The Foreign Service Journal, December 2020

10 DECEMBER 2020 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTERS A Tribute to Ralph Bunche Thank you for publishing James Dandridge’s informa- tive article about Dr. Ralph J. Bunche’s enduring contribu- tions to peacebuilding and diplomacy (“Ralph J. Bunche, U.N. Architect,” September). In 1997 the State Department named its library in honor of Ralph Bunche in recognition of his political and humani- tarian contributions to the department and the United Nations, and for his con- tributions to the world of learning. As America’s oldest federal library, the Ralph J. Bunche Library is proud to honor his inspirational legacy and to advance American diplomacy by delivering world- class research services, information resources and customer service to State personnel worldwide. Julie Arrighetti Chief Librarian, Ralph J. Bunche Library U.S. Department of State Diversity Déjà Vu Your September Journal (“Facing Rac- ism”) brought on a sense of diversity déjà vu. During the five decades in which I served, there was a lot said and little done about diversity, except under the dictates of litigation; and it appears we are still on that path. To avoid undue length, here are a few suggestions designed to exploit the nature of our system and FSOs’ ambitions to help improve the situation: • Leaders can immediately mandate that all meetings be diverse, ideally including diversity in race, gender and sexual orientation; but at the very least we ought to be able to manage full gender representation. • Leaders can take on responsibilities When the State Department is serious about a goal or an initiative, an impor- tant way it demonstrates this attitude and determination is to name a special coordinator with authority and a high- level direct report. Of course, there are many systemic changes that should be made focused on promotion and assignment precepts, as well as other possible changes. But there is always a risk that such efforts will devolve into long-term admiration of the problem, rather than solving it. Moreover, such changes do nothing to say that this time it’s going to be differ- ent. The changes noted above make that point, while working toward longer-term solutions. Henry S. Ensher FSO, retired McLean, Virginia Yes, We Need Options for POVs! I wholeheartedly support Warren Leishman’s recom- mendation that FS members be given alternatives to shipping personal vehicles to and from overseas posts (“Stop Shipping Your Per- sonal Vehicle!” Speaking Out, October). From per- sonal experience, I realize that the default to “shipping” causes not only extra expense for the government; in some cases, it also rules out better options for employees. When I was posted to Guatemala, I had to fight to be allowed to drive our vehicle back instead of shipping it, even when I for recruitment and retention, and ask that subordinates do the same. The idea is that any contact with an outside group, such as a civic organization, business council or uni- versity, should include a recruiting pitch. • More systemically, contributions to retention and recruitment should be made precepts for assignment and pro- motion. This change could be initiated by leaders and assignment decision- makers asking whether candidates had done anything to promote diverse recruitment and retention. If bureaus owning desirable assignments asked the question a few times, word would get around fast. • Over time, demonstrated support for recruitment and retention should be included in precepts for senior leadership assign- ments and promotion into the Senior Service. Mere assertion of commit- ment to equal employment opportunity principles would not suffice. • Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) could be instructed to focus greater attention on historically Black colleges and universities, and other institutions focused on diverse communities. DIRs could be rated based on their success in recruiting from such communities, and promotion and award panels could be instructed to give increased weight to such success. It should be standard operating procedure that all contacts with higher educational institutions, such as partici- pation in seminars, be coordinated with DIRs to ensure recruitment is included. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 2020 McCARTHYISM REVISITED MAKING INCLUSION REAL Submit letters to the editor: journal@afsa.org