[574] in Discussion of MIT-community interests
Re: a diversity GIR for MIT?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Aisha D Stroman)
Tue May 8 19:41:29 2001
Message-Id: <200105082336.TAA03957@w20-575-93.mit.edu>
To: "Jimmy_B,MajMoola,MechWarrior,etc._Chien-ta Wu" <jimmbswu@MIT.EDU>
cc: mit-talk@MIT.EDU, adstrom@MIT.EDU
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Tue, 08 May 2001 19:27:45 EDT."
<200105082327.TAA01434@MECHWARRIOR.MIT.EDU>
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Date: Tue, 08 May 2001 19:36:17 -0400
From: Aisha D Stroman <adstrom@MIT.EDU>
I don't think it's necessarily teaching "diversity" but teaching people about
other cultures and dispelling myths so that one can begin to appreciate
another culture. There is no way you can force someone to appreciate
diversity, not by living together, not through a class or an activity.
However, one reason people don't appreciate living in a multicultural
environment, or don't feel as if they are a part of one, is because they know
very little about other cultures. Some of this is by choice, but some of it
is just because people are afraid to leave their comfort zone. They are
afraid to be the only Black person at a Korean event, or the only any
race/culture in a place that is not familiar and comfortable for them.
I hate that they are calling it a "diversity class." I want it to be a class
about introducing people to other cultures on this campus and beyond.
Something like Clarence William's "Bridging the Cultural Divide." Use the
class to help people talk about and work through the stereotypes,
misunderstanding, and just plain ignorance that we all have in some capacity.
We never talk about those kinds of things, and when we do, because it's
optional, we preach to the choir. We hold conversations with people who are
already concerned about diversity and multiculturalism. A class can give us
the opportunity to talk AND raise awareness among those who don't know, maybe
even make people who don't care begin to care. A little knowledge can go a
long way. Moya won't work b/c you don't have to go to Moya, same with Bufa
Bufa. But a mandatory class at least forces you to talk about and think about
it, and it's more likely that people will go out and meet other folks on this
campus and participate in other cultural events that are out of their comfort
zone if they feel like they know more about the culture and they feel less
intimidated and less alienated. In addition, they are offered a chance
educate others on their own culture.
Aisha
>> [Note: If you fervently believe that *everyone* has to have an appreciation
*for
>> diversity, please do not send us emails about why *everyone* has to have an
>> appreciation for diversity. That's not the questions we're answering here,
*and
>> you're unlikely to score any points anyway. And the inverse is also true.
*If
>> you think I'm talking to you, you are probably right.]
>>
>> On a mailing list, someone mentioned that there should be a diversity GIR fo
*r
>> MIT. The following questions logically follow:
>>
>> 1.) Is an appreciation for diversity something that can be taught, or is it
>> something that everyone has to come to realize on their own, at their own pa
*ce,
>> their own time?
>>
>> 2.) What is the best way to foster an appreciation for diversity on this cam
*pus?
>> A class? A training seminar? A different MOYA? A different Bufa Bufa? A
>> residence requirement? (eg, you have to live within 6 ft of someone differen
*t
>> from you.)
>>
>> 3.) For the people who want a diversity GIR, exactly how do you envision it
>> being implemented?
>>
>> 3.a) Corollary: How do you plan to avoid the pitfalls with the diversity
>> requirements at other colleges? eg, an Chinese-American can take a
>> class on Chinese culture to satisfy the diversity/cultural requireme
*nt,
>> but taking a Russian culture class can never satisfy the diversity
>> requirement.
>>
>> Personally, I don't think diversity can be taught, and that it is really
>> something that everyone has to come to realize on their own. But I'm intere
*sted
>> in what you think.
>>
>> No personal attacks this time, people, please.
>>
>> B, crackpot and defender of the status quo
>> -----------
>> http://www.mit.edu/~jimmbswu "Who Dares, Wins."
>> --UK SAS
>> "It is good that war is so terrible,
>> else we should grow too fond of it."
>> --R. E. Lee
Aisha Stroman
MIT
Computer Science and Engineering
------------------------------------
It's not our responsibility to prove to people who we are.
Our job and responsibility is to "be."
What you do is proof of who you are; manifestation is realization.
People have a right to think whatever they choose to think.
Just because they think it does not make it right.
--Iyanla Vanzant
