Theories of
Difference
Making a difference with
Simultaneity
EVANGELINA HOLVINO, Ed.D.
© 2005 CHAOS MANAGEMENT, LTD.
What’s In A Name?
Complicating Identity
From Uncle Tom’s Cabin
My name is
Other spelling variations,
but my family is the only
“Holvino” on the Island
Evangelina
Holvino
From the
Spanish
Moors?!
NOT
Evangeline
Evangelist
Eva
Angelina
Ivonne
Evangelino
(That would
make me male)
No, you do
not hear the
H in Spanish!
What’s In A Place?
Complicating Identity
I am from Puerto Rico
No.
I’m also from
Vermont
Why not
Puerto Rican?
In the
USA
Lived there
For the past
22 years
Not
from New York
Complicated
political
relation
Really!
But…
where
are you
from?
(But, a P.R.
in Vermont?)
My accent
you mean?
Not poor
Not uneducated
Not the
stereotype
“Between”
Latin America
& U.S.A.
Dominant Models
of Identity
TREAT DIFFERENCES AS
•
•
•
•
Essential
Innate
Fixed
Independent and additive variables
The “equality vs. differences” dilemma
Example:
Dominant Models
SOCIAL IDENTITY GROUPS
Religion
Ethnicity
Physical
Ability
Race
Gender
Sexual
Orientation
Age
Class
1992: Bailey Jackson, Ed.D.; New Perspectives, Inc.; Amherst, MA.
Mental
Ability
Example:
Dominant Models
IDENTITY
WHEEL
Heritage
Firm
Regional
Location
Language/
Accent
Work
Style
Age
Social
Class
Gender
Race
Ethnic
Heritage
Economic
Status
Learning
Style
Education
Mental/Physical
Abilities &
Leadership Characteristics
Style
Family
Status
Religion
Sexual
Orientation
Work
Experience
Communication
Style
Organizational
Role and Level
1996. Marilyn Loden , Implementing Diversity. Irwin Professional Publishing.
A Matter of Context
“Bature! Bature”
After years of
identifying myself
as “of color” in the
United States, to
the Nigerian
children I was
white.
An Alternative:
Postcolonial Feminist Models
TREAT DIFFERENCES AS
•
•
•
•
•
Relational
Socially constructed
Subjective identity
Power relations
Interdependent
Historically specific and changeable
relations
Example:
Postcolonial Feminist Model
INTERSECTIONALITY
G
R
E
C
1992: Bell & Nkomo.
The Invitation:
A Proposal
• View identity as multiple, contradictory,
situational, relational
• Re-conceptualize race, ethnicity, gender,
class, nationality, sexuality …
… as simultaneous processes of identity,
institutional, and social practice
The Complexity of
Simultaneity
THE PROBLEM IS …
Theoretical
•
How to conceptualize identity as simultaneity of:
Race
Class
Gender
Nationality
Ethnicity
Sexuality
Practical
•
How to apply simultaneity in organizational change?
Simultaneity
Nationality
Sexuality
Class
Gender
Ethnicity
Race
Practical Interventions
• Surfacing the hidden stories at the
intersection
• Identifying and changing differential
impact of organizational practices
• Linking organizational processes to
social (societal) processes
A Case Study:
Goals of WOCG
• Drive change for WOC at X to reach their
potential - advancement, retention,
development
• Support WOC’s professional development
• Promote awareness of WOC’s unique
challenges
• Recognize company as “best” for WOC
A Case Study:
Activities & Accomplishments
• Coaching, feedback, support, advice
• Exercising leadership
• Meetings with senior management
• Bringing visibility to WOC and their issues
• Tracking successes, assessing
environment, responding strategically
A Case Study:
The Challenges
• Leading and organizing WOCG
• Keeping momentum and delivering
• Securing committed sponsors
• Involving/impacting LOBs and mid-level
managers
• Communicating accomplishments
• Surviving organizational changes
A Case Study:
Simultaneity Issues?
• What is the “value-added” of WOCG?
• WOCG potentially divisive?
• Have they accomplished enough?
• Is dual agenda of driving change and
developing WOC appropriate?
A Case Study:
Recommendations
• Re-affirm mission and prioritize goals:
• Key events for members
• More involvement by senior sponsors
• Develop and track indicators of change
• “Push” execution of action plans and
leadership to regions
• Communicate achievements
Lessons Learned:
Practice of Simultaneity
•
•
•
•
•
•
Share quantitative and qualitative data
Establish strong links to senior management
Celebrate successes; publicize
accomplishments
Select top performers to lead
Work differences among WOC
Create flexible, effective internal structures
Lessons Learned:
Theory of Simultaneity
• Different experience and standpoints
• Different structural situation
• Challenge the discourse of diversity
• Embody complexity and simultaneity
within and without
Challenges of Simultaneity:
Concluding Questions
• How to influence the field with more
complex models?
• How to communicate with organizational
members?
• What would it mean for other groups/you
to embrace simultaneity?
Thank you
DR. EVANGELINA HOLVINO
CHAOS MANAGEMENT, LTD.
178 Meetinghouse Lane
BRATTLEBORO, VT 05301
802.257.5218
holvino@chaosmanagement.com
www.chaosmanagement.com
Dr. Holvino is also Affiliate Faculty
Center for Gender in Organizations, Simmons College,
Boston, Massachusetts
www.simmons.edu/som/cgo