McNaughton: Diversity still lacking
Students lack exposure to different cultures, backgrounds
Diversity is often placed on the back burner in today’s society. Students should expose themselves to many different ideas and backgrounds.
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
In orientation for the University Daily Kansan, the topic of diversity was presented to us.
It began with the typical, “What do you think diversity means?” and is followed by a couple of group exercises.
Now, we’re not going to do the group exercises but just consider what you think diversity means and if you’re exposed to it enough on a regular basis.
The first exercise consisted of statements being read aloud while staffers would stand if the statements applied to them. Through the exercises, we were reminded that although we are all Kansan staffers, we each individually have different interest, personalities and backgrounds thus compromising a very diverse group.
The portrayal, or lack there of, of diverse groups has always been an issue in the media. Under-represented groups have sparked many private, group directed papers.
The second exercise required us to examine just that: the media’s use and portrayal of diversity. We would determine the race of a person in a picture and keep a tally of the amount of white, hispanic, Asian-Americans and African-Americans that were pictured with news and sports stories.
Not surprisingly, most stories contained predominantly white subjects.
The point of these exercises was to remind us that as a paper, we want to represent the University as a whole and not just one group, belief or demographic.
The most obvious portrayals of different races were found mainly in the sports section.
There we found various pictures and stories, making the sports section the most diverse aspect of the paper.
The point of these exercises was to remind us that as a paper, we want to represent the University as a whole and not just one group, belief or demographic.
I was concerned as I watched people stand and sit down with statements when the race statements were made. There were not very many non-white staffers present. The orientation consisted mainly of white Roman Catholics.
I’m not saying that there are no Asians or hispanics on staff, because I’m Hispanic myself.
I just feel that the staff, as well as our campus, is lacking diversity.
Think back to last semester around the beginning of October. There was a huge white sign on Wescoe Beach that read, Diversity at KU: Don’t believe the hype.
Marcus Kirby made the sign following his inquiry into enrollment figures.
According to an article written on Kirby by Sarah Neff, he believed that he was not exposed to enough diversity on campus in his everyday interactions.
Looking into the University’s statements on diversity, I found that there is a diversity link that contains the University’s statement.
I still agree with Kirby. Don’t believe the hype.
About 27,000 undergraduates and graduates venture onto the Lawrence campus.
Last semester’s demographics broke down like this: 810 African-Americans, 315 Native Americans, 994 Asians, 845 hispanics, 19,360 white non-hispanics, 916 unknown and 1,579 US resident aliens.
But diversity is not just about race — it is also about beliefs and values.
Different cultures and races have many different beliefs and values.
If enough multi-cultural students are not enrolling in universities, students are missing out on the opportunity to be exposed to those rich ideas and experiences.
The University makes it part of its mission to expose us students to different aspects of life and culture.
According to Maurice L. Bryan, Jr., the Associate Vice Provost for Diversity and Equality, KU plans to further improve its diversity by hiring a more diverse staff.
However, I don’t think all the blame can be placed on the University or the media for the lack of diversity.
Groups that are under represented need to take the necessary steps to ensure that they have a face at the collegiate level as well as in the media. Those who have the representation also have the tools and the means to assist students and media in their exposure to diverse groups.
An optimum level of diversity at the University is inconceivable because diversity can’t be measured.
As a member of the Kansan, I’ll try and remain your No. 1 writer to bring you diverse, Mexican-American opinions.
Discussion
All comments are moderated by Kansan.com staff. For our full user policy, click here.
With a name like "McNaughton," I wonder why don't you consider yourself just as much "Scottish-American" as "Mexican-American?" Why not try just as hard to remain UDK's No. 1 writer bringing us diverse, "Scottish-American" opinions?
Or maybe you could just be the No. 1 writer for diversity PERIOD.
Yeah, that would be nice. No need to single out anyone.
Share your 2¢
Requires free registration.