What is diversity?
It is a question too often asked by society in these modern,"let's all just get along" times.
So, what is it?
The "Webster's Dictionary" definition states that diversity...well, who cares?
Each individual has his or her own opinion on what diversityreally means, and for that and the standard of which we have cometo associate the word with, there is no solid way of definingdiversity.
But what about the technical aspects?
Diversity should be a verb, not a noun.
Here and abroad at universities and workplaces around thecountry, we have seen an increased effort to "promote" or"encourage" diversity.
Scholarships are created, programs are invoked, students andemployees are recruited and millions of dollars are spent to pushfor this grand idea.
It is a double-edged sword, however.
As much as the university (or any other organization) may try todiversify the student body and faculty, the students and facultyshould be willing work for it and, more importantly, believe init.
You can lead the proverbial horse to water, but you cannot makeit drink. Likewise, we can "promote" diversity to the ends of thisgreen Earth, but we may be beating that very same horse todeath.
Let's pull that dictionary back out.
Taken from the roots, diversity (diverse) implies a differing ofone thing from the next: distinct, unlike elements orqualities.
If that is the case, those who encourage diversity are merelyworking to increase differences.
In other words, our definition of the word is somewhatwrong.
For the purpose of adding more unique elements to a givensituation (be it workplace or a university), we are correct.However, by forcing this "diversity," we seem to be fightingagainst the very thing it has come to represent in many of oureyes: understanding.
It is interesting to note that diversity's definition does notinclude understanding, instead just the condition of being diverse,or different.
So, on that level, we're all diverse.
It's the acceptance and understanding that need a littlework.
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