Posted on 06/14/2003 3:32:41 PM PDT by MJT20
Stop me if you've heard the new slogan of the United States of America, "diversity is our strength." Its everywhere: from businesses to hiring practices, to government agencies and college admissions, the list is infinite and the idea seems to be sticking.
by Michael J. Thompson News Editor May 29, 2003
Stop me if you've heard the new slogan of the United States of America, "diversity is our strength." Its everywhere: from businesses to hiring practices, to government agencies and college admissions, the list is infinite and the idea seems to be sticking. The drive for more diversity in America has become the early-21st century's version of the arms race between the USSR and the USA. Which organization, business or school can compile the most diversity -- without ever questioning why it is doing such -- will win.
From what credible sources tell me, word around Washington D.C. is that the old "E Pluribus Unum" is no longer the motto and "diversity is US" is in.
I have but a few simple questions, but they will probably irritate many who cling to this idea of diversity as if it were the protective blanket covering you from the monster that happens to just be the truth. Try and be open minded about what I have to say.
What happens when this noble pursuit of diversity backfires? What happens when people realize that all diversity truly is, is a relaxing of previous standards, just for the inclusion of "oppressed minorities"? Why can't merit alone get you a job? And the big question: if diversity is such a good thing, why is it not practiced spontaneously, why is it not done naturally? Why do individuals have to be pressured into this idea that diversity is our strength?
Many of you who have made it this far into the column will say how can anyone say such a thing. You will think, how can he not see that diversity is what has made America great?
First of all, the political use of the word diversity is a fairly new concept. In Peter Wood's book "Diversity: the Invention of a Concept" he writes, the diversity movement is an attempt to alter the root assumptions on which American society is based, chiefly by downgrading individual merit and common standards in favor of separatism and group rights.
Secondly, those who champion the glory of diversity always point to the fact that it will lead to different viewpoints from racial groups and better end results. The logic thus follows that a person will have views based solely on their race. A white will think white, a black will think black, etc.
As Peter Schwartz of the Ayn Rand Institute said to this question, that would translate into the belief that one's race determines the content of one's mind.
How racist is that?! To believe one's race translates views of Hispanic thought, or black thought or Asian thought?
We must remember we are individuals, out of many- one. Some people have forgotten that motto and if we stick to current trends, it will be erased.
So what do we do now? Do we continue to keep the blanket over our heads, like a child would when he hears noises at night or do we take the blanket off and realize the truth isn't that bad?
I call upon the Diversity Center here at Auburn to do its job. Next year, have a symposium on diversity -- good or bad? -- and bring in national and student leaders of diverse opinions to debate the issue.
They will be of different races and have different opinions on diversity.
We can be open-minded, right? Let's let America follow our lead, as Auburn brings individuals together to discuss the merits of diversity, both pro and con.
Diversity of opinion friends -- does America and Auburn still believe in it? Or will it be silenced with cries of racist, because those who believe in diversity can't truly defend but must resort to name calling as a defense? It's up to you, Diversity Center.
But remember, those noises will remain: the blanket will come off and the truth shall be shown.
BSC '80
Out of frustration, I began utilizing sarcasm by saying that my owning two SUV's is a form of 'pro-choice'. "And you guys are 'pro-choice', right?"
I don't own an SUV -- was just trying to play with them.
That being said, I am impressed at how many words Thompson uses to say so little. I am of the opinion that all people are equal before God and under the law. The amount of racisim that I have witness occuring on the Auburn campus is little to none, so this issue that people will persist in bringing up really isn't an issue at all. It irritates me to see it continually shoved in our faces like the public is doing something wrong. I guess it must've been a slow news day.
Start the F*CKING CLOCK!!
Total garbage. This one won't last long...
Did you actually read the essay?
Evidently, AU has a "Diversity Council". Thompson is questiong the legitimacy of such a thing in a university. At least, that is how I read it.
We must remember we are individuals, out of many- one. Some people have forgotten that motto and if we stick to current trends, it will be erased.
From this sentence, I took that his point was that the diversity issue is a sham - and against the founding principles of the Republic.
Am I missing something?
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