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.
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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