The Value of Diversity

An article by Navarrow    View Comments

When all voices weigh in on a subject, offering their varying points of view from their unique perspectives, the end result is more powerful.  And I’m not just talking about getting a chance to speak – it’s just as important to listen, really listen, to the other side, and to be mindful of their words.
That’s why I think the FCC should carefully read one particular letter they received, the one signed by the Communications Workers of America, the Minority Media and Telecom Council, the Sierra Club, the NAACP, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the League of United Latin American Citizens, and the National Urban League.   That’s a broad range of voices, representing a broad range of people.
I can’t imagine too many issues where you could get this diverse group – representing tens of millions of members – to sign the same letter, but they are all concerned about the FCC’s proposed Title II regulations.  I recently wrote a piece about the current proposal being pondered by the FCC on the Huffington Post, you can read it here. While some like to say that only a few large companies are against their proposals, this letter clearly shows that is not true.  The CWA and IBEW, for instance, are champions for creating and protecting jobs – and they are deeply concerned that the FCC is putting jobs at risk, something we definitely do not need in a down economy.
You can find the letter, here: <http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/Labor%20-%20Civil%20Rights%20-%20Enviros%20Final%20Letter_1006181.pdf>

I know the FCC is getting a lot of letters right now. But I hope they put this one  at the top of their stack.