ABSTRACT
Most often when individuals think of instances of prejudice or discrimination they think of it at the individual level-where one single person’s beliefs cause them to think, and ultimately act, a certain way towards another group either because of their race, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, etc. Generally, individuals who have feelings of this nature will attempt to remain disassociated with these “others” at all cost. Frequently, these individuals resist diversity because they feel threatened, and resistance serves a form of protection; it is a way they feel they can protect themselves from harm. This behavior is the traditional individual form of resistance (Cortina & Magley, 2003). These forms of resistance, however, are not reduced to occurring only at the individual level. Organizations, which obviously are composed of people, are also guilty of harboring sentiments of resistance towards underrepresented groups, or those lacking power. And it is within these organizations where individuals must work, that resistance ends up having a much more powerful impact on society as a whole.
