Lets stop hijacking diversity

Diversity is difference. It is a natural phenomenon, intimately related to uniqueness and identity. There is a rich world of discovery awaiting us when we are ready to fully encounter diversity. But first we have to lift our heads above the bustle around us and look at the big picture. As important as it is to have women executives and people of other races in our neighborhoods, diversity is way, way bigger than that.
Our use of the word "diversity" primarily to address issues of racism, classism, sexism, and other oppressive isms has blinded us to the fact that diversity is a vast fact of life, deeply embedded not only in humanity but in natural systems and in the very fabric of the universe.
Diversity is rich with many dimensions, many manifestations. There is treasure there if we study it well and look deeply. Like fire and genius, diversity can be problematic. And like fire and genius, diversity has creative power we can use to make life better.
Set the Stage for Creative Use of Diversity:
Strengthen the prerequisites for positive use of diversity - e.g., nurture respect, make quality dialogue available, build tolerance for ambiguity and dissonance, encourage an expanded definition of diversity, make sure "bridge people" and facilitators are around to help, etc.
Use Diversity to Add Value:
Use differences to deal with strengths and weaknesses and create emergent phenomena. People's different personality types and learning styles, for example can be used together to great advantage. The fast-moving person can help get things done, while the reflective person can make sure that what's done makes sense.
Use diversity as a resource for resilience and adaptation. Biodiversity is a good model here. If your corn has diverse strains, some of them will surely survive an attacking bug, resulting in more resilent strains for the future. If you've got solar power and grid power, you're in good shape for both cloudy days and blackouts.
Use differences to increase understanding of complex issues. Everyone has a piece of the Big Picture. If people really listen to each other, they'll get a bigger picture of what's going on. The trick is to include truly diverse perspectives in the conversation -- and then listen.
Work through differences to resolve conflict. Usually this requires, again, the conflicted people hearing each other well, and feeling heard. Then they can start to see each other as fellow human beings and work together to find good solutions.

Notice I did not talk about race, quotas, or any other manipulation.