PSYCHOLOGISTS say that people often see what they want or expect to see -- that somehow, our preconceptions tend to bear themselves out to us, while others may perceive the same thing totally differently. This fact makes any discussion about "diversity," be it on Grounds or in our society as a whole, difficult. People look at the same thing -- the University community -- and see it very differently because of their respective personal backgrounds or expectations they bring to the table. These expectations deal directly with the current issue of diversity on Grounds and how various factions of the community perceive it being addressed (or not). The pro- and anti-"diversity training" talk implicitly acknowledges -- indeed, is borne out of -- a problem that has not yet been clearly defined. Rather, what is clear is that race relations at the University, though far from perfect, are not in the dismal shape that some would like to claim.
To hear some talk about the University, you'd think we were still living in the 19th century. Shrill accusations by some nutcases that the University is a "bastion of white supremacy" or a "plantation" taint any productive discourse about what relations between white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, Filipino, etc., students are really like. Overreaction and hype about racialized non-issues like last year's "Medallion party" have created the impression in many minds around Grounds that racism is a widespread, pervasive and common problem among students. One tacit message conveyed is, of course, that racism is only a problem on the part of white students.
While the alleged assault on Student Council President Daisy Lundy last semester was a devastating shock to anyone who holds optimistic views about student relations on Grounds and the blackface incident at a Kappa Alpha party reflected abysmally poor judgment and insensitivity on the part of a very few, students must seriously ask themselves this question: To what extent do those two actions reflect the values and convictions of our community as a whole? Does this really mean that, say, David Duke's agenda is represented at our University (as has recently been suggested)?
The answer is very clearly "no." The outpouring of support for Lundy and the concurrent tangible disgust among the student body that such a crime could be committed here and now was proof that "hate is not a U.Va. value." But even beyond that exceptional show of University unity, it's hard to say with certainty that significant problems exist in regards to everyday student interracial relations. Simply put, the University's atmosphere is not an especially tense place -- racially or otherwise. "Self-segregation," if you prefer to call it that, obviously exists; but how much more so than in society in general? Does the University of Virginia somehow suffer more acutely from "self-segregation" than other universities or communities elsewhere? Do white, black, Asian, Arab and Hispanic students feel stifled interacting with one another on a day-to-day basis or suffer from real disadvantages here because of their race?
When anyone expects or is told to expect to encounter racism, it's safe to say they shall not fail. This might go along way to explain why a large portion -- likely a majority -- of the student body, mostly those who have never needed to worry about suffering from racism, has a hard time believing that "mandatory diversity training" is really necessary. That wording used is also a factor -- no specific "training" idea has yet been adopted for President John T. Casteen III's diversity initiative, and the concept of a compulsory online quiz is probably a remote possibility because of its limited efficacy. Nonetheless, it stretches plausibility to claim that the many hundreds of students who have signed the Individual Rights Coalition's petition against "mandatory diversity training" are simply unable to "see" the rampant racism at the University or that they're all coldheartedly turning a blind eye. Rather, the colossal "problem" with diversity, race relations or whatever it is that allegedly exists at the University simply isn't that obvious -- if it exists at all.
If there are to be steps taken, incorporating values of diversity more strongly into existing first-year orientation workshops -- as was done this year -- is the most effective and minimally intrusive way to go. But activists for more ambitious projects will eventually have to confront the fact that many people on Grounds rightly do not recognize any rampant epidemic of racism in our community. Give us all -- and the University -- some credit. Racism is not a U.Va. value.
(Blair Reeves's column appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at breeves@cavalierdaily.com.)
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