More than a buzzword?

QuiAnne’ Holmes | Staff Writer

Growing up as a millennial there is a constant need for an ever changing language. New trends like, “on fleek, dab, and #blackgirlmagic,”  have taken everyday conversation by storm.

But what about the word diversity?

This has become the buzzword of North Carolina State University. There are so many entities at NC State that focus on  promoting spaces and conversations for diversity; however what does that really mean?

“I believe the term diversity has become a buzzword because people do not know what the word truly means. It is included in various statements, clubs, and events in regards to NC State but the lack of overall understanding reflects a contradiction to the school’s principles,” said Alexis Greene, a senior studying  psychology.

Do students actually understand the meaning of diversity and why there is so much emphasis placed on it? This is still to be determined.

Despite the uncertainty, there are students, faculty, and staff who create several avenues for audiences to become educated about diversity.

“Diversity has been an important topic of conversation on campus lately. It has played an important role in student government elections in the various improvements that candidates hoped to make the campus more inclusive and culturally competent. However, I do not think the university as a whole is completely aware of the issues involving diversity on campus,” said Kathleen Miller, a sophomore studying  political science.

These efforts influence the rhetoric, but not the necessary action from all parties and this is where the problem lies.

How can we not only have those who are in the “choir,” who know what diversity is, and have others who may not know join these conversations?

When exploring how much of a buzzword diversity has become, students provided their personal opinions on the word itself and its influence in various avenues.

“Diversity does not simply mean having individuals of different ethnicities and races on campus but being able to be inclusive to educating ourselves and others,” said Miller.

This shows the importance of understanding how to go beyond using the terminology to sound culturally competent but actually making the necessary decisions to educate yourself and be  willing to respectfully and accurately educate others.

From this, we must make sure we  understand that having diversity as part of daily conversation is a huge step from where we have come but we have a long way to go in which all identities of diversity acknowledge and respectfully accept each other as one big Wolfpack!

“Where the concept of diversity should be bringing us together, in some ways it is splitting us apart because of the lack of knowledge for its purpose,” said Greene.

It is important for  students, faculty, staff, or anyone part of the Wolfpack to understand that we need to apply our “Think and Do” principle beyond sports and academics and  create character within ourselves and our student body that reflects the utmost respect and acceptance for diversity in all aspects.