Diversity problem?

Does St. Thomas have a diversity problem or not? The truth is, we all see our surroundings differently based on, well, everything. Where we’ve lived, our race, our privilege, how we are seen, our misfortunes, who we extend ourselves to, who we avoid, etc. I think this is where confusion starts. Instead of answering this question based on our own experiences, try answering this question through the view of every individual person on campus. If you really, truly take time to try to do this, you will realize this is an impossible feat to accomplish with a single correct answer. It’s an opinion that everyone answers differently.

Yes, racism is a struggle some students face

As a freshman, I experienced some shock coming to St. Thomas. I wasn’t expecting racism or macroaggressions because I came from a high school that was around 75 percent white, according to Niche.com. St. Thomas is around 81 percent white, also according to Niche.com, and I experienced more acts of racism in the first two weeks at St. Thomas than I did in all four years of high school. I was talking to one of my friends about this, and he even admitted he knows friends of color who avoid campus outside of their classes because they don’t feel welcome.

My first experience was in my own dorm. It was the first week of school, so naturally I always found myself talking with a new group of people. In this situation, three girls and I were talking as I was on my laptop. I wasn’t paying much attention to the conversation they were having until one of the girls was coming to the climax of her story: “Then, we walk in the Starbucks, and it was just full of (insert any race here) people. So, we obviously had to find another Starbucks to go to. It was so annoying,” she said. I froze.

I intruded in the conversation. “Excuse me, what did you say?” I asked.

“Well, we had to go to another Starbucks,” she replied.

“Yes, but why?”

“Those people are just really rude.”

“Wait, what? Why are you generalizing an entire race like that?” I asked.

She didn’t try to argue; she simply dismissed me by saying “whatever” and going back to talking to her other friends. So many thoughts were running through my mind, like, “Wait, I have more to say,” and, “Really? You couldn’t handle being a minority for more than a few seconds?” But with the overwhelming feeling that I was going to cry, I left my room.
The frustrating thing is, the very next week I experienced something similar from a close friend, and then again a few weeks later, and then again. Just the other day as I walked from OEC to Dowling alone with my headphones in, three big guys passed by me, one intentionally running in front of me and pushing my shoulder. I can’t help but wonder if this was because of my race. This is a part of some students’ daily lives and if it’s not a part of yours, I have one word for you: privilege.

Solving the problem

Saying that there isn’t racial tension or a diversity problem is one-sided and, in my opinion, not true. This opinion completely dismisses the views of someone who has actually had to deal with racism or the feeling of being different. Instead of saying with confidence that there is no problem, trying to understand why someone feels differently can open your eyes to your privilege, their struggle, the injustice that comes with this and the beauty that diversity brings. I challenge all students to open their minds and consider how others experience the same situation as yourself.

The topic of race is uncomfortable. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Call it what you want: your race, your heritage, your culture, your background. They’re all words for something much bigger: your identity, something that runs through your veins. Identity to me is something that should be embraced, so embrace yours and others.

One great way to do this is by getting involved with the different events the wonderful people over at Student Diversity and Inclusion Services put on for everyone. My favorites have been Africa Night and Saudi Night. You can also join clubs. I’m a part of a new club, Asian Students in America, which welcomes students of all backgrounds to join and celebrate Asian culture.

Another important thing to do, which I have tried to get better at, is saying what you need to say. Don’t hold back after someone says something that hurts you or could hurt anyone. This is called using your privilege, which we all have in different ways. As someone who doesn’t look too much like any specific race, I feel that I can blend in with many groups, which is comfortable for many people. I think this is why people don’t hold back if they’re going to say something racially or culturally insensitive in front of me. Because of this, I have to use my privilege a lot. This is new for me, and something I wished I would have done more in situations like the one during the first week of school.

Instead of running away because I was going to cry, now I always try to stay in the situation and bring it from negative to positive. The awkward silence is there for a reason. Fill it up with your voice, even if it’s shaky. Because you are powerful.

*Sunita Dharod is employed with TommieMedia as a photojournalist.