City of Bowie Diversity Statement

In our commitment to the welfare of all our citizens, the City of Bowie seeks a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. Indeed, the richness of diverse backgrounds provides the fundamental building blocks for unity within every strong community. In our commitment to unity through diversity, we welcome people of all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from all cultures in all aspects of our community life. Our commitment to work toward an environment that values diversity requires that we create, promote and maintain environments, activities and programs which further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values which discourage intolerance and discrimination.

Diversity, when it is accepted and respected, is a tremendous strength and asset for any community. It encompasses an understanding that each individual is unique and valuable to the welfare of the community. It recognizes and celebrates the differences amongst individuals, and capitalizes on the strengths resulting from these differences. Diversity works best when a community explores these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.

The term “diversity” means difference, variance and heterogeneity. Its opposite is sameness, similarity and homogeneity. Because this meaning is broad, it has come to mean many things to different people. The dimensions of diversity shall include, but are not limited to the following: race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexual orientation, sex/gender, disability, socioeconomic status, cultural orientation, physical abilities, political beliefs, age and national origin.

By working together, we can maintain a community and a work environment where all citizens have the opportunity to develop their potential and contribute fully to Bowie’s future growth, development and unity.

Adopted by the Bowie City Council, June 16, 2003.