When Diversity Discriminates

Written by Daniel on February 13, 2008 – 8:45 pm -

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As many of you may recall, among my many hats is my continuing column at The Warrior, Marquette’s independent student newspaper. We have a new issue out today (awesome cover story on Marquette students with significant others serving in our nation’s military), and my column is pasted below for all yall who won’t see a paper copy of the paper:

The Division of Student Affairs has a new “Diversity Advocates” program by which faculty and staff can declare their offices “safe spaces.” Professors invite students from vulnerable populations, such as racial minorities or LGBT students, to a “safe space” from the hostility on campus to discuss their feelings. Such a “safe space” will be denoted by a particular placard on the faculty member’s door.

Perhaps this is a logical extension of the much-ballyhooed “Hate Free Community” signs in the dorms. I have my doubts about that whole endeavor too.

My point here, though, is to discuss the discriminatory impact of the program amongst the faculty, staff and administrators of Marquette. Essentially, this placard becomes the sign that says, “I am on board with the Administration’s diversity efforts. I am part of the politically correct coalition.” In short, it says, “Promote me. You can trust me to push the liberal agenda.”

Conversely, when a faculty member fails to put up the “Diversity Advocates” placard, it also communicates a message. “I am NOT on board with the politically correct agenda.” While some professors may already be “out” as conservatives within the University community as a whole or just within their own departments, it may not be so in all cases, and it may not be so in a formal way.

But if these placards become popular, to the point where all professors but the conservatives have them, watch out. When it comes time to select department chairs, vote on tenure or appoint people to committees, expect retaliation from leftist elements of the Administration and faculty.

You may wonder, “Who but an intolerant bigot would refuse to be a diversity advocate?”

Well, someone who believes the teachings of the Bible and Church on homosexuality mean that they cannot affirm the homosexual lifestyle.

Or someone who feels that the Great Commission calls them to share the good news of the Christian Gospel rather than to affirm non-Christian beliefs.

Or someone who believes that University policies should be grounded in principles like merit and equality and not liberal theories of race consciousness or white/heterosexual/male privilege.

Of course, these are precisely the professors certain left-wing elements of the faculty and administration would like to identify.

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Posted in Marquette Golden Chickens, The Warrior Within |

4 Comments to “When Diversity Discriminates”

  1. Aaron Says:
    February 14th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    Thanks for the link!

  2. mu socialist Says:
    February 14th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    I’m glad that if someone on campus treated me with disrespect because I’m gay or because I’m a woman, I could come into your office and you could tell me I deserved it, Daniel.

    There’s a difference between agreeing with someone, and not being a total jackass. People getting harassed and made to feel uncomfortable in what is supposed to be their home and school for four years is inexcusable, no matter WHAT. And having faculty members publicly say that they’re available to talk to if someone is telling them that they’re going straight to hell when all they’re trying to do is go straight to class, is a necessary part of cura personalis.

  3. Robert Henak (Brandon's Uncle) Says:
    February 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    I always find it interesting what self-proclaimed “Christians” choose to cite from their bible and what they choose to ignore. They choose to focus on the supposed ban on homosexuality (which is actually just a ban on certain religious rituals) while ignoring the whole “love your neighbor” and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” thing. The latter, of course, is what you so-called conservatives derisively refer to as “political correctness.”

  4. Faultline USA Says:
    February 18th, 2008 at 11:13 am

    That was a very thought-provoking and courageous article. We would like to feature this article on our blog. Consider joining the Christians Against Leftist Heresy blogroll at http://christiansagainstleftistheresy.blogspot.com/

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