As one of the most beloved catchwords of 21st century academia, the term “diversity” has become one of the most used and celebrated attributes of our nation’s colleges and universities. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a top university that does not tout diversity as one of its most prized qualities. For a term that is so widely used and flaunted in the U.S. educational system, we ought to have an appropriate grasp of what it really means – or perhaps more importantly, what it should mean.
When the term “diversity” comes to mind, most will likely think of matters relating to multiculturalism. On the surface, a student body representing a wide range of races and socioeconomic statuses seems appealing and fair. From the lenses of America’s leading institutions of higher education, a racially diverse environment is best equipped to engage with difficult topics. Again, at first blush, this seems logically practical and socially just. But is this really what our colleges and universities should be focused on?
According to many school administrations, a racially diverse community is innately strong. In reality, this is nonsense. To claim that a student body can attain strength and success merely because of racial and social diversity is misleading, and detracts from what is truly meaningful in learning environments. While racial and multicultural diversity are not necessarily negative attributes, they are not necessarily constructive either. For instance, a racially diverse charitable organization is no better or worse than an all-black church ministry; melanin level is not the true determinant of values and meaning, and nor should it be. There is something deeper and more substantial that diversity of skin color cannot achieve on its own.
Diversity of thought is infinitely more important than diversity of skin color or economic standing. Variety of ethnic makeup does not hold a candle to differences of values, ideals, and beliefs – and we shouldn’t pretend that it does. An academic and faith-based community is not strong because of its racial and socioeconomic makeup. Rather, its strength emerges from its members’ composition of beliefs and values. But even this on its own is not enough to form a truly strong, robust community. As evidenced in many colleges and universities over the past several years, administrators tend to believe that diversity cannot thrive in an environment in which people disagree. Thus, they seem to advocate openness to an extreme level that dilates any values they once claimed to represent. This, again, is nonsensical. What good is there in learning and engaging with ideas if we are all expected to hold the same views? Thus, diversity of any type is meaningless without basic human decency. In an era as politically polarizing and ideologically difficult as today’s, it is more difficult than ever to cultivate a diverse community that also maintains decency and respect for people of all viewpoints and beliefs. Leftist practices such as “trigger warnings” and “safe spaces,” as well as nebulous terms like “white privilege” deter us from achieving intellectual freedom and liberty. Attempting to shut down a presidential candidate’s event because of opposing viewpoints – as we have seen across our country in recent months – does not achieve anything. It is sillier than it is effectual. The college campus should be the heart of intellectual progress, and it is difficult to advance when many use vain, insincere excuses to silence opposing viewpoints, all in the name of “diversity.”
The College of the Holy Cross mission statement states, “As a liberal arts college, Holy Cross pursues excellence in teaching, learning, and research. All who share its life are challenged to be open to new ideas, to be patient with ambiguity and uncertainty, to combine a passion for truth with respect for the views of others. Informed by the presence of diverse interpretations of the human experience, Holy Cross seeks to build a community marked by freedom, mutual respect, and civility.” In an environment in which people are offended by something as puerile as party themes and demand administrative punishment for ideas they disagree with, are we nurturing an academic community that excels because of all of its members and their ideas rather than only those that do not offend people?
Diversity cannot be meaningful without decency. Thus, it is time for our nation’s colleges and universities to move away from their preconceived focus on racial diversity and move towards promoting an environment that tolerates and respects ideas. Dr. John Ellison, a Dean of Students at the University of Chicago, sent a letter to all incoming freshmen this past September. The letter read, “Fostering the free exchange of ideas reinforces a related University priority — building a campus that welcomes people of all backgrounds. Diversity of opinion and background is a fundamental strength of our community. The members of our community must have the freedom to espouse and explore a wide range of ideas.” It’s about time that other colleges – including Holy Cross – take note.