“Diversity” and Discomfort at UVa

M. Rick Turner, the University of Virginia’s Dean of African American Affairs, is not known for a mild manner or light touch. Last February, in the midst of the uproar over the alleged attack on Daisy Lundy, the bi-racial candidate for student council president, Dean Turner used a university list server to send emails to all black UVa students urging them to vote for Ms. Lundy.

But Dean Turner, an ex officio member of the University’s new commission set up in the wake of the Lundy affair to study race relations on Grounds (campus to you), is nothing if not refreshingly blunt. No mealy-mouthed euphemisms for him. He was quoted in today’s Charlottesville Daily Progress on the work of the commission:

“I don’t like the word ‘diversity’ because it kind of weakens the issue,” Turner [stated]. “The issue is race. The issue is color.”

Listening to another Dean, Angela Davis, co-chair of the commission, one can almost sympathize with Turner.

Davis said the commission also must consider other marginalized groups, including women and gays. “Are there areas where people do not feel included?” she asked. “I’m not concerned if a Greek house has all black students. I’m concerned if students are uncomfortable pledging a house.”

We certainly can’t have a university where anyone feels uncomfortable.

Say What?