Newsweek recently named American University the sixth most diverse college in the nation. Although we are proud to be recognized for the diversity that we do have, we, along with other AU students, were shocked by this ranking.
According to Newsweek, the racial profile of AU consists of 5 percent Asian, 4 percent African-American and 4 percent Latino students. In Newsweek’s study, diversity is measured in terms of ethnicity, geographic origin, economic status, sexual orientation, and gender. We are all aware of the female gender majority here at AU and we are honored that many international students choose to study on our campus. Furthermore, AU has also gained a reputation as a “gay-friendly” university and earned praise from The Advocate for its positive atmosphere for queer students.
Each of these aspects of diversity are highly valuable and not to be diminished. However, can AU truly be considered a diverse campus without racial diversity and integration? At AU, we pride ourselves on our open-minded and politically active campus, yet we are limiting our progress as an institution with a lack of racial diversity and integration. What narrow racial diversity that does exist at AU is tempered by a distinct separation of students on campus.
This is evident in the greek system, the student activist community and the broader social context of our campus as a whole. For example, it seems historically black sororities and fraternities have been less integrated into the dominant greek community.
We’ve noticed this type of separation within our own close friends and broader social circles. In these aspects, areas of student life at AU lack racial diversity, making it clear that we as students face issues of segregation within our very own institution.
This is an important issue for AU to focus on in upcoming years. We should take advantage of the existing, although limited, racial diversity that AU offers and work to increase it in order to undermine racism as a system of oppression. This will enrich our experiences here as AU students and will better prepare us for our post-college lives.
In approaching the issue, we want to emphasize crossing racial lines and opening discussion among all students. Race is important in the world outside of AU, and our generation is tasked with confronting the ingrained white privilege that exists in our country. We must form relationships and have personal experiences with others in order to improve the current racial inequalities of our country. White people should be aware of privileges and recognize their responsibility in helping to combat racism. To be silent about racial issues makes us complicit. We pride ourselves at AU in our passion for social injustice, so please speak out now. To proceed, we encourage you all to leave comments or write to us about your perspective on racial issues at AU. We have spent this semester noticing, questioning, and analyzing racial issues in our White Privilege & Social Justice class. We want to continue talking about racial segregation on our campus and find some answers by hearing from our fellow students, professors, and faculty. Do you see this issue in your own circle of friends and in your social life? What about in classes and in your involvement with campus activities? How can we make changes as individuals and as a collective student body to help our campus integrate?
Emily Parker Junior, College of Arts and Sciences
Riva Warrilow Junior, School of International Service
