Typically, we associate diversity with the inclusion of the historically underrepresented: by gender, by sexual orientation, by race, by ethnicity, by religion.
And as we know, when it comes to diversity, Hillsborough County has not exactly earned a reputation as a beacon of inclusion. But times, as we also know, are evolving. In fact, the Hillsborough County Commission, which still looks askance at the prospect of a county domestic partner registry, did sign off on the proclamation saluting GaYbor Days.
But diversity can also have brutally ironic aspects. Exhibit A: the possibility of adding Terry Kemple to the county’s new diversity advisory council. His name will be prominently in the mix when the county commission meets next month to finally appoint the 22 members.
The diversity that Kemple would bring is his European ancestry and Christian conservatism. On paper, that’s qualification enough given the traditionally diverse spectrum of other would-be appointees. And even though his activism often incorporates grandstanding and inflammatory comments, it would be a good-faith gesture of walking-the-tolerance-walk to include him on the council. It’s called being bigger than the small-minded.
Having said that, however, this is not about a paper appointment and ideals in the abstract. It’s about well-intentioned people of diverse backgrounds and good will finding common cause. It’s incompatible and counterproductive to accord a sanctioned, public forum to the intolerant. In addition to a track record of intolerance, Kemple is on record to his right wing groupies for recently questioning the council’s raison d’être as well as speculating that it’s probably “code for some effort to forward the homosexual agenda.”
No, the diversity council, if it wants to be taken seriously and accomplish some societal good, doesn’t need to risk becoming another pander forum for the agenda-driven Kemple circus.