Ethnicity is not the sole definition of diversity. Yes, African-Americans, Mexicans, Asians, and Caucasians are the stereotypical images we think of when we describe a diverse crowd.
Look at the cover to any college advertising pamphlet and you will see at least one of each of these people depicted. However, there is a large amount of people who are forgotten in the diversity definition.
The definition of diversity is much more broad than it is commonly thought of. Diversity consists of differences among people. The quiet kid who sits in the back of the class, the art student who lugs art supplies to his locker, the large student who lumbers through the dining hall, the person in the wheelchair, the mentally challenged student, all these people are part of the “diversity” definition as well. It is the mixture of people that make the student population at Cal State Long Beach diverse, not just the ethnicity.
Unfortunately, many of the people who are unlike the norm are ignored or invisible to our society. Even on our campus we tend to pay no attention to the variety of different types of students that are around us each day. Many students walk around all day with their heads plugged in to their I-pods or blabbing on their cell phones. When do we actually stop to look around and take in all the differences? Is it really that important? The answer? Yes. We should feel lucky to be surrounded by such an abundance of diversity.
Diversity lets us experience culture, ideas, and life styles that we are not usually exposed to. We have the incredible opportunity to learn new aspects of other people’s lives. For some, their lives are very difficult from our own, and we can develop an appreciation for the success of these people, as well as an appreciation for the hardships we do not have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
If this is a campus where learning is to take place I do not see why we would shut ourselves in a box and ignore the lessons diversity can offer us. It is not like we are going to have a midterm on it, therefore, gaining the knowledge is solely for our own benefit as we develop into well-rounded human beings.
It is important not only to be aware of the diversity that we have here at CSULB, but as well, accept its presence. It is imperative to honor the programs the school offers for those who are mentally and physically challenged. In some ways it is difficult to see the point of something that we do not use ourselves. The point is, that the services are important to other people and in that sense we need to support them instead of not fund them.
How can we call ourselves a diverse campus if all we do is close our eyes to the differences among people? The world is full of differences. There is no point in hiding because, at some point, we have to face them. Those who are closed-minded are missing out on a full life and the opportunity to help and learn from others.
Jenna McDaniel is a junior art education major and a weekly columnist for the Daily Forty-Niner.
