Republicans

Oh yeah, this issue of political diversity is a major one facing universities and our country in general. We talk of diversity only in terms of race and gender, which is all good and fine, but a rather narrow view. We miss class diversity, which I think is a much bigger factor in the way one views the world. Also, political diversity is without a doubt, missing from universities - mostly, I think, because the right and left see themselves as espousing the truth and justice, whereas what they really are expressing are different strategies to achieve similar values - fairness, equality of opportunity, health and welfare to a maximum number of citizens, education for all children, safety, etc.

What I find particularly interesting recently is the idea that diversity has an intrinsic value or has academic value. Nearly all colleges nowadays subscribe to the idea of diversity as a desired goal up there with academic achievement. But why is this? Are we correcting past wrongs, ie discrimination from the past? If so, how does admitting children into colleges correct past wrongs? Is it enough?

Or, are we expanding equality of opportunity to those children with less advantage? Does race reflect opportunity moreso than other factors, such as class? How do you measure class - income or wealth? How do you measure race? Why is a 1/8 black and 7/8 white considered black?

Or, do we like brochures to have lots of different colors like a Benneton advertisement? Is it a marketing strategy?

Has anyone demonstrated a higher level of academic discourse resulting from "diversity"? Or do we simply want to believe it because we like neopolitian ice cream sandwiches...Chinese food, rap music, and hot Latina chicks?