This University has always taken great pride in the fact that we have a diverse campus. In SIU's first graduation ceremony, a black student received a diploma in a time when blacks across the nation couldn't attend many institutions of higher learning. When campuses began instituting "multi-cultural centers" 50 years ago, SIU didn't feel it needed such a program.
"We already had a critical mass of minority students," Seymour Bryson, associate vice chancellor for Diversity, told the Daily Egyptian editorial board at a recent meeting. But as he pointed out, the situation has never been perfect. Bryson's job includes listening to the complaints of minority and disabled students, and he knows what barriers they face on a daily basis. As a black man, he also knows first-hand that racism still exists in our community. He believes the danger is that people want to pretend it isn't there. No one wants to admit that we still have a problem on our hands.
In a lecture Thursday night, Joe Feagin, a professor of sociology from the University of Florida, discussed the emergence of a white minority. Shifting demographics mean that focusing on diversity and integration is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
This should mean that society will follow suit, achieving a truly integrated America. However, phenomena such as "white flight," the theory that whites move out of areas as blacks move in, prove that despite our changing world, we still engage in separatist activities. Instead of being a melting pot, we are becoming a nation of separate tribes, staying within the safe boundaries of people who are like ourselves. To a certain extent, this is a positive thing. It's one of the ways we maintain unique identities as black Americans or Hispanic-Americans or Asian-Americans. While this is important, we must look beyond ourselves to learn about the American experience in all of its forms.
The importance of diversifying not only lies in securing every American's civil rights. It is also to provide greater avenues from which to learn. Administrators and educators have long recognized that having a diverse faculty and student body enriches the entire group. It automatically forces members to deal with issues outside of their own upbringings and backgrounds. It brings forth better ideas. We learn not only of each other's differences, but also of our similarities.
Moving into this Brave New Diversity is no guarantee of achieving true integration. We recognize that we still face problems in relating with one another. But we can start to change things right here on campus in easy and enjoyable ways.
We encourage our fellow students to take advantage of this historically diverse University. Visit one of the many international festivals that occur on this campus frequently to sample the foods and meet the people from the nation being celebrated. Take a course in Black or Women's studies. Introduce yourself to students who are nothing like yourself. This opportunity always has been and always should be one of the best learning experiences at our University.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
