Thoughts on diversity

Diversity is a great thing in the education system: it teaches one to see the world from another’s point of view; it engenders empathy in the individual, and I think the world needs more of that. It certainly needs to be protected in the schools. But diversity can have its cons. I think where many people–mostly liberals–get diversity wrong are these very idealistic images (often portrayed on university websites) of people from different backgrounds and races coexisting peacefully, having fun together, etc…, etc…

Human beings are more complicated, confrontational, and exclusionary than the marketing director at our universities would like us to believe. Thus, to embrace diversity at school ultimately gives rise to a need to invest in conflict resolution. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. America is unquestionably a very racially diverse society with its dominant culture dictated mostly by, arguably, a single race. I originated from a country where I used to be a part of a dominant race but now find myself as part of the minority. Diversity, thus, became a topic that I was forced to have interest in.