Diversity - wait hear me out.

Here's my problem with discussions around employment diversity: Some people (like me) don't look at a person's skin color, gender, (dis) abilities, education, etc. We hire for the skills, experience and capability to do the job, work well with others, fit in the culture-you know real things that matter.

I understand that we may not be in the majority. I understand that there are a lot of 'idiots' out there. I understand that depending on a number of circumstances - industry, geographical location, organization size, etc. - that diversity may or may not be a bigger issue. I understand that people have had horrible experiences. I understand it's a 'white man's world', and not everyone is a white man.

But here's the thing I know about myself (and my friends): We don't care.

We don't care if you're black, white, green, purple, or plaid.

We don't care if you're a man, woman, unsure, other.

We don't care if you're a disabled or able vet.

We don't care if you have a PhD, Masters, BA, or even went to college (unless it’s Wharton).

We don't care if you went to an ivy league school, or a school of hard knocks.

We don't care what language you speak.

We don’t care what your ‘gender preference’ is – we really don’t care what you do in the privacy of your own home, amongst consenting adults.

We don't care about your social skills- unless they are crucial in the position.

We don't care if you're 3 feet or 8 feet tall.

We don't care if you use a wheelchair, cane, motorscooter or pogo stick.

We don't care what clothes you wear, if you have tattoos or piercings (although that nose ring does give me the willies).

We really don't care.

Why don’t we care? Because we’re na?ve enough to think that racism, misogyny, xenophobia – while not being eradicated – is on it’s way out. We think that people have changed, and that people don’t ‘see color’ or prejudge other people. We think we’re progressive and that we are better than those before us. Again, na?ve, wishful, optimistic, idealists. Every day that vision is challenged. But what is the option? Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor?

So what do we care about?

We care if you can do the job.

We care if we can communicate.

We care if you have a good work ethic.

We care if you care about what your product is.

We care if you want to learn more.

We care if you want to be mentored and encouraged.

We care if you show up late and leave early.

We care if you're a nice person.

We care if you are a good person.

We care if you hold the door (for anyone).

We care if you help your friends move.

We care if you say please and thank you.

We care if you go the extra mile.

We care if you tip your waiter/waitress.

We care if you smile and wave Hi.

We care if you’re smart.

We care if you want to do something different – or tell us we should do something different.

We care if you have the guts to tell us if we’re doing something wrong, instead of watching us do something wrong.

So, in conclusion. Let us live in our ideal little bubble. We know it isn’t prefect. We know there are bad people out there. We know that sometimes we can only affect our little universe, but sometimes changing our universe, or letting people in, can spread far beyond what we do today.

For those of you that hire/pay/treat people differently based on something physical...you’re an idiot. Get your head out of your @ss and grow up. It’s the year 2020. We may not have flying cars, but we don’t need bigots. Read a book for goodness sake!