Diversity Elephants and Giraffes? Building a House of Diversity: Book Critique

Abstract

This book critique of Building a House for Diversity: A Fable about a Giraffe and an Elephant Offers New Strategies for Today’s Workforce was completed in response to an ongoing need to make relevant application of published writing about diversity. The book was written by R. R. Thomas and M. I. Woodruff. The purpose of the book is to provide readers a greater understanding of diversity and the factors that contribute to organizations and individuals responses to diversity, and to increase the reader’s diversity management skills. The fable includes giraffes and elephants as the main characters to illustrate common dilemmas that arise when diverse groups come together. Short vignettes consisting of personal interviews with individuals who are characterized as either giraffes or elephants are used to create connections with the reader. This work is a continuation of previous books related to diversity, race, and workforce issues.