Diversity has long been defined and recognized to describe the degree of difference in the physical and ethnic characteristics of a group of people. Yet, there needs to be a greater reflection on which of the meanings of diversity to embody and the effect it has on our conscious awareness in relations to our strength as a unit within our campus community.
Diversity has many personal meanings to people on campus. Professor Bill Kamil, Chair of History Department, leans towards a more traditional and yet original definition, stating diversity to be “the racial, ethnic, economic experience.” The emphasis on experience highlights the uniqueness, and yet commonalities of certain categories, in each person’s contributions.
Lora Bowling, the Humanities Administrator, provided a strong emotional response, by stating diversity is, “An awesomeness because it’s a discovery of something you are not normally accustomed to.”
To Angela Griffen, an Academic Advisor, diversity is “the way we walk in the world.” According to Griffen, it’s about thoroughly understanding the contributions one can make where the uniqueness of such contributions roots tremendous influences on the greater community once the ceilings are raised for such growth
Answers were indeed intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and unique to department’s focus of studies.
A most profound response is stated by Rachel X where diversity “means embracing differences.” Rachel contends diversity as the embracing of differences and acceptance of each other’s differences.
Beyond that, Rachel effectively went where no other definition has for she defined diversity as an action, and a verb. Thus, it is a state we must continually live within and if not, the repercussions are simply lack of diversity, innovation and creativity; no matter the differences held within a group.
Professor of Psychology, Boki Twe, echoes the essence of Rachel’s understanding of diversity; defining it as “being open to a variety of perspectives on reality.” His definition opens up the conversation of consideration to other ways of life, whereas Rachel stresses acceptance, and the embracing, the love of differences, in her definition…
Conversations on diversity will surely better enable understanding of what diversity means to this community, and perhaps revitalize the life of our community. For being a community-at large- means that there are strong connections with all members, that we, the members, are interlinked in one way or another.
We must all stop and ask ourselves: Are we striving to and are achieving this standard, daily? Ask ourselves whether we are putting ourselves in the shoes of our brethren? Do we have mercy and compassion towards them, no matter their background? Are we accepting them for who they are and exchanging values and lessons of life?
The bottom line of our reality is that we all have our differences. Not matter the differences, it is time to learn to find our similarities as humans, to unite and find common solutions to our collective problems as we embark on completing a journey called life; otherwise, there is no sense of community.
We would not have experienced the heights of joy, and we will continue to miss out on life’s greatest offerings if we continue limiting our understanding, interaction and experiencing the paths of diversity and in essence losing sight of its value that it has to offer. It is the tree of life!
The interviews and commentary provided on the subject of diversity are a beginning of a deeper conversation to be had about our community life on campus. Send your thoughts to Falastin.issa@my.sinclair.edu and a response including/addressing your thoughts may be featured in the next article!
Falastin Issa
Reporter