The other day, I was discussing the college process with some friends in our common room. We discussed whether we applied to east or west coast schools, liberal arts colleges, public universities, or even if we were going to take gap years. One of my friends turned to me and asked, “Dominique, did you ever consider a HBCU?” (Historically black college or university). I looked at him quizzically, “No, not really.” My friend followed up on my response and asked why, with which I responded, “There wouldn’t be enough diversity”. He nodded, and we continued to go on with our conversation about why the college process is horrible, of course. But, as the conversation went on I thought about how much is “too much” diversity, or “not enough,” or “the right amount?”
Essentially when universities and colleges are trying to build their classes each fall and winter, they look for the “right amount” of diversity. Filling these quotas implies finding students of not only different races and ethnicities, but students from obscure regions of the country and world, the tuba players, the professional bowlers, students who were home-schooled or went to private school, the list goes on and on, but as a school looks to fill quotas and want to “diversify” their incoming class as much as they can, where is the line drawn? Where do the intentions of increasing diversity within a school change from attempting to actually expose students to those different than themselves to checking off boxes?
What is often found within the college process is that many schools look for kids that fill in these boxes, but once their class is finalized and made up of “diverse” students, there is no action taken to make the community an inclusive one. According to U.S. News, “Diversity” is supposed to augment our worldview, boost our social development, expose us to what the world around us is like, or even promote creative thinking. All of these points are valid, the real world is not made up of one type of person, and neither are most colleges and universities. It is unrealistic to only be exposed to people of the same socio-economic status, race, or geographic region. But, if no action is taken towards making the school environment less divided, students will essentially keep to those who are similar to themselves, prohibiting themselves from experiencing the positive effects of diversity.
As young, bright-eyed, eager students, we should want to better ourselves by exposing ourselves to everyone and everything possible. But, differences are hard to embrace in new environments, especially when you are accustomed to the same type of people. There is value to being with people who are similar to you as well, it doesn’t necessarily “enhance self-awareness” or “expands worldliness,” but it does harbor a special sense of community. Being a part of a community that has similar struggles and triumphs brings you closer to understanding your identity and place in the world. This is something young adults look for the second they step foot on their university’s campus, most people want to find “their people.” So, where is the “happy medium” between finding “your crowd” and diversifying that crowd?
Finding a correct way to embrace those around you who are different and maintain connections with those who are similar is not simple. Colleges and universities attempt to “enhance our worldview” for us, but the real action is determined by how we act within our diverse environments. I’ll admit growing up in communities that were less diverse than I would have preferred, I craved a mix of people similar to me. I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve wanted people who were just like me, down to wearing the same clothes and talking the same way. At the same time, I’ve also wanted to have friends and know people who were the complete opposite of myself. But finding the mix between these two mentalities is where true diversity ensues. There will never be an environment that is completely diverse and completely inclusive — it’s seemingly impossible. There is not a correct algorithm or equation to solve the issue, but as we progress and strive to become more informed and socially aware members of society, looking for our “diverse medium” is what will truly fill the quotas.
