Cultural IQ

Decision 2008:Will Disappointment Drive Us Apart?

 

It’s time for us to consider what we will say to our friends and family if our favorite presidential candidate, heaven forbid, should happen to lose.

This primary process has been so complex, with so many variables, that political pundits can’t even agree on which Democratic candidate leads the popular vote (depends upon which states are included and what you do with caucuses). Whichever direction the winds of fate blow, one camp is likely to feel slighted.

So, in the months ahead, we are going to face the task helping one another to heal.  Not so much Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama or even John McCain, mind you, but the millions of voters who stood in long lines at the polls, attended rallies in record numbers and campaigned for leaders they believed in.

Losing gracefully is part of a politician’s job in a democracy. Seasoned veterans, however, most always get a consolation prize; rarely do they go home empty-handed. There’s the new book on the best-seller list; speaking engagements that can pay $50,000; or, as in the case of Al Gore, a chance to put a cause into the national spotlight and win the Nobel Peace Prize to boot.

Ordinary voters don’t get any of these perks, so they are more likely to feel the pain. We pour our hearts into a mission, and get a glimpse the future we want, only to find that when the election is over, our candidate may go down in  defeat, leaving us the hard task of rallying around the winner.

Over the course of my life, I’ve had many chats with colleagues and friends that pulled me – and them – out of my comfort zone. The same kind of talks that friends and family will have when they gather for the Fourth of July, Labor Day and even Thanksgiving dinners. We must set basic ground rules for these exchanges so we end up feeling better afterward, not worse.

My inner circle of friends and family has divided its support among the three remaining candidates: McCain, Obama and Clinton.  So no matter what happens on Election Day, somebody in my life likely will end up feeling this is a national tragedy or, perhaps, demanding a recount.

So, I am getting ready now – so that I am ready when the moment arrives. I’ve come up with a few basic rules to help me avoid collisions as the election’s runs, hits and errors continue to be tallied. My job is to keep my circle intact.

Rules for the Winning Team:

No Gloating:  Don’t run out into the street and yell: “The good guys finally won.” Instead, use phrases that bring people back together:  We might say, “I am happy such diversity of thought has emerged, and we found ways to make each other better.”

Don’t Bring Up Higher Powers:  Refrain from making statements indicating that God or, perhaps, Allah was responsible for the victory. People around the world are listening in. Our job is to show others how to keep religion out of politics.

Demonstrate Inclusiveness: We should not limit our thanks to all the people who voted for our side. Thank everyone who took the duties of citizenship seriously.  Find an issue you agree with them on, and volunteer to work with them. Eliminate the divide.

Listen and Ask Questions That Can Raise Our IQ’s: People rarely get into trouble for asking thoughtful or probing questions. Cultural collisions often occur because people make assumptions before they have had sufficient time to collect the facts.  Ask questions of voters unhappy with the primary outcome.  Ask them to share their feelings and concerns. Listen to them.  Empathy is the one bridge that can span all sizes of divides. If others feel mistreated, then listen to them without making any comment. Just let them talk.  When they have finished, repeat their points back to show they have been heard.

Do-Over: When words we regret pop out of our mouth, ask permission to take them back. Call for a do-over.  We might ask, “May I take that statement back?”  The other side is obligated to grant this request. That way, we spend more time on issues that matter, and less time on writing apologies.

Check and Manage Our Cultural Filter:  If we can’t find one good thing to say about the losing campaigns, then we can’t see the truth. Every candidate has strengths and weaknesses. Our job is to manage our cultural shades so we can see the shortcomings of the winner, and the strengths of those who opposed us.    

Rules for the Losing Side:

Ask Questions: Let’s not conclude there’s been a conspiracy or injustice until we have had time to collect and consider the facts. When proof is in hand, state our points calmly in a quiet voice. The tone we use often determines whether others can really hear us. Don’t attack or tear down the winning candidate. Instead talk about what you stand for and what you want to accomplish.

Let the Pain Go: Find a good friend or family member who will listen to you. Explain your fears and concerns. Or write a letter about the election and then tear it up. Do whatever you must to keep the hurt from imprisoning you.

Check and Manage Our Cultural Filter:  If we can’t find one good thing to say about the winning campaigns, then we can’t see the truth. Every candidate has strengths and weaknesses. Our job is to manage our cultural shades so we can see the shortcomings of the loser, and the strengths of the winner.

Do-Over: When words we regret pop out of our mouth, ask permission to take them back. Call for a do-over.  We might ask, “May I take that statement back?” The other side is obligated to grant this request. That way, we spend more time on issues that matter, and less time on writing apologies.

Hurrah for the Patriots: Republics survive only when, and if, the losing sides in an election are willing to put the interests of the nation ahead their own self-interests. This peaceful exchange of power from one group to another is America’s extraordinary gift to the world. Instead of calling people who supported losing candidates losers, let’s call them patriots instead.

Keep the Faith: Don’t let anyone tell you to “get over it and move on.” If you must grieve, do so. Then get back to work. The country needs your creative energy, talent, and intellect. Remember, democracy does not require conformity; rather it requires the belief that, in the end, things will turn out all right.

Role of Diversity and Inclusion Executives Changing Fast, Conference Board Says

 

              Press Release / News

 

May 27, 2008

Corporate diversity and inclusion executives are under growing pressure as key players in their companies' strategic business growth, according to an analysis by The Conference Board.

A compliance-driven business function when it was first created, the role of diversity and inclusion practitioners is rapidly becoming an important part of overall business strategy. However, a lack of clarity about the new role of diversity and inclusion executives may be hampering both the potential and way companies value this business function. Fast-paced technological change, globalization, immigration, an aging workforce, and a demand for high-level skills and education are driving the new trend.

The report is based on detailed discussions from The Conference Board Council on Workforce Diversity, with representatives and contributions from seven other diversity and inclusion councils both inside and outside the U.S. The discussions make it clear that these executives are facing growing demands to meet higher corporate expectations than ever before.

"The emphasis has progressed from valuing gender and racial differences, which was largely achieved through awareness training, multi-cultural celebrations and employee groups, to strategic and often global business planning and growth," says Toni Riccardi, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer of The Conference Board. "The focus is on how these executives can help their companies capture new markets, build effective global teams, and manage their companies' brand reputations. Companies are increasingly seeking the expertise of their diversity executives as they enter new markets, build profitable relationships, and develop credibility across different cultures."

A lack of clear definitions regarding both the role and responsibility of diversity and inclusion executives may be causing many firms to under-value these executives. The report pinpoints five key trends behind changing expectations for this corporate position (globalization, demographic shifts, technology, legal environment and the socio-political climate) and provides a set of measurable executive competencies companies can utilize to maximize the impact of this important business function in overall corporate growth strategies.

A Competency Model for Diversity and Inclusion Practitioners

The report provides a competency model (outlined below), which covers seven major areas, including: change management; diversity, inclusion and global perspective; business acumen; strategic external relations; integrity; visionary and strategic leadership; and HR disciplines. The report provides further discussion and analysis within each category.

1. Change Management
Organizational Development; Corporate Communications; Critical Interventions

2. Diversity, Inclusion and Global Perspective
Cultural Competence
Negotiation and Facilitation
Continuous Learning
Complex Group Dynamics
Judgment
Subject Matter Expertise

3. Business Acumen
External Market Knowledge; Holistic Business Knowledge; Diversity and Inclusion Return on Investment

4. Strategic External Relations
Corporate Social Responsibility / Government / Regulatory
Strategic Alliances
Diverse Markets / Supplier Diversity
Brand / Reputation Management

5. Integrity
Ethics; Resilience; Influence; Empathy; Communication

6. Visionary and Strategic Leadership
Diversity and Inclusion Future State
Pragmatism
Political skills (at HQ and local levels)

7. HR Disciplines
Total Rewards / Talent Management / Organizational Development / Work and Life Balance / Training
Compliance
Employee Relations

To be effective, these competencies should be integrated into a company's business metrics, notes the report. Organizations should be asking the question: how can this person use this competency to strengthen the business? Or, what does this person need to achieve to further our organizational goals? Says Riccardi: "The 21st Century diversity and inclusion practitioner, embracing a more public, strategic role, requires a complex challenging new set of competencies."

Source: Creating a Competency Model for Diversity and Inclusion Practitioners
Report No. 1420 The Conference Board

Read this report

Code Words: Taking Us Back to Places Left Long Ago

If a nuclear weapon is discharged accidentally, a nation can't just call a press conference to say."Oops,  that was unfortunate. We certainly hope it won't ever happen again." 

One might expect to hear a call for disarmament.

Explosive words and imflammatory statements that cause injury likewise must be disarmed. Atonement is appropriate but the injured party needs assurance that whatever caused the problem has been fixed.

In Philadelphia, former Mayor John Street jumped into the political soup a few years ago for telling a gathering:"The brothers and sisters are running this city."  As Philly calls itself the City of Brotherly Love, one should not be surprised to hear the good brothers and fine sisters would be running the city.So, our first response might be "Isn't that special!" 

To identify code words, one needs to read the cultural clues, and then put the statement into the appropriate context. When John Street, an African American mayor, utters those words before the NAACP, the statement takes on very different meaning.  African Americans, you see, frequently refer to each other as "brothers and sisters." So what Mayor Street was saying "Black people make the decisions here." 

That message didn't go over well in the white community, which is savvy enough to tell a code word from a "let's all get along and hold hands" speech..

Code words are making a comeback. They are winding their way into the presidential campaign.  Voters use phrases like  "He is not like us." or "She wouldn't understand me." Might be sincere assessments, might be code words for racism and sexism. Hard to tell unless we examine each case. We need to collect all the facts before we charge anyone with a cultural crime. 

Hillary Clinton has taken a lot of heat for her recent remarks mentioning 1968 and the assassination of Robert Kennedy. To her credit, she apologized quickly saying she only intended to make a historical reference.  If we accept her explanation, we must then consider that she failed to understand the cultural context or see the potential for outrage. Very alarming, considering that she would be taking that phone call about Iran at 4 a.m.in the White House. Iran, I suspect, may not be as willing to forgive innocent cultural mistakes as we are.

And what about Bill O'Reilly, a man who makes millions as a communicator. He said he would not want to go on a lynching party seeking Michelle Obama without evidence. Umm, so lynching, which is mob action  without a jury or trial, is OK as long as the group first fiinds the proof that meets its standards? Doesn't seem very democratic to me, Bill. Questionable choice of words for someone who loves liberty as much as you say you do..

Let's ask the media and the candidates to be more careful with their choice of words. The right words can lead us down a path to peace; the wrong words can lead us to the brink of terrorism.

 We can't move forward until we leave the past behind..

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A Crisis of Faith

The Associated Press reports that Republican Sen. John McCain has rejected endorsements from two influential but controversial televangelists, saying there is no place for their incendiary criticisms of other faiths.

 

McCain rejected the endorsements of Texas preacher John Hagee and Rod Parsley an Ohio preacher.  In Hagee's case,  an audio recording surfaced in which the preacher said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land. McCain called the comment "crazy and unacceptable," AP said. McCain broke with Parsley because of his criticism of Islam. He characterized it as a religion that "was inherently violent."

 

Sad to think that the reputations of good men are being called into question because of their association with men of faith. As you recall, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama recently severed his relationship with his minister, Rev.  Jeremiah Wright.  Tapes, widely played on the Internet, showed Wright criticizing the United States of America, stating, in one instance, "God damn America."

 

We expect to be judged by the company we keep. However, the fact that politicians now have to search the backgrounds of ministers before associating with them is an indicator that we are in the midst of a crisis.

 

Don't despair. There's no lack of civil leadersship today. It just seems that way sometimes because some folks have discovered that cultural divisions can be profitable (for them, not us). 

 

The folks we ought to be honoring, and following, are those who toil in obscurity feeding the hungry, training the unemployed; building housing; helping ex-offenders find jobs and second chances, and working to bridge religious and racial fault lines.

 

As they are busy reinventing lives, they can't always find the time to be on  TV, or do book tours, or do daily interviews with political pundits. 

 

The true measure of a good rabbi, minister or Imam is not how well-known they are. Rather it is how closely their daily actions and words reflect the tenets of their faith. Do they walk their talk, or just talk the talk?

 

The very best of them deliver the tough messages we hate to hear, not words that make us feel superior or righteous. True devotion, you see, is what separates life's masterpieces from the look alikes.

 

Some religious leaders in our community live their faith.  Others like to talk about it.

 

 Question is, are enough of us investing our money with the right group?

 

 

 

In Houston, A Bad Case of Diversity Fatigue

Cultural audits are painless exercises that help expose our secret racial, religious, and gender biases. These are the pesky little beliefs that make us feel afraid, angry, or helpless when communicating with folks who are different.

Everyone has hidden biases and/or preferences,which often are triggered by stress.

Only the brave are willing to peer into the dark closets where they hide. Once that door is open, individuals have the potential for great power. Gates that formerly were locked will open effortlessly. Possibilities hound you all day long. People you long to know walk into your life unexpectedly.Cultural conflicts that seemed insurmountable are easily resolved.

Gimme a break," some of you say. That hasn't happened to me. Could it be that your biases remain hidden? If you don't do the work, you won't get the perks.

 This morning's Houston Chronicle has an interesting story that brings the need for cultural audits to mind.

 Bill Murphy reported that the Justice Department had offered to mediate a dispute between minority groups and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. The two sides can't agree on what an inclusive Rodeo might look like.

 Minority group leaders say the Rodeo needs more minorities in high-ranking positions, doesn't give scholarships to non citizens in the country legally and has stopped featuring Tejano performers on its main stages.

As Murphy reports,the other side has a different angle.

 "The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo does not believe mediation is needed because it promotes diversity and does not engage in discrimination, said chief operating officer Leroy Shafer told Murphy. ."At this point, we see no need to have a Justice Department mediator involved in this," he said. "We've heard (the minority groups') issues. We think they are all pointless."

Ouch! Sounds like a case of diversity fatigue to me.

The Cultural Coach would like to gently scold these leaders for showing Houston's children how to have conversations that don't work. The children are watching you, dear, gentlemen and ladies. These tactics are harmful because it models ineffective conflict resolution tactics!.

So take a break. Go off to your corners and gripe a bit. Then come back together and hold a listening session. Each side gets to talk for 30 minutes without taking questions or comments from the other group. While one group speaks,the other has to listen and take notes. Then each side gets the opportunity to recite back their opponent's key points and explain why they are important.

 In other words, you have to argue your opponent's position.  It is a skill we must learn if we are to unify diverse communities. 

 For the sake of the children, do a lot more listening, and a lot less talking. They need to know that nonviolence is the better way.

Dutch Bishop Proposes That All Faiths Refer to God as "Allah"

  A Roman Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands with very good intentions is promoting a very bad idea.

Bishop Tiny Muskens told Dutch television this week that people of all faiths should refer to God as Allah to promote racial tolerance and foster understanding with Muslims. "Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? ... What does God care what we call him? It is our problem," he said.

A magnificent sentiment! God probably does not care what humans call him or what language they use.  Human beings, however, are far less forgiving, loving, and tolerant. We wear cultural shades as we walk along through life, magnifying differences in language, culture, clothing, and religion.

Similarities, shared beliefs and values can connect us to the human family while differences can make us feel as though we stand alone or we are under siege. The labels help us size up the players in the game. But they are like scarves and ties in a wardrobe; accent pieces that add flair but little substance.

Suppose we asked our North American neighbors to stop making reference to their nationality, as that creates tensions and fault lines. We would no longer be Mexicans, citizens of the United States or Canadians - only North Americans. Fine, in theory, but it is not likely to work.

Even though we might call ourselves Americans, governments still are going to jockey for position with trade agreements, border controls, job protection, and climate changes. While new labels may promote harmony, they sidestep the larger issues: national and personal self-interest.

 Might we work instead to get nations and individuals to embrace values that protect the home front while fostering health, peace and prosperity abroad? That strategy requires far more than good will toward men. We may have to give up our big cars; share our drugs with the less fortunate; update the academic curricula to mbrace the world community and monitor our corporations to prevent global fallouts like the kind we've seen in the mortgage markets.

Unfortunately, there are no drive-by windows where we can pick up solutions to the global diversity problem. Relationships will never improve if we focus on getting rid of labels like "God" rather than on creating  community-centric cultures and values.

I have no problem referring to God as "Allah" while in an Islamic culture or community.Nor do I have difficulty asking  Muslims to extend to Christians the courtesies they might expect.  

The Bishop has a warm heart but he is overlooking the fact we are biased human beings.. 

We can't lift up any group by lowering our expectations of them.  That strategy simply confirms for detractors that the "outsiders"   are inferior. 

 

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Should He Say That? A Local Judge's Courtroom Comments Irk Police

Suppose there was a robbery and nobody used a gun.  That might strike us as a bit odd.  A dim ray of light among the dark force of crime. But it is right to extend our congratulations to these robbery suspects?

According to a report by the Philadelphia Daily News,that is  precisely what happened in a city courtroom.  Members of the Fraternal Order of Police are understandably dismayed by comments that have been  attributed to Municipal Court Judge Naario Jimenez.  "If you are going to commit a robbery, this is the way to do it, without a gun. Let's give credit where credit is due," he is reported by observersto have said.

What's wrong with that statement?  Well, it shows just how little we expect from our neighbors. We should not celebrate that they leave their guns at home when they go on a crime spree. Instead, we should be clear that we expect them to find a skill; get an education, and earn peace of mind and prosperity.  (And each of us needs to work on our filters so we can ensure that actually happens for them. We are part of their problem)

Low expectations are like weeds growing wild in our community gardens. If we don't expect minority children to succeed then we don't feel guilty about underfunding their schools. If we don't expect individuals to be culturally competent,we can avoid difficult conversations and work only within our comfort zones. If minority workers don't expect the workplace to be fair they can feel justified when they seek employment on the streets. If police and intelligence officers aren't expected to be culturally competent, then citizens can justify their decision not to help them.

Low expectations lead us to make poor decisions.

I expect alot of me and you. I propose we join hands and expect more from those who earn a living by robbing stores.

911 Operator Tells Black Woman: "I Really Just Don't Give A Sh*T What Happens to You"

First, we have the Philly DJ Kidd Chris who felt it was appropriate to laugh as a listener sang a song degrading African Americans.  Then comes word of the 911 Operator from Nashville who is heard on a tape telling a  woman, "I don't give a SH*T what happens to you."

Rather than complain about the folks getting it wrong, let's talk about workforce solutions. I would love to hear from the teachers and educators.  What must we do to prepare our workers to succeed in a multicultural world? Who's willing to step up and accept responsibility: parents, teachers, managers, CEOs, educators, the media? Anyone?

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THE DETAILS:

Despite repeated calls to Metro Nashville's 911 over a three-hour stretch about an ex-boyfriend who'd assaulted her and was threatening to come back,help never arrived for Sheila Jones. She wondered if her skin color was to blame. 

Sheila to 911:"They ain't sent nobody. I just don't understand. Is it 'cause I'm black? Is it 'cause of the neighborhood. What is it?"

Read the 911 response, and the tough questions asked by Phil Williams of News Channel 5 in Nashville.

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Cultural IQ Discussion Board:

Has Barack Obama's success on the campaign trail sparked a backlash? Will the African American community be forced to pay a price for his success? Cultural IQ wants to hear what you think!

Will the groups and individuals who foster hate simply sit on the sidelines during the election or will they try to divide us? How do we send back the message: "We are a united America. If you hurt my neighbor, you must deal with me."

Philadelphia DJ Fired for Playing Racist Song

American workers need cultural competencies to maintain productive and competitive workplaces.

========================================================================================= A tiny band of young people did a remarkable thing last week.  They saw an injustice, and demanded a remedy - all outside of the glare of the TV lights and cameras. We may not know their names but we are in their debt, just the same.

You see, mid-week, I received an email from Renita Burns in Philadelphia.She informed me of a song that had been played on WYSP's Kidd Chris show.  By the time I got to You Tube, where a whistle blower had posted a link,  CBS Radio already had pulled it. They own WYSP.

However, the email I received roughly transcribed most of the words, The song really doesn't require any comment. It's the type of stuff one might expect to hear at a KKK meeting. We should not be surprised this happened in PA, a state that has 33 hate groups. - more than either Alabama or Mississippi.

  Here are the words to the "song" that cost two men hefty paychecks:

"\"Coloreds steal your wallets.  And coloreds have pink feet. Coloreds are loud and obnoxious when they watch movies. Sticky fingers what they are. Always try to jack my car. Schwoogies.  Or shines, you can call them anything you like. Schwoogies. Watch out, jigs will rob you day or night. Schwoogies. Mookie doesn\'t like to work. Just rolls blunts all day long. But there\'s one job he can do: hold a lantern on my lawn. If someone else has your watch on, you can bet its a mulignon. Shwoogies all around. The sambos, monkeys, knuckle draggers, so much brown, mandinko, Mr Bojangles. I have no problem singing about the negros.\"

Apparently an employee at the radio station furnished the links and clips to outsiders, who then waged a successful email campaign to get the DJ fired. Yesterday, the Philadelphia Daily News broke the story:

" 94 WYSP morning host Kidd Chris was fired yesterday over a racist song performed by an in-studio guest in March and aired several more times that month, " the newspaper stated. "WYSP program director John Cook also has lost his job over the internal fallout from the song "Schwoogies," sung to the tune of Blondie's "Call Me," performed on March 21 by Lady Gash."We found the song to be highly offensive and completely inappropriate for broadcast on our airwaves," CBS Radio spokeswoman Karen Mateo told us yesterday. "When senior management of the station learned that it had been played, they took immediate steps to prevent it from ever appearing on the station again."At th same time, we launched an extensive internal investigation into the situation including a thorough review of the editorial controls and systems we have in place to prevent this type of content from airing. We instituted additional educational training for the station, and have taken appropriate disciplinary action, including termination of the individuals involved."

In situations such as these, public sentiment often is divided.  Conservatives see these incidents as an infringement on their civil liberties while liberals see them as evidence that racism and hate is alive and well.

Those conversations really miss the mark. We can't stop people from being racist but we should not allow them to bring that hatred into the workplace. There are larger questions that need our attention. What controls are in place to protect workers and ensure inclusion? Are American employees prepared to live and work in a global village? If media and entertainers can't gauge what's appropriate at home, how can they successfully sell in world markets? Could cultural competency help us to narrow the trade deficit and stabilize the dollar?

As is so often the case, this is a business problem but every time we pull the threads - all we see are the racial blends. If we keep shining the spotlight on race -- rather than on cultural intelligence - we will never create work environments that allow everyone to shine.

Evangelicals: Taking the Road Less Traveled Leads to Higher Ground

 The Evangelical Manifesto, which is in some ways a movement to restore faith in religious life, has built a special room for diversity.

The Manifesto is an affirmation of faith, and a guide to religious beliefs and values. It seeks a return to the middle ground - and a safer distance from the liberal and conservative extremists.

"First, we repudiate two equal and opposite errors into which many Christians have fallen. One error is to privatize faith, applying it to the personal and spiritual realm only. Such dualism falsely divorces the spiritual from the secular and causes faith to lose its integrity. The other error, made by both the religious left and the religious right, is to politicize faith, using faith to express essentially political points that have lost touch with biblical truth. That way faith loses its independence, Christians become the “useful idiots” for one political party or another, and the Christian faith becomes an ideology. Christian beliefs become the weapons of political factions." the document states.

It goes on to make an appeal for religious diversity and to stand against the notion of handing out any privileges to members of the larger religious groups. "We are committed to religious liberty for people of all faiths, " the Manifesto states. "We are firmly opposed to theocracy. And we have no desire to coerce anyone or to impose beliefs and behavior on anyone. We believe in persuasion. On the other side, we repudiate the partisans of a naked public square, those who would make all religious expression inviolably private and keep the public square inviolably secular. This position is even less just and workable because it excludes the overwhelming majority of citizens, who are still profoundly religious. Nothing is more illiberal than to invite people into the public square but insist that they be stripped of the faith that makes them who they are."

No one should be harassed for demonstrating their faith in public -- whether it be handing out Bibles on a street corner, wearing at kippah, or using a veil to hide the face. If we want to say, "God, bless you," when somebody sneezes at work, it shouldn't be a federal case."  Culturally competent people accept differences and see conflict as a manageable process, not as an attack on unity.

A person's faith often is a part of their makeup and inner beauty. It can't be scrubbed off each time they walk outside. (Neither can one's ethnicity or sexual orientation. ) To understand individuals, we must be willing to understand who they are.

  Evangelicals who signed this Manifesto seek reforms that will move the faith community back to the political center where individuals seek civil society and calm dialogs. These visionaries see the same dangers ahead for the faith communities that I see for the diversity movement.

You see, it doesn't matter whether our passion is multiculturalism or faith. When we push folks around and use them for target practice, eventually they are going to turn on us. Diversity pundits have coined a name for it: Diversity fatigue. This same fatigue is infecting the faith community, the Manifesto notes. Danger ahead!

"We are concerned that a generation of culture warring, reinforced by understandable reactions to religious extremism around the world, has created a powerful backlash against all religion in public life among many educated people. If this hardens into something like the European animosity toward religion in public life, the result would be disastrous for the American republic and would severely constrict liberty for people of all faiths, " the Manifesto warns. "The striking intolerance shown by the new atheists is a warning sign.We call on all citizens of goodwill and believers of all faiths and none to join us in working for a civil public square and the restoration of a tough-minded civility that is in the interests of all."

The Evangelicals Manifesto is a blueprint for civility and a call for civil competency. Words are a form of currency in the global village.  Use them wisely and don't dare invest until you have a strategy to take you where you wish to go.