I
must admit I had a head start in diversity training.My
religion, the Baha’i Faith, has provided for me an excellent lens through
which to view humanity.All my beliefs
and feelings about difference and unity stem from my religion, and I cannot
discuss diversity without first mentioning the Baha’i Faith.My
beliefs are thus carried with me throughout every endeavor, whether religious
or secular.
Secondary
but no less important to the development of my feelings on diversity are
my experiences at the University of Washington in the Geography department.It
is here I learned to see the world through the eyes of others, even more
than I had before simply because I could quantify those views and analyze
and explore them within an academic setting.Probably
most central to this were my studies in Geography 230: Urbanization in
Developing Nations, Geography 431: Geography and Gender, and a Special
Topics class: US Urban Ethnicity.I
will discuss each of these classes below.
Geography
230 is the archetype “otherness” class.It
conveys the extent to which Western nations have shaped and impeded the
progress of other countries in the name of capitalism and urbanization.Before
this class I had no idea how commodity chains could reach so far and affect
so many, or how my own patterns of consumption help to shape those chains.The
class demands an appreciation for the lives of those in urbanizing nations,
and reflectance on the ridiculous materialism we are so accustomed to in
the United States.I strongly feel
that the most important component of a well-rounded diversity schema is
understanding the hows and whys of culture and identity.Geography
230 has provided that for me in a global context.
US
Urban Ethnicity, taught by Mark Ellis, provided the local, national context
for understanding culture and identity by describing the history of ethnic
and racial experiences in America, as well as the present and future states
of ethnic compositions across the nation.This
class was perhaps more immediately useful as a tool for shaping one’s views
on diversity because it deals with people and situations with which one
is likely to have daily experience.Overall
this class fostered a deeper understanding for the experiences of other
ethnicities in America, and helped to dispel any personal feelings bred
by misunderstanding.Again, focusing
on the ‘others’ of this world is what makes this class so useful.
Geography
431 combined national and international experiences, describing the lives
of women within the context of a male-dominated world.It
serves the same purpose for shaping diversity as the above two classes,
but describes a different aspect of diversity.I
won’t bother with the specifics of this class suffice to say that focusing
on the experiences of others is why this class is important.
There
is indeed a theme: making sure one is familiar with others in order to
prevent the spread of unfair and inaccurate stereotypes.This
is what I feel the most important component of a view on diversity is,
but it is not mine alone.During
the session with Geography alumni on April 19, each alumnus stressed that
in order to prepare others for a diverse work environment, one must first
interact with others.This is the
most valuable aspect of college on many levels, but certainly regarding
diversity.Simply the opportunity
to take part in classes like those above has forever augmented my views
on diversity for the better, but unfortunately this seems to be the extent
to which diversity is officially dealt with in the classroom.[1]I
wish I could say that specific people and situations have shaped my views
on diversity at the University of Washington, but this is just not the
case.Until diversity requirements
are enjoined at the University of Washington, opportunity is our strongest
weapon.Geography has done a stellar
job by offering such opportunity, but more needs to be done.I
believe this CTP study to be an excellent opportunity in and of itself
to take advantage of the diversity gap at the university level.With
luck we can make the most of it.