Is diversity simply a question of numbers?

A panel of student representatives from several diversity-related student groups attempted to challenge the current definition of diversity by posing and discussing such questions in front of an audience of about 35 students at the Atrium in Stamp Student Union yesterday.

The Black Honors Caucus sponsored the event, designed to reach across cultural lines and start a dialogue between leading student groups, which often share similar experiences but rarely communicate them. SGA President Emma Simson joined panelists from the Asian American Student Union, the Black Student Union, the Latino Student Union and the Pride Alliance to question whether the university is doing enough to facilitate cross-cultural initiatives and how they could be improved.

All over admissions brochures, the university boasts a 34 percent minority population: “We count diversity among our greatest strengths,” says the newest university new brochure highlighting the institution’s diversity initiatives.

It features vignettes of the campus population, including a timeline that marks specific strides such as the 1971 opening of the Nyumburu Cultural Center.

AASU president junior Jen Park says there is no question the university is diverse in numbers, but she wonders if there is something more to the story.

According to the panelists, many of the strides in making the campus more diverse – like the establishment of an Asian American studies program – were driven by students who had to drag the university behind them.

LSU president Javier Montenegro says a disconnect exists between what the university says about itself and what actually occurs between students. He says that too often the ethnic communities on the campus practice “self-segregation,” alienating themselves from each other.

“They are nice catalogs with colors and pictures of brown and black people, but where do we go from there?” said Montenegro.

BSU president junior Darla Bunting agreed, saying, “The university had made strides to improve diversity, and it is a model for other universities. However, with all these people together, how do we learn from each other?”

Panelists agreed that the university could do more to facilitate and support programs that encourage interactions between students of different backgrounds.

“I would like to see President Mote attend a Black Student Union meeting,” said Bunting.

Simson suggested improving the university’s CORE diversity requirements by forcing students to enroll in at least one of the dialogue classes that discuss culture, sexuality or race.

Roberto Munster, director of student grous for the SGA, also challenged students to step out of their ethnic bubbles. “It is important that we all try to participate in cultures outside our own. It is hard, but it is rewarding. I challenge everyone in the next week to attend an event from a culture different from your own.”

Midway through the program, the audience had a chance to pose questions and make comments to the panel. Though the questioners were largely minorities, Dave Jones, a self-described 54-year-old, blue collar white man and an adviser to the LSU, pointed out that people among the dominant groups want to help as well.

“I am the other,” Jones said. “But, keep in mind that there are people out there who are tolerant of other cultures. There are people like me who can be your allies.”

Junior finance major and president of the Black Honors Caucus Nicole West encouraged students to continue the dialogue in their classes, homes and communities.

One of the last students to speak, Hispanic Heritage Coalition Vice President Jorge Cabezas, moved the focus of the discussion from what can be done to what will be done.

“If you’re ready to make change, I’m ready to follow.”

Contact staff writer Arelis Hernandez at hernandezdbk@gmail.com.