Washington DC is often touted as the location of great minds and great change for the United States. Therefore, one of the topics I often see highlighted on Capitol Hill consists of diversity, or the lack thereof.

The topic of diversity is a very subjective topic for me due to the fact that I am recognized as a ‘Latina’ female in the United States, not just a regular red, white and blue lovin’ ‘Merican’. (That’s just the Texan in me.) Thus my perspective on the topic completely lacks objectivity in every form or manner due to my personal background regarding ‘diversity’.

Often when briefings on Capitol Hill occur, as they do frequently, I come with a negatively preconceived notion of what to expect. Sadly, I can say that my preconceived notions are often correct.

The most constant preconceived notion I expect and have regularly observed is the composition of the panel discussion speakers. Briefings regarding the necessity of diversity in Washington DC tend to have a panel board of three to five persons who speak on a given topic. Hilarity ensues (in my opinion) when all the panelists on a diversity briefing consists of only Caucasian persons. This was the very case in my most recent briefing, “Startups Diversifying Tech” consisting of two Caucasian females and one male Caucasian.

In my subjective mindset, having an all Caucasian panel discuss the necessity of diversification without the one inclusion of any other group representation including Asians, African Americans, Eastern Europeans, Middle Easterners or Latinos, is an absolute farce! It would be similar to have a briefing regarding the Holocaust and having absolutely no Jewish panelists present. Or the discussion of Colonization effects on Africa with no Africans present, only British speakers.

Absolutely ridiculous.
I will now step off my soapbox.

However, in reflection the one thing I continue to note in this town is how cheap talk is. I am reminded every day in the form of these so called “diversification briefs”.

DC Life.