Post date: Mar 29, 2011 11:11:00 AM
Once you use a distinguishing characteristic to separate a group or yourself from others it is no longer diversity. While often a powerful motivator for small groups, a narrow set of characteristics used to emphasize uniqueness becomes a weapon of significant strength. Prior to doing this a unique characteristic can be used to allow additional differences and is welcoming and accepting; after this it becomes a hard-edged tool which will initially challenge and prod the members of the group but will eventually become a cudgel to wave about, further separating the group from others even to the point of negatively distinguishing those not of the group.