“Diversity still an issue on campus, some students say” ODE, Nov. 10, 2008
“Encouraging and celebrating diversity on campus is, of course, a very important issue at today’s universities. But I think in some ways, the emphasis (especially in political correctness) can work against it. Just last year I saw someone in my social inequality class become paralyzed mid-sentence, afraid they were going to say something offensive. At times the issue seems so sensitive, people are afraid to discuss it for fear of tripping up and saying something that could be interpreted as racist when they never intended it that way. I’m not implying racism is not a serious issue, but I think if we don’t assume anything that could be interpreted as offensive is offensive, it would encourage a much more free and relaxed dialogue, which would in turn expedite solutions.”
– Alex Conley
“With students of myriad ethnicities attending universities across the nation and Barack Obama as our president-elect, it is easy to assume that the United States has overcome issues of racial discrimination. However, students continue to suffer silently, even here at the University, because of racism, an issue that has fallen back into the woodwork. This matter needs to be acknowledged and addressed publicly to raise awareness of its existence and to elicit Affirmative Action when necessary.”
– Meredith LaFrance
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