Diversity Drivel
University of Texas/Austin president Bill Powers argues for affirmative action in the WSJ:
Diversity isn't only acceptable but desirable in all aspects of life, especially education. In my 38 years in the classroom, I often have seen how a diverse classroom enriches discussion, provides valuable insights and offers a deeper learning experience. After all, how can a homogenous environment prepare students to be effective citizens of a diverse world?
Of course, he's talking about diverse skin colors, but the black kids I grew up with (all of whom seemed to come from wealthier backgrounds than mine) weren't exactly the suburban equivalent of foreign exchange students from Africa. Quite the contrary.
Hans Bader at OpenMarket puts this well:
In practice, the use of race to promote "diversity" is based on racial stereotypes about people of different races and the stereotyped assumption people of different races think differently. Taken to its logical extreme, it leads to the proliferation of "diversity trainers" who promote offensive racial stereotypes.For example, Glenn Singleton, a wealthy "diversity" trainer, has claimed that "white talk" is "impersonal, intellectual, verbal" and "task-oriented," while "color commentary" is "emotional." If a white person said this, it would rightly be regarded as a ridiculous, racist stereotype that relegates black people to inferior status.
...Commentary has focused on whether the University of Texas' racial preferences in admissions violate the Constitution's equal protection clause. Often overlooked is they violate the plain language of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, which prohibits use of race by institutions that receive federal funds.
Title VI provides that "No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Texas' racial preferences also violate 42 U.S.C. 1981, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracts.
You want diverse? Admit financially disadvantaged people of whatever color -- or rather, take their disadvantage into account in the admissions process.
Of course, what's really missing on campuses -- per Greg Lukianoff's excellent Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate
How nice for Bill Powers that he taught only those who fit into his preconceived ideas. Far from promoting diversity, he restricts each genotype to its own mold. All blacks act this way, all whites act this way, all Jews...etc.
The necessary stereotypes that order his world would have reduced him to catatonia if he were ever to encounter the likes of Sammy Davis Jr., Tiger Woods or the President.
Patrick at October 11, 2012 12:47 AM
As you may know, I work for a Federal contractor. There, Diversity = Skin Color. Nothing more. You can actually see that in city government policy here and there, too.
The ultimate irony - that equality only exists where NO distinction is made - is completely lost on official ears.
Meanwhile, substandard performance, measurable at that, is excused at every level if the responsible person meets the "right" demographic.
You'll be tickled to know that we are spending taxpayer dollars on "generational diversity training", where we are apparently encouraged not to ask someone younger to get to work in trade for not being called, "old".
Radwaste at October 11, 2012 3:11 AM
OT: Anybuddy ever see the Connery version of the Untouchables?
Well, it ain't just 'the Zhi-CAH-goe way' anymore.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at October 11, 2012 4:57 AM
You know how to get a diverse school? Offer a really great education and expect a lot of your students and parents. My kids charter school takes no notice of race in the application process. Most of the blacks at our school ARE African-Americans (first or second generation), and they really, really care about education (and have really awesome accents). No saggy pants here. We also have tons of Indians, and Pakistanis, and Asians of all stripes.
There's no "color fairness" in discipline, either. You screw up, you are out. There are plenty of students wanting in who will behave.
momof4 at October 11, 2012 5:40 AM
(Excising mawkishness:) I grew in a modest (ahem) circumstance with ambitious people from all over the world, many of whom weren't too well acquainted with American mores and courtesies. Sometimes things were clumsy, but it gave me a really clear understanding of when your disagreement with someone was about their culture and when it was about their spirit.
Even when the world is perfectly tuned up, no matter what, we're not always going to get along.
Crid [Cridcomment at Gmail] at October 11, 2012 6:53 AM
Diversity of opinion - yep, that is the best diversity of all, and it truly is missing from higher education.
When I was in graduate school I was asked by a classmate (who herself worked in higher education as a college administrator) "Why, if you are so conservative, are you attending graduate school? All these ideas are liberal."
This conversation came about because I complained that our "professor" (quote marks because the guy was really a narrow-minded, tenured, asshole, not a true educator) assigned as a final paper the topic of "Critique George Bush's policies." Which had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the class material. WTF?
Of course, as a white male, the teacher ignored me every class and fawned over the black female students in class to the point that it was hilarious (although quite sad).
Charles at October 11, 2012 7:03 AM
"...'white talk' is 'impersonal, intellectual, verbal' and 'task-oriented,' while 'color commentary' is 'emotional.'"
This sounds like BS, but if it's true, since speech reflects thinking, and thinking certainly affects choices, this seems like a pretty good explanation for the disparity in social and economic outcomes between people of whiteness and people of color that has nothing to do with racism.
Ken R at October 11, 2012 2:46 PM
Charles, I had a children's lit professor who was convinced that Curious George and Babar the Elephant were anti-African manifestos in disguise.
cornerdemon at October 11, 2012 5:09 PM
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