounded, Bold and Honest Insight !!!, December 17, 2001

By 

Dr. Jacinta Aniagolu (South San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diversity Blues: How To Shake 'Em (Paperback)

Dr. Gladys Hankins has done an excellent job at highlighting many of the subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in corporate America. Her insight is rather compelling with documented real-life interviews and workshops with working adults of different races and gender, as well as individuals working in different capacities and corporate levels. She presents very balanced and fair perspectives of individuals of different racial backgrounds and gender. She has excellently highlighted rather destructive but subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination that are designed consciously or unconsciously to stifle or frustrate many talented and hardworking individuals in corporate America. She has presented these issues in a constructive and non-judgmental manner. No well-meaning company executive and leader would read this book without being propelled to "question" their own stand on fostering true diversity which must include fairness and equity in giving all deserving individuals (regardless of race and gender) equal opportunities for career development and vertical promotion. After reading this book, any well-meaning company executive and leader would be propelled to playing an imaginary role of switching places with a very qualified and hardworking woman or minority man. Such a person must then ask how they would feel if a glass or concrete ceiling were placed on them regardless of their output, productivity, talents, abilities and skills. In this book, Dr. Hankins does a terrific job of bringing out your humanity and reminding you that empowering others equates to empowering yourself, your company, your community and the country as a whole.

Dr. Hankins very nicely addresses the White Male fears of seeing any kind of advancement of women or minority men. She brings to light that the feelings and fears of the White Male must be adequately addressed before real progress in corporate diversity issues can be measured. Finally, she offers empowering statements to women and minority men reminding them that to value self from within still surpasses external value by others.

This book pierced through the very heart of many subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in the workplace bringing to light the "Diversity Blues". Blues that continue to limit great minds and potentials, and essentially causing many companies to operate at 50% of their human potential. This book is a "must read" for every company executive and leader because it holds many empowering tools that can help any company maximize the potentials of their intelligent, hardworking, well-meaning and well-deserving employees of the human race. Five stars to "Diversity Blues" and congratulations to Dr. Hankins for an excellent job!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Diversity Blues rekindled my drive to create the world I wan, March 30, 2001

By 

Delaine S. Adkins (Yellow Springs, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diversity Blues: How To Shake 'Em (Paperback)

Well done! Dr Hankins does an excellent job of recognizing the state of discrimination and prejudice as I experience it in my life (easier to ignore than 20 years ago). She does two things that really opened my eyes and compelled me to act. The first is identifying the problems as they look today and bringing to light the erosion of productivity this causes. The second is presenting a solid business case for why I should take action to fix these problems. Dr Hankins' style is refreshingly logical and direct. I was compelled to read each next chapter and was ready to spring into action when I finished the last page. This is required reading for everyone who cares about their world.