20 October 2012

Multicultural Homogeneity

My friend Judy made a comment to me during a board meeting today of the Alumni Association of Cortland State (my alma mater). The board was discussing creating a a culture of diversity. Quite the spirited conversation.
       Judy then wrote a note to me which said, "multicultural homogeneity." That's EXACTLY what we were talking about. The conversation was "safe" and "limited." It was a discussion about cultural and some ethnic diversity.
       Basically the conversation went something like this: "What is the ethnic demographic of the current student body and how can that be reflected on the alumni board?" 
       Now that is totally legitimate. A noble goal. But it IS multicultural homogeneity. It is  not a broader, fuller sense of diversity. No religious diversity. No political diversity. No sexual diversity.
       I prefer to use the term "limited diversity" on the board, because there are boundaries to the diversity being considered. Let's call it what it is.

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