Continuing discussion of intolerance
Yuing Zhao
Editor’s note: This article, continuing on a piece published initially on Oct. 7, is in response to the piece “Rethink Campus Tolerance” on Sept. 16.
The college has put in an enormous effort to promote diversity. As an international student, I enjoy the activities that are organized to welcome international students and promote intercultural understanding. Many international students would also share similar opinions on these subjects. These are all the great things which made me willing to defend our campus’ diversity situation. I haven’t personally experienced any harassment during my first two years here.
Recently, it has been a hot topic to discuss the harassment that has occurred on Beall Avenue. However, I just want to emphasize that not just some of the townspeople, but students too, are being very disrespectful on campus. When the International Student Association hosts dinners in the Lowry Ball Room, there are frequent such comments from fellow students, “Oh, man, those f***ing internationals blocked half of Lowry again.” It is instances like this which I feel are fundamentally unacceptable.
Maybe it is the fact that I was off-campus that caused this shock in completely different perception, but I feel it may be my former bubble lifestyle. A lot of students are in a similar position where we were, or still are, unaware of a lot of the intolerable behaviors on campus. To some people, being unaware may reflect a good situation, which implies such incidences are not that prevalent yet. However, the unawareness may also be interpreted as a sign of lack of concern about such issues.
If you are living in an either secluded or privileged group, why would you care? It is the same reason people care about human rights issues around the world; certain things are considered wrong and to sustain human society, such issues must be understood and addressed. If you are less of an idealist, here is a pragmatic reason why you should care: if the situation does not get improved, it might cause damage to yourself in a way you never anticipated. I definitely do not want this article to be considered as a mere complaint. To the victims of bigotry, please do not be afraid to stand up for yourself, or stand up against your friend when principles are involved. Fear engenders misbehaving.
For students who were unaware of this issue, I challenge you to explore it. By spreading the concern, hopefully one day they will reach the ears of the offenders. For different student groups that deal with diversity issues, it’s a good idea to reach out to student bodies that may be drastically different than your normal members. By encouraging people to communicate better, hostility may be reduced.
There are several questions we can all reflect on: Why is it that the college has a very good tradition in increasing the diversity of the student body, but the students are not able to keep up with it, or live up to the definition of real diversity? What kind of dialogue will help address the issue? Whether it is possible that, by creating a better ethical environment on campus, even though a quarter of the student body is replaced every year, we will still be able to maintain a community that is less hostile, less prejudiced and more respectful than the larger society?
I hope by bringing up these issues, people will reflect on them and make these changes. I hope we readjust the diversity of this campus to the right track. In a country where “all men are created equal,” it took a long time before “men” started to include “women,” and a longer time before “men” started to include African Americans. Maybe it will take another long period of time for “men” to start to include non-citizens, non-English speakers, Asians, Muslims, LGBT people and all the marginalized populations. We can only hope that it will not take too long, but without your help, we can only wish.