Diversify: A fierce, accessible, empowering guide to why a more open society means a more successful one

How many of us question our beliefs and the way we see the world, and whether or not these beliefs prevent us from being the best we can be? Are these beliefs even our own, or have they been passed down to us by our parents and our surroundings? Are they logical? And, most importantly, do they best serve us, society, and humanity? How often do we ask ourselves, ‘Should I hold these beliefs? If not, do I want to do anything about it?’ These questions are much deeper than surface prejudices – they go to the core of the way we think.

Having said that, isms are a two-way street, and the responsibility for change does not solely lie at the door of the instigator. Isms require both parties to subscribe to the stereotype. It takes one party to apply the label, but it can only hold relevance if the other side accepts the label. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.’

Recognizing half-truths and our role in perpetuating them is at the core of Degree One in the Six Degrees of Integration. Accepting our individual responsibility for stereotypes gives us the power to challenge them. So, what are your isms? Are you sexist? Are you class-ist? Do you have a race-ism? A gay-ism? The Ism Questionnaire below has been put together by the Centre for Social Investigation at Nuffield College, Oxford, to get to the heart of your beliefs.

So take five minutes to reflect – and be honest in how you answer the questions, no matter how uncomfortable or embarrassing it may be. Only by identifying our prejudices can we confront them. If you turn to page 381 you’ll see that, whatever your view, you are not alone. Absolute honesty is the only way to begin the process of change.

The Ism Questionnaire

Attitudes towards other political views

1. As far as you are concerned personally, how important is it to try to understand the reasoning of people with other opinions?

Choose a number between 1 and 7, where 1 is ‘Not at all important’ and 7 is ‘Very important’.

2. How would you feel if you had a son or daughter who married a Conservative?

Not upset at all

Somewhat upset

Very upset

Not sure

3. How would you feel if you had a son or daughter who married someone who was Labour?

Not upset at all

Somewhat upset

Very upset

Not sure

Attitudes towards ethnicity and race

4. Do you think some races or ethnic groups are born less intelligent than others?

Yes/No

5. Do you think some races or ethnic groups are born harder working than others?

Yes/No

6. Would you say that some cultures are much better than others, or that all cultures are equal?

Some cultures are much better than others

All cultures are equal

7. How much would you mind or not mind if a person from another country who is of a different race or ethnic group was appointed as your boss?

Choose a number between 0 and 10, where 0 is ‘I wouldn’t mind at all’ and 10 is ‘I would mind a lot’

8. How much would you mind or not mind if a person from another country who is of a different race or ethnic group married a close relative of yours?

Choose a number between 0 and 10, where 0 is ‘I wouldn’t mind at all’ and 10 is ‘I would mind a lot’

Attitudes towards gender, family life, and sexuality

9. All in all, family life suffers when the woman has a full-time job?

Disagree

Agree

10. A man’s job is to earn money; a woman’s job is to look after the home and family.

Disagree

Agree

11. A working mother can establish just as warm and secure a relationship with her children as a mother who does not work.

Disagree

Agree

12. One parent can bring up a child as well as two parents together.

Disagree

Agree

13. A same-sex female couple can bring up a child as well as a male-female couple.

Disagree

Agree

General ism questions

14. Do you think your opinion of people might be swayed by social class, even if in subtle ways (style of dress, way of talking)?

Yes/No

15. Would you have concerns if a girlfriend of yours starting dating a Muslim man?