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Show page 24 lessons, Spring/Summer 2002 However, I am doing that more and more, not about "black" issues, but other groups, which I hope will get the person to generalize that these thoughts and behaviors can do harm to different groups. Do people give you preferential treatment? What does this make you think? I used to joke that students would not challenge many of my comments because they would just think, "Oh, so that is how black people think about the topic." I've actually feared that some people may not be as critical of me as they could be, due to a fear of being called prejudiced in some situations. However, I do not think people have been out to give me preferential treatment. Have you ever used your cultural differences to your advantage? In the classroom? Interesting question. Actually, I have as a teaching tool, not to gain something for myself. As one of my good friends and colleagues here says to me, "let the blackness out" because it is something I can bring to my teaching and research that others in our department cannot do. Thus, some of the assumptions made about issues, I do not have because my perspective is different. I try to get that across in my teaching and in my training of graduate students. Then again, I may have some other assumptions or biases that I do not question. Hopefully, those will be made aware of to me through interactions with other people. Do you think there's an advantage to a lack of diversity? Simply, the answer is no. I feel strongly that having a lack of diversity, or at least exposure to diversity, helps perpetuate stereotypes and prejudice. It can lead to dehumanizing people and groups much easier because "they are all the same." It is a lack of knowledge, which as an educator, I view as more dangerous than having lots of knowledge. No two people are exactly the same; thus we always have some diversity. It helps our world grow together in more peaceful ways if we can recognize and understand that people are different. That is not to say we all have to be the same or think alike. It is being able to appreciate and respect differences that will help us "all get along" together. To me, a first step in that process is exposure to diversity, in all its shapes, sizes, hues, etc. What do you like most about the U? The least? The people that I have gotten to know over the past seven years are what I probably like the most about the U. As mentioned before, I have great friends and colleagues on campus among staff, faculty and students. Ranked with that has to be the opportunities and challenges I see regarding diversity issues on campus. A few years ago, I turned down a very attractive offer at a school near where I grew up, and did so in large part because I believe that my work can make a difference here in Utah. I would have been one of three or four African-American psychologists in the department and would have worked with more underrepresented students at the other school. Then again, if I had left, there would not have been an African-American psychology faculty member at the U, plus I am helping to recruit more underrepresented students here. If people keep leaving while the University is trying to build in those areas, how are we going to grow? The thing I have liked the least here is something that is not unique to the U, but seems to be in many places, and that is a struggle to deal with diversity issues at different levels on campus. It seems that when the discussion comes up, people draw battle lines (myself included at times) and turn it into a fight of fairness or who did what to "my people." I would like to see a real commitment to strengthen and discuss diversity on campus, not fight over who gets what and how much. I think the U does have some unique opportunities due to the "divide," as the Salt Lake Tribune called it) regarding religion. Here, people who may not feel like a minority in many parts of the country do say they are viewed that way in Utah. It may be a starting point for all of us to recognize that we are different and discuss how that may translate among different groups of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, even regions of the United States. What do you think could be done to improve the atmosphere for a diverse university community? I would like to see more communication among groups- not to blame and be blamed, but to come up with frank and honest discussion about issues of diversity. As a black, heterosexual, Catholic man, I should not just speak out against prejudice regarding African-Americans, but I should be standing up for women, sexual minorities, Hispanics and Latinos/as, Native Americans, Muslims, Jews, Latter-day Saints, etc. If that becomes our goal, then maybe we can stop organized hate groups, like the National Alliance, from coming to Utah and saying that we are "ripe" for their message of hatred and bigotry. I feel strongly that having a lack of diversity (or at least exposure to diversity) helps perpetuate stereotypes and prejudice. It can lead to dehumanizing people and groups much easier because "they are all the same." It is a lack of knowledge, which as an educator, I view as more dangerous than having lots of knowledge. |