In today's culture, people often believe racism, sexism and other prejudicial discrimination are ways of the past. In fact some may be surprised to learn that discrimination is actually quite prevalent among college campuses - places that most believe to be accepting of multiculturalism. Unfortunately these thoughts come all too easy for those who remain untouched by the wounding power of discriminatory behaviors. Even though we may no longer tolerate mob lynches and burning crosses, some people in advantaged groups fail to see the subtle and sometimes blatant discrimination around them. Bias, prejudice and discrimination has become "out of sight, out of mind" for those living complacently in their advantaged status.
For those in disbelief, you may be interested in knowing some of my colleagues from the Social Justice League (SJL) and I found 62 percent of Ball State University students, comparable in demographics to the university at large, reported perceiving discrimination against themselves within the last two years. Females, racial/ethnic minorities, various religious preferences (or lack thereof) and people with differing physical appearances are most likely to be discriminated against here at Ball State. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students also are likely to be victims of discriminatory behaviors. Mostly fellow Ball State students and Muncie community members are likely to commit various public and private discriminatory behaviors against our students, however, it sometimes occurs from faculty and staff. Students most commonly reported that their discriminators treated them as inferiors with less respect or courtesy and as less intelligent.
Unfortunately, Ball State is not alone. All over our nation - from the inner city of New York to the plains of Iowa - we can still find people holding and acting on prejudicial beliefs. Recent studies conducted throughout America reveal that discrimination remains a prevalent problem. Studies also show discrimination can have detrimental effects for college students, such as increased alcohol use, depression and health problems as well as lower perceptions of social support and life satisfaction.
Given the results of our study I do not feel comfortable saying Ball State is an environment favorable to learning for all its attendees. Our college years are supposed to be a period of intellectual, emotional and social growth. I think we can all agree that the Ball brothers did not establish Ball State to foster psychological, physical and social problems. We have the right as humans to attend schools, to be citizens of a country and to live in a world that does not devalue our uniqueness. I challenge each and every one of us to no longer accept the social injustices going on here and beyond the gates of Ball State. So, what can we do?
At the least we can explore our own deeply held biases. You may not think you have any. However, even in subtle ways we may all be prejudicial and discriminatory to the people around us. If you still believe you are not, please, take some time throughout your day to recognize when you may be making assumptions about those you do not fully understand. Discriminatory behavior, such as avoiding obese people, talking slang to all African-American/black people, telling women to go back to cooking class or assuming all feminine men are gay often arise from our negative value judgments. Only when we recognize the full limits of our prejudice and discrimination will we be effective in recreating our social environment. If this is not enough for you, e-mail the president of the SJL, Gunnar Ingolfsson (bsusocialjusticeleague@gmail.com), to become involved in our student organization. The SJL's goal is to actively fight unjust social policies and discriminatory behaviors. We believe you can help.
To tolerate differences is no longer enough. I hope one day we cannot only attend a university but live in a world that recognizes, understands and accepts differences. We all, not just those of minority status, have the responsibility to defend human equality. We must work together to break the bonds of oppression. We must no longer accept devaluing, denunciation and degradation, but embrace equality, understanding and acceptance. I call upon faculty, staff, administration and students to stand up to discrimination through education, activism, policy changes and personal responsibility. Together we can redefine education in modern day America by creating a university, and world, truly multiculturally inclusive.
John McConnell, Social Justice League
John McConnell is a guest columnist for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
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