I will tell you all again exactly how the Diversity Plan compares
directly with totalitarian regimes of the likes controlled by Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, etc. I wrote previously, “The unifying theme in these governments’ justifications was to separate societies into classes based on various political criteria, and then take action to suppress one class and support another.” (“Diversity Plan wrongly suppresses one class to elevate another,” ODE May 31) That is the connection that Dave Jaklevic refuses to accept (“Comparison of Diversity Plan to Nazism is ludicrous,” ODE June 5) – that the
Diversity Plan separates the student population based on political criteria such as race and gender. This is evident in the non-cited, convenient statistics included on page five of the current Diversity Plan.
It is deceptive that Jaklevic states the goal of the Plan is to increase political and religious diversity because the statistics presented only mention racial/ethnic data. I doubt the Plan is concerned with increasing the Republican representation on campus although many departments have none teaching, yet the state and country is almost evenly split. He states the University won’t (physically) separate groups according to beliefs, but it will do so politically, socially and administratively. How else can the University increase religious diversity without knowing someone’s beliefs? And what is the point garnering that information without it aiding in decision making?
The only agenda I have is to promote the ideas of liberty and freedom for all, as anyone can attest to by reading my articles in the Commentator, listening to my ASUO campaign, or talking with me in person. Maybe the concept of liberty is disjointed rhetoric to some, but to many people such as myself, it is an idea we would give our lives for.
Do not fall for the lies of the Diversity Plan. While the University isn’t oppressing anyone yet, it sure will be discriminating against certain classes. I cannot justify discriminating against any skin color, race, creed, sex or political belief to advance an undefined notion of a multicultural environment. The millions of our fellow humans that were slaughtered in the name of designing a better society should never be forgotten. Their deaths should serve as a reminder of the evils of discriminatory policies that are zealously advocated here at the University.
Refusing to acknowledge history and turning a blind eye to the justifications of past genocides trivializes those atrocities.
Andy Dolberg is a columnist for the Oregon Commentator.