The 2018 midterm elections featured one of the most diverse spreads of candidates in American history.

Among those headed to Washington come January are a number of first-time congressional representatives, women, LGBTQ officials and overall a broader ethnic spectrum of legislators.

Increased diversity in American government is as much a victory for the general American public as it is for historically marginalized groups, and it sets the stage for better policy-making.

While diversity has already proven successful in bolstering innovation and performance, it also harnesses the power to de-bias governing bodies set to make important decisions on the behalf of a diversifying America. The United States Census Bureau reports that America’s racial and ethnic diversity continues to rise, and 2018 Gallup polling reports notable increases in the percentage of Americans identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.

Demographically diverse governing bodies do more than just mirror America’s changing electoral composition, though — they provide valuable diversity in thought.

In the U.S. Congress, historically dominated by limited demographics, diversity offers perspective that can improve the quality of legislative decision-making. The opportunity for legislators to speak with and hear from colleagues with broad lived experiences legitimizes public policy and improves governmental response to marginalized groups.

Deb Haaland, a Native American congressional-elect from New Mexico, spoke to CNN about what her victory, and those of other Native Americans, means for Congress, as well as to those searching for themselves in their government.

“I feel like for every Native American child who has never ever seen themselves represented in this body of our government, it means a tremendous amount to them,” she said. “I feel very confident that my experience will give me an opportunity to be that voice at the table.”

Where a governing body largely unfamiliar with the complexities of issues facing transgender Americans might struggle to craft fair and meaningful legislation on the matter, for example, one exposed to the viewpoints of those impacted by such legislation is likely to create better public policy. The mere existence of transgender people in Congress does not improve the body’s ability to govern — but their ability to expand their colleague’s frames of reference, to encourage a re-evaluation of notions about gender, does.

For the first time, those representing our interests in Congress will have the opportunity — and the obligation — to sit among people they’ve never sat among before. They will not just hear about women’s issues or racial barriers facing Americans or prejudices against the LGBTQ anymore. They will stare those issues in the face.

Michael Sessa is a newspaper and online journalism major. His column runs biweekly. He can be reached at msessa@syr.edu.

Published on November 26, 2018 at 9:40 pm