Volume CXXXIII, Number 16 February 27, 2004

Organic diversity

To the Editors:

As a non-white student at Bowdoin College, I am not interested in receiving pity or inciting guilt; rather, I am interested only in respect.

Events during the Black History Month coffeehouse at the Pub proved that Bowdoin is decisively lacking in the arena of respect. Stated bluntly, a particular enclave of white American students were clumsy enough to drop the ball of respect, acting distastefully and ignorantly. However, I am not interested in pointing fingers at these individuals. I believe the "average" Bowdoin student, white or non-white, concedes to the fallacious nature of the burlesque attitudes and commentary of our peers that Thursday night.

What I question is whether or not the "average" Bowdoin student is willing to conquer his/her own prejudices-or whether we are equipped with proper tools to respectfully articulate these differences. I don't mean whether we know enough politically-correct code words and phrases to mask our true thoughts and emotions, but rather if we are willing to discard blissful ignorance and challenge the stubborn monster of self-identity. For instance, does the "average" Bowdoin student understand the difference between racism, prejudice, and racial prejudice? Is it plausible to continue discourse even if we are implicated in racism? Do we understand the importance of defining these terms before white and non-white students can have productive conversation about race and class?

We have taken baby steps in the arena of respect far too long, and now we have to walk as mature men and women: even if this means boldly admitting and owning our prejudices. For me, this is not a radical approach-just the next step in our progression towards organic diversity. I use organic intentionally, meaning that diversity will never result from statistics but rather from respectful interactions between the lives of unique individuals.

Sincerely,

Jerry L. Edwards '04

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