Dexter McCloud responds to comments on Diversity Committee
Dexter McCloud
Dexter continued in his email to me:
First, this committee is comprised entirely of volunteers. The newsletter and all other activities by this committee, to date, have not cost USATF or the membership any money. This has all been the result of the hard work put in by those people whose pictures are posted on the diversity web site.
Second, based on a number of comments, it’s clear that many of us think diversity deals with color only. Our objectives are much broader than that – the Diversity Committee’s aims are to insure EQUALITY OF REPRESENTATION within USA Track & Field. Diversity is not just about the amount of color we see, or don’t see, in our organization. It also deals with:
1. age (i.e. MASTERS)
2. leadership representation – “when I look at the leaders with USATF, do they look like me?”
3. leadership development – “how can I develop my skills?” “How can I become a leader?”
4. Gender and color equity
5. Disabled athletes
Third, the role of the Diversity Committee is to provide policy advice to the USATF Board — to be the voice of the people. To insure that there is transparency and thoughtfulness with regard to hiring practices, program development and strategic planning.
Finally, with regard to this quarter’s edition of the Diversity Newsletter — last month was National Hispanic Month. We felt it important that we recognize the people having Hispanic heritage. During our research, we tried to find as many Hispanics as were available to us for their well-deserved recognition. If there were any oversights or omissions, it is simply because we could not find the information (or we did not receive the information in time for publication). If you know of anyone who should have been recognized in the newsletter, please contact me via my email address and we will recognize them in the next issue.
I hope I was able to shed some light on some of the issues raised in the blog. If there’s anyone who has concerns, they may contact me at the email address below.
Dexter McCloud
Committee on Diversity and Leadership Development
USA Track & Field
15 Responses
One of my favorite movies: Running Brave.
How about Native Americans? Has there ever been a Native American Masters T &F meet?
I wonder if there is something more USATF can do to encourage Native American participation.
Dexter…nothing more than gibberish. How about the best person for the position ???
I always believe the best person for the position should ALWAYS be put in that position. And I also believe that I, (Nolan Shaheed) should be the only one to decide who indeed is the best person.
The best person must be Black, 5’9, 125 pounds, run the middle distances, speak with a lisp, and look like ME,(Nolan Shaheed).
Unfortunately, Dexter and his gibberish committee have in paragraph
1. something about Masters. and in
2. something about Leadership Representation which may mean trying to get more old people in positions of authority, but I believe it’s a trick perpetrated to keep ME,(Nolan Shaheed) down.
can we all just get along
“Who’s your daddy” – Can we get along indeed…..
No one has said that the best person for the position would not be considered.
You might find this hard to believe but there was a time when the “best person” might have been of a different ethnicity or color and was passed over. There was a time when the “best person” person might have been considered too old and subsequently passed over. There was a time when the “best person” might have been disabled and passed over.
I can go on and on but, the point is – Responsible diversity simply asks that no one be EXCLUDED while searching for the best person.
Well put; Nolan.
Nolan 5’9″ 125?! Geez maybe if I lose 20lbs my 800 time will come down too.
I was 125 about 23 years ago and it took me years to build up some muscle on my diminutive frame. I was at least 5’9 ¼” at the time, but lately I have noticed that I really have to stand up straight with shoulders back and head high to hit 5’9” these days; I must be starting to shrink!
Well maybe I can lose 5lbs by next years Worlds- that should be worth a second over two laps.
Yeah, my dimensions are the only thing on my response that wasn’t sarcasm. I actually applaud the Committee on Diversity and Leadership Development and feel Dexter will do a great job in getting the Masters voice heard to the USATF board.
We (Masters) are considered a minority in track and field but in actuality, we represent the majority because when we go out to compete, we bring wives, children, grandchildren, go sightseeing,
spend money on fine restaurants and hotels, but we are never represented properly so I say, give the Committee on Diversity and Leadership Development a chance to see if they can make a difference for us.
What we need is a Marketing Committee and a publicist not a Committee on Diversity.
Amen, Kathy!
Dexter I thought your comments and explanation were helpful and, with new understanding, would say that I support said committee. Thanks.
I am wondering when the committee finds the time to volunteer?! I know several of the members(if not all) have families and careers. I respect and appreciate people that take the time to volunteer when the extrinsic rewards are minimal, which is usually the case in Masters Track and Field.
Kathy is right…more marketing and publicity to attract corporate sponsors, which actually might result in a more diverse representation of US Masters in international meets. As long as competitors have to foot the entire bill to international meets, the US Masters team will always seem less diverse at international meets than it really is.
No. 5 disabled athletes? Special (Para) Olympics operate at a HIGH level from local to international. I know many masters volunteer with them.
I think it would be nice if we show appreciation, respect and understanding of what Dexter’s committee is doing. We are all part of the same family. Most of these comments don’t represent, I hope, how Masters value diversity.
Thank You Dexter and your committe for what you do.
Namaste, George
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