The Shape of Diversity

Abstract

Introduction to a Special JHE Issue W.E.B. DuBois argued that the greatest problem of the twentieth century was the problem of the color line. Today, in the beginning of the twenty-first century, we are still grappling with issues of race, but whereas DuBois and others saw the problem as a black/white dichotomy, today's panorama of diversity issues include race, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability. At the beginning of the new millennium colleges and universities are placed in the position of either advocating greater democratic participation and social equity or regressing to an older model of privilege for certain groups. Indeed, the erosion of open admissions, affirmative action, and developmental learning threaten to return colleges and universities to the kind of sharp demarcation that concerned DuBois--not a demarcation between black and white but instead between the privileged and the unprivileged. In their attempt to become microcosms of the larger society, college and universities must constantly undersc ore the importance of diversity in higher education. As part of that effort the Journal of Higher Education joins the American Association of Higher Education in recognizing the significance of diversity within American colleges and universities. AAHE's first national conference in the new millennium is entitled Form a Perfect Union--Diversity & Learning. To commemorate that event, JHE has joined AAHE by bringing to the higher education community a special issue on diversity. Since its inception, JHE has provided its readers and the nation the latest research in higher education. This research includes issues of diversity. Many of us support the philosophy that embracing diversity is the only option that guarantees the vitality and viability of our colleges and universities, but rigorous research is necessary to acquire further knowledge and to furnish support for our assertions to the public. This volume cannot include all of the issues that will be discussed at the AAHE Conference, but the articles that are presented provide the latest research by outstanding scholars in our field. Though it is true that students of color are in the majority in many of the school districts in major cities and that by the year 2050 people of color will be in the majority in most school districts, this demographic reality is not the only reason why resolving issues of diversity is important in higher education: it is important for academic, moral, civic, and economic reasons (Musil, et al., in press). Academically, diversity is important not only because of transmission of knowledge, but also because of the creation of new knowledge, which is dependent on the inclusion of multiple viewpoints, and we have seen the dramatic changes within our disciplines when different perspectives are incorporated. Morally, diversity in higher education addresses equity and social justice. Though our history points to a time when issues of equity were not embraced by the higher education community, as we move through the new millennium, true, inclusive democracy and equal opportunity for members of all groups are recogniz ed by most educators as the only right option. Tied to the moral argument is the importance of an educated citizenry. Our democracy and our cities' survival depend on the meaningful participation of all citizens and on higher education's ability to prepare the new leaders of our communities. An educated citizenry, finally, along with leaders for our communities and societies, translates into providing economic opportunities for all citizens. …