1 definition by CynicalSuburbanite
The word "diversity” is often a subtle, insidious and racist term used to mask a condescending, self-serving ego trip amongst white people. When a white person says, “I want to move to a neighborhood where there is more diversity” or “I don’t like living in the suburbs. It’s not diverse enough,” one must examine the motivations behind those statements. When considering a place to live one must take numerous factors into account – safety, school quality, home values or rental prices, availability of services, parking, commuting distances, noise levels, etc. If you find a place that meets the above criteria and that neighborhood happens to be diverse – then so be it. NOT moving into that neighborhood because it contains people of differing races and creeds would be racist and intolerant. But making diversity the primary reason for moving into a neighborhood is a racist conceit. In this case the desire for “diversity” is an ego trip for said white person because their conscious or unconscious motivation is “Look at me! I’m so evolved and cool I can live with people of different races and cultures.” This attitude causes the gentrification of ethnic neighborhoods where poorer “diverse” people are forced out because they can no longer afford living there. If white people were to put their money where their mouths were they’d be moving into the Bronx in droves. But they’re not. They might be able to embrace racial differences – just not economic ones.
“I have to move to Brooklyn! They have cool coffee shops and the area is so full of diversity!”
Translation: "I have to move to Brooklyn. It’s full of gays and little brown people! I’ll look so cool!
Translation: "I have to move to Brooklyn. It’s full of gays and little brown people! I’ll look so cool!
by CynicalSuburbanite October 21, 2010