Diversity is one of the key components that shape the identity of the campus. In the circumstances of the growing role of diversity and respect for various vulnerable groups, one shall bear in mind that diversity is a critical factor for contributing to the healthy environment on campus. To answer the question why diversity is important, one shall look at the benefits it creates.
According to the Oxford Dictionaries, the given definition for diversity is listed as ‘the state of being diverse’ as well as ‘a range of different things’. The term listed in the Oxford Dictionary is commonly used in different circumstances due to its universal applicability to organizations and to the university settings. In the context of educational settings, diversity means a complex of factors that unite students and professors coming from different countries, representing different educational backgrounds and different sexes. Hence, diversity provides a solid background for creating the space where everyone would feel comfortable living and studying, and would feel comfortable to make their contributions.
First of all, campus is the place that unites students of different educational backgrounds. Also, some students come from different countries and contribute to the better perception and better understanding of the meaning of diversity as such. Besides that, diversity creates various benefits, which may happen to be neglected. For instance, the setting of diversity teaches people to value otherness. If a university is truly diverse, individuals studying there would feel more relaxed to make their differences more visible, so that others can learn from that. Moreover, if a student is located in the diverse background, he can constantly communicate with their colleagues, ask questions about their background and participate in the events that teach how to cherish diversity. Therefore, the scope of benefits of diversity is much larger than one can think in the first place.
While analyzing my class settings, diversity is implemented in the variety of ways. On one hand, I can note the freedom of expression is conveyed through the diversity in the representation of the individuals of different nationalities. In fact, there is a balance between the representatives of different nationalities, which adds an additional value for our class functioning. Furthermore, in the class settings we enjoy the ability to exchange ideas and exchange the views on different cultural phenomena, as these aspects differ for representatives of different nationalities. Thus, for me, diversity is absolutely necessary to understand the multitude of existing perceptions in order to think more critically as well as analyze the reality in different terms.
In the college settings, it is absolutely important to address diversity as it comprises the key aspect for understanding the world and what’s given in there. Moreover, it is important to pursue diversity not only in terms of the nationalities but also consider social aspect. For instance, if students come from a different background, sometimes they may not feel comfortable, as their financial situation is not as stable as that of the colleagues living much longer in the United States. In essence, addressing diversity in the college settings provides additional opportunities for building a more equal society where those who belong to minorities would be put in the equal educational settings. For the majority of students, diversity comprises a necessary step for rethinking the identity and is instrumental for understanding the world and its multitude of ideas better.
The given readings emphasize different aspects of diversity and their respective applicability. For instance, one of the critical notions that was listed in the readings concerns comparison of diversity to equality. Often, people do not regard these two notions as interlinked, but essentially diversity also implies referring to equality, too. Hence, the ability to link diversity with other notions is also an important feature which one could apply in the classroom. Therefore, diversity should be cherished for the amount of opportunities it creates. The readers could also analyze various aspects of absence of diversity in those circumstances when it is granted to the audience.
While reading Cashin’s essay, I certainly challenged my beliefs about the diversity. Prior to reading the essay, I did not think about diversity as the critically important factor for ensuring that individuals appreciate the circumstances of where they live and where they study. Besides that, my position was certainly upheld as I did not take the factual information as something related to me. Having read the essay, I realized that the notion of diversity is much broader than it may seem on the first place. Therefore, in the context of the challenging political circumstances, I would think of diversity as the essential element for my further life. The argumentation presented in the piece certainly enriched my ideas and my perception of diversity, too. Besides that, I would certainly recommend this essay to be read by everyone who is engaged in the university circumstances.
Overall, the notion of diversity in the university circumstances is not as universal as it may seem in the first place. Some politicians speculate with diversity and wish to restrict the rights of those who may be engaged in the debate on that matter. Hence, diversity is very much needed in the university circumstances as people do not appreciate it in its entirety. Having participated in the debate on that topic, I would do my best to ensure that everyone understands what really lies in that notion.
- Century, 5. “5 Reasons Why Diversity Is Important In The 21St Century – AMP Global Youth”. AMP Global Youth. N.p., 2017. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.
- “Diversity – Definition Of Diversity In English | Oxford Dictionaries”. Oxford Dictionaries | English. N.p., 2017. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.
- Diversity, The and Sarah T. “The Importance And Benefits Of Diversity | Teen Essay On The Environment”. Teenink.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.