Pravin Navekar

By: Pravin Navekar

I am Equality/Diversity consultant for over 18 years. It's interesting that this debate is happening now as these terms were used back in the early 80's in training sessions. the terms used were coconut and bounty bar, and it meant you have sold out your identity in preference for white culture. This term is had became very negative as it did not allow people to evolve and adapt to changing times and also generational change. I would love to have discussion on this, because in the 80s and 90s it isolate a lot of Asian people how were wanting to live and compete with white people here. you have to allow people to be comfortable with how they want to be.

The definition of Diversity is - THE QUALITY OF BEING DIFFERENT OR VARIED. That's what we should value.

I also think you need to be clear what you mean by Culture, Race, Nationality, Ethnicity, Ethnic Origin all of these are linked but also mean different things. They all go to defining the individual. Using me as an example.

Born in East Africa

Parents Indian - Ethnic Origin - (Indian)

Nationality - British

Ethnicity - Indian (how you define your self)

Race - Indian (Based on colour and Genetic ancestry)

Culture - This is not something you can not pin down as it is always changing.