Jennifer Brown and Rohit Bhargava, in their new book Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways to Build a More Inclusive World, present a compelling argument for a fundamental shift in how global societies approach diversity and inclusion (D&I). Their work challenges conventional, often siloed, D&I strategies, advocating instead for an integrated framework that emphasizes both the numerous commonalities shared by individuals and a nuanced understanding of their complex, intersecting identities. This perspective is poised to redefine the discourse, moving beyond superficial recognition of differences towards a more profound, empathetic, and ultimately, more effective model for building truly inclusive environments. The book’s introduction itself serves as a powerful illustration of this core concept, spotlighting the critical oversight in many D&I conversations that tend to segment rather than unify.
The Evolution and Current Challenges in Diversity and Inclusion
The landscape of diversity and inclusion initiatives has undergone significant evolution over recent decades. Initially, D&I efforts were largely compliance-driven, focusing on quotas and legal mandates to address historical discrimination. Over time, the understanding expanded to encompass the moral imperative of equity and the strategic business advantages of diverse workforces, including enhanced innovation, improved decision-making, and stronger financial performance. However, despite increased investment and widespread corporate adoption, many D&I programs have struggled to achieve their desired impact. A 2020 report by PwC highlighted that while 76% of organizations consider diversity and inclusion a value, only 56% felt their D&I efforts were highly effective. This discrepancy often stems from an approach that, ironically, can inadvertently emphasize divisions rather than fostering genuine belonging.
Contemporary D&I discussions frequently manifest in specialized conferences and initiatives dedicated to specific identity groups—racial justice, gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, disability advocacy, ageism, and more. While these platforms are invaluable for providing safe spaces for marginalized communities to share experiences and build solidarity, they often operate in isolation. This fragmented approach, as Brown and Bhargava argue, inadvertently reinforces a "splintered" view of humanity, where individuals are often encouraged to identify with one dimension of their identity at the expense of others. Such insular conversations, though well-intentioned, fall short of reflecting the multifaceted reality of human experience, thereby limiting the potential for broader understanding and collective action.
The Power of Shared Humanity: Lessons from "All That We Share"
Central to Brown and Bhargava’s argument is the imperative to actively seek and celebrate the commonalities that bind people together. This concept was dramatically illustrated in the viral Danish social experiment, "All That We Share," produced by TV2. Filmed on a cavernous soundstage, the experiment brought together diverse groups of individuals—those with tattoos, medical professionals, ethnically diverse groups, and all-White groups—who initially stood apart, visibly uncomfortable. The tension was palpable, a microcosm of societal divisions.
A host then began asking a series of unexpected, personal questions: "Which one of you was the class clown?" "Who are stepparents?" "Who has been bullied?" "Who has been a bully?" "Who feels lonely?" With each question, individuals from different initial groups stepped forward, finding common ground in shared life experiences. They embraced, posed for photographs together, and returned to their original clusters, but with a visibly altered demeanor—the discomfort replaced by recognition and connection. The exercise culminated in a powerful revelation for all participants: despite their apparent differences, they shared a multitude of deeply human experiences.
Released globally on YouTube, the "All That We Share" campaign quickly amassed nearly 300 million views and earned a prestigious Gold Cannes Lion award. Its profound impact underscored a rarely spotlighted irony in D&I discourse: that much of the dialogue, by focusing exclusively on what sets people apart, inadvertently misses the crucial opportunity to build bridges through shared humanity. The success of the TV2 campaign serves as a powerful testament to the universal human need for connection and the transformative potential of recognizing shared experiences.
Intersectionality: A Wide-Angle Lens on Identity
While emphasizing commonalities, the book concurrently champions the concept of intersectionality, a term first coined by American lawyer and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in 1989. Crenshaw developed the theory to explain how race, class, gender, and other individual characteristics "intersect" with one another and overlap, creating unique dynamics of discrimination and privilege. She argued that traditional anti-discrimination law and feminist theory often failed to account for the multiple forms of oppression experienced by Black women, who could not be defined by a single label but only through a combination of their social identities.
Brown and Bhargava extend this understanding, positing that none of us can be defined by a single label, but rather by a complex combination of social identities. This necessitates viewing each individual through multiple lenses, a departure from the "zoom lens" approach that focuses on one aspect of identity while ignoring the broader picture. To truly foster inclusion, they argue, society must adopt a "wide-angle lens" that acknowledges the intricate interplay of identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, disability, religion, and more.
The book highlights how a failure to embrace intersectionality leads to a significant shortcoming in the global D&I conversation. By focusing on only one aspect of identity, individuals and organizations miss crucial opportunities to understand themselves and others more holistically. For example, a woman of color faces distinct challenges that differ from those of a white woman or a man of color, because her experience is shaped by the intersection of both race and gender. Similarly, a disabled LGBTQ+ individual navigates a unique set of social barriers that cannot be fully understood by addressing disability or LGBTQ+ identity in isolation.
The Call for Intersectional Gatherings and Broader Dialogue
The authors propose a radical re-imagining of how D&I conversations are structured. Instead of siloed conferences, they envision gatherings, TV shows, and corporate programs designed to intentionally bring together people and perspectives that might otherwise never interact. Imagine the profound questions and topics that could arise from such integrated platforms:
- How would an advocate fighting to close the gender pay gap relate to a disabled gamer demanding more accessible digital experiences?
- What insights could an expert in racial literacy in schools share with a researcher studying how to eliminate age-related biases in the workplace?
- What common ground might a local business striving to expand broadband internet access for Native American reservations find with a community organizer transforming a neglected urban park into a vibrant public space?
These individuals, though pioneers in their respective fights for equity, rarely cross paths. Bringing them together under an intersectional umbrella could unlock new strategies, foster unexpected alliances, and reveal universal truths about the struggle for a more just world. It challenges the conventional wisdom that diversity issues must be tackled in separate spheres, instead advocating for a collaborative, cross-sectional approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of various forms of marginalization.
The Genesis of "Beyond Diversity": Listening as the Foundation
The inspiration for Beyond Diversity itself stemmed from an attempt to host precisely this kind of inclusive "party." In late 2020, Brown and Bhargava conceived of a one-day virtual event designed to gather a dozen or so D&I experts from a wide array of fields. This initial concept rapidly evolved, fueled by hundreds of conversations and countless hours of dedicated effort. The process underscored a critical element often overlooked in D&I initiatives: the profound importance of listening. By actively seeking out diverse perspectives and truly hearing the nuanced experiences of individuals across different identity groups, the authors laid the groundwork for a book that aims to break down the traditional barriers between diversity topics.
This commitment to listening and integrating varied viewpoints allowed them to identify the "12 Non-Obvious Ways" to build a more inclusive world, which form the core of the book’s actionable insights. It moved beyond simply inviting people to the "diversity party" and asking them to "dance," as Vernā Myers, Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, famously articulated. Brown and Bhargava’s vision extends further: to ensure everyone leaves the party with a "mixtape filled with music they would love, but had never had the chance to hear before"—a metaphor for the new insights, connections, and understandings gained from a truly intersectional and common-ground approach.
Broader Implications and a Call to Action
The framework presented in Beyond Diversity carries significant implications for various sectors. In corporate environments, adopting an intersectional approach can lead to more effective D&I strategies that address systemic issues rather than surface-level metrics. It can foster a culture where employees feel genuinely seen and valued for their whole selves, leading to increased engagement, retention, and productivity. From a societal perspective, promoting shared humanity can help bridge political and social divides, encouraging empathy and understanding across seemingly intractable differences. In education, an intersectional curriculum can prepare younger generations to navigate a complex world with greater cultural competence and compassion.
The book serves as a timely and necessary intervention in a global dialogue that, while increasingly vocal about diversity, often struggles with true inclusion. It challenges leaders, policymakers, educators, and individuals to look beyond the immediate and the obvious, to delve into the nuanced realities of identity, and to actively seek the threads of commonality that unite humanity. By advocating for a simultaneous focus on shared experiences and intersecting identities, Jennifer Brown and Rohit Bhargava offer a robust pathway to move beyond merely acknowledging diversity, towards actively constructing a world where everyone truly belongs. Their work is a vital resource for anyone committed to building a more equitable and inclusive future.
