International TA Program
Michigan State University
August 1994
Diversity, the Term
As you will hear it used locally, diversity is a new term for a very old and important subject -- social differences in American society.
Traditionally, the majority group in American society is considered to be a population of white European origin. Within the majority population males were traditionally considered to have authority over females. American society has also included a number of "minority" groups that Americans have considered to be different in some important way from the 'normal majority' white European population. Examples of key minority groups include:
- African Americans, native Americans, and Asian Americans thought to be distinguished from the majority by 'race';
- ethnic groupings like "Hispanics" distinguished from the majority population by language and culture
- handicapper Americans distinguished from the ablebodied majority population by having a significant physical handicap (e.g. blindness, partial physical paralysis, etc.)
- sexual preference, such as homosexual or lesbian orientation distinguished from the heterosexual orientation of the majority population
The term "diversity" is usually used to refer to these and other minority groups within American society that are different from the traditional majority. What unifies the different minorities is not just that they are each less numerous than the traditional white majority but more importantly that they are all thought to have social difficulties or disadvantages in their relationship with the majority population. Among other difficulties, members of American minority groups are sometimes thought to experience different types of bias and discrimination in their relations with the more powerful majority.
The phrase "diversity issues" is used to refer to aspects of the problematic relationship between the minorities and the 'mainstream' society of the majority. Frequently "diversity issues" are considered to include women's issues, since American women, whether of the majority population or not, as a group have been traditionally subject to the authority of males, and are considered to have suffered disadvantages because of their subordinate status.
Diversity and TAs at MSU
"Diversity" then refers to such matters of social differences, power, and discrimination in society. If you haven't already noticed this, you will find that diversity is a very live topic at American universities, including MSU. It is considered very important by administrators, faculty, and students alike. It is connected with America's most important social conflicts and with America's deepest values. The reason we are bring up this subject is that diversity at MSU is highly important to your work as an international TA.
For example, as a TA you need to be aware of university policies in regard to diversity -- that is, policies regarding proper treatment of women and minority students whom you teach. Many TAs may have strong personal feelings about some of the minority subgroups in American society and some of the issues regarding these groups. ITAs need to be aware that independent of their personal feelings on these matters, that according to federal and state law and university policy that they have a legal responsibility to give all students equal opportunity to learn in their classes and to avoid discrimination toward any students who are different. It is wise practically to be very careful about this. If a TA discriminates against individual minority or women students at MSU, those students may very well protest and bring a formal or informal complaint against the TA which can damage the TA's standing in his or her department and jeopardize the TA's continuing appointment.
There is much more to "diversity" and being a TA than complying with policy, avoiding discriminatory behavior toward students, and staying out of trouble. TAs who really wish to serve effectively as teachers will also be aware that in the U.S. having female or minority status can have an important effect on how welcome individual students feel in your class and well they are able to learn. TAs who want to teach well will recognize this and try to make all students feel comfortable and included in your class. This requires paying respectful attention to the different background and group affiliations of your students. As we will discuss more in a moment, MSU's mission historically has not been just to teach and support students who come from the comfortable majority population. MSU's commitment is for the full diversity of the Michigan population to be able to come to university and for the full diversity of its students to learn and grow to the utmost of their potential.
Thus, as a university employee you have a responsibility for adhering to the policy on diversity and you also have a kind of moral calling to respond to the spirit of these policies in your teaching, to honor the university's commitment to teach all students, no matter what the differences between them or between them and you, so that all students can grow and learn.
Diversity and American Nationhood
To appreciate the importance of diversity at MSU today, it is helpful to go back to the founding of the United States of America, to its constitution, and to the great historic tension between the American dream and the American reality.
The founding dream -- the promise of the American constitution that all men (persons) are created equal and should be guaranteed rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The reality -- the existence throughout American history of inequality and oppression in contradiction with the American dream; slavery, destruction of native Americans, legal and economic subordination of women, bigotry toward immigrants.
Social movements of protest and struggle to realize the American dream of equal and dignified treatment for all groups, including minorities that have been mistreated and excluded from full participation by the majority. Part of American history, ongoing today, seeking full participation, equal rights, and freedom from discrimination for all persons. Each such movement becomes a center of great public concern, generates conflict and resistance, drama and intense emotion.
The suffragist movement for women's rights and the continuing feminist movement
The great 'Negro' civil rights movement of the 1960s
The handicapper rights movement
The contemporary gay and lesbian movement
Traditionally much of America's social diversity has arisen through immigration, as one group after another has immigrated from "the old country" to become citizens and live in America. The "old immigrants" of the late 19th and early 20th century came mainly from Europe. When they first arrived, they seemed very different by language and culture from the English speaking population who had come before. At first they sometimes experienced some suspicion and hostility and mistreatment. But over time they assimilated and intermarried and became part of the 'mainstream.'
Physically, they were not that much different from the original settlers and blended in. America was able to see the diversity of the old immigrants as temporary, blending into the American melting pot.
More recently this has changed. We now have what is being called "a new immigration." The new immigrants often are physically different from the European blend that arose earlier. As before, the new immigrants experience difficulties in their relations with the old timers. What is new, however, is the possibility that the newcomers may not blend in or want to blend in to "the mainstream." The traditional majority can look out and see the prospect that the new immigration will produce a permanent diversity. Traditionally, the new, different groups have been classified as "minorities." Numerically, however, the proportion of "minorities" in the American population is increasing, and the projections are that the "white majority" might actually be in the process of becoming a minority.
These changes comprise a great challenge for the country. As more diversity arises, the problems of different groups getting along increase. How can the "majority" adjust to perhaps no longer being a majority. How can all American citizens, of so many diverse groups, reconcile their increasing diversity with the American dream that all persons, no matter what the differences between them, should have equal rights and dignity.
At least in part, the existence of this historical challenge is the reason why American universities like MSU take the topic of diversity so seriously.
Diversity and the University
Since the middle of the 19th century public education in America has been seen as a way of achieving the American dream. The public schools were support by taxes and intended to incorporate the immigrants and give all Americans equal opportunity. Many public universities were founded expressly to expand opportunity for ordinary citizens. MSU is an example. It was founded in the 1850s expressly as a vehicle for expanding social opportunity for the sons and daughters of the "agricultural and industrial classes" of Michigan.
In education, however, as in other parts of society, the reality has not matched the dream. Discrimination and exclusion of less privileged and minority groups from education has occurred. Historically, in the 19th century, women and minorities were systematically excluded from higher education.
Equal access to education has been a focus of ongoing struggle in American history. This applies especially to the sphere of public education supported by public tax dollars.
Equal opportunity in education was a major goal of the American protest movements on behalf of minority groups.
After WWII, as public tax supported U.S. higher education grew, protest movements demanded that the government require that universities provide minorities and excluded groups with equal access. The government founders required, as a matter of public policy, that university provide all groups with equal opportunity. Though especially intense in America's southern states, where slavery once existed, the struggle for access to public universities by 'under-represented groups' extended throughout the nation.
The public universities themselves took initiatives to include more of the excluded groups in higher education. Federal and state legislation was passed subjecting universities to lawsuits and withdrawal of state funds, if they discriminate against minorities in admissions and treatment.
In addition to measures to assure equal opportunity for all groups, legislation was also passed to give minority groups special protection against discrimination and special assistance in education. This is called the policy of affirmative action, intended to correct the historical cycle of mistreatment contrary to the founding promises of our constitution. Affirmative action legislation applies to what are called protected classes. Presently protected classes under federal and state legislation are - native Americans, blacks, Hispanics, women, handicappers, Asian-Pacific Americans. Increasingly though a powerful contemporary social movement, lesbian and homosexual (gay) Americans are seeking similar legal protection against mistreatment within the university.
Diversity at MSU Today
The patterns we have described regarding diversity in America generally, and in U.S. higher education, all are reflected at MSU today.
MSU has a diverse studentbody, composed of all the social groups in Michigan
As in the rest of America, the diversity of the MSU studentbody is increasing and is expected to increase further in the future.
MSU is committed by legislation and its policies to equal opportunity and affirmative action. In keeping with its history, it is committed to providing higher education for all the diverse groups of Michigan population. The university administration and faculty have taken initiative to increase support for diverse groups in studying, working and succeeding at MSU.
In keeping with its policies and with federal and state legislation, MSU has many committees and special programs and offices for protected groups. If you look through the university phone directory or read the campus paper, you will find an abundance of groups and offices and programs for the minority groups and women. The campus also has a campus judicial system which can intervene in case of mistreatment of protected groups to correct instances of harassment and discrimination.
As the studentbody's diversity increases, the challenges of different groups getting along also increase. There are incidents of bias and conflict on campus, regarding gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, and handicapper status.
MSU also continues to be an arena for social protest to expand educational opportunity for excluded groups. Women's groups, black students, and gay and lesbian students have all been active in recent years on campus in seeking more respect and support for their groups.
Along with the more dramatic incidents and moments, MSU has many quieter accomplishments and efforts to support education for all kinds of people.
Overall, then, it is not accidental that you as a TA are formally required under university policy to avoid discrimination against women and minorities and give all students equal opportunity to learn. It is also not accidental that many at the university will ask you to take account of the social differences between your students, and seek to make students of all groups and genders feel welcome and comfortable in your classroom. Both the policies and the spirit behind them have a long history in American society. They are part of its effort to deal with its greatest injustices and keep its highest promises.
These Notes are used in the International TA Orientation.