EQUALITY IN CRISIS

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/29/trevor-phillips-equality

The above article details the recent wave of high-level resignations at the Equality & Human Rights Commission. This is a body set up to enforce equalities legislation in this country and is now itself in crisis, in some cases because of unfairness and inequality.

In Britain, the issue of race will not go away unless Britain addresses its deep cultural 'will to power'. There is a strong desire for people to have power over others and control them so that they themselves can rule the roost. As long as this cultural trait prevails, there is very little chance for ethnic minorities to progress, except in very competitive commercial organisations or in their own 'ghetto' businesses and bodies. And paradoxically, most ethnic minorities are not after power - in fact, in their cultures, power is seen in a very different way. In my own culture, power is not over others, but it is sought to overcome one's own inner vices and greed. This is the key to lasting freedom and happiness, not the temporary and fragile power over others.

Diverse Ethics can help guide leaders in organisations to overcome this will to power. In fact we are already successful in doing so with some significant national organisations. However, we can only do so if the leaders make a determined effort to re-create an organisational culture toward sustainable values and ethics. We can draw on differing ancient wisdoms on power to show how its fears and insecurities can be overcome to create a new dawn for the individual and the organisation.