Two weeks ago, the Undergraduate Council, a prominent Academic
Senate Committee, committed itself to addressing the implementation
of the diversity requirement. In two weeks, segregated graduations
will occur at UCLA.
UCLA funds segregated graduations for blacks, Latinos, Asians,
American Indians and Filipinos. Interestingly enough, no other U.S.
university sponsors so many ethnic graduations.
In 1998 USAC’s Finance Committee approved $20,000 in
funding for such ceremonies. In the midst of a budget crisis and
looming fee increases, we are spending money for the explicit
purpose of dividing our community.
Brilliant.
No matter what, segregation runs counter to diversity. Implicit
in the word “segregation” is separation. Separating
ethnicities immediately dispels all the benefits of diversity (e.g.
understanding, tolerance, new perspectives, etc). Instead,
suspicion, isolation, and ultimately racism are bred.
Understandably, the intent of such ceremonies is not the
perpetuation of racism, but rather the celebration of a common
cultural heritage. Nonetheless, there is a time and a place for
such celebrations. When we graduate, we must embrace our class as a
whole, not as fragmented parts. At a university heralding diversity
as a top priority, graduation ceremonies must reflect and praise
diversity, not divisiveness.
Cultural celebration ought to be a part of one, all-encompassing
commencement ceremony. Recognizing the cultural contributions of
different ethnicities at one, single graduation would indeed sing
to the tune we all recognize: diversity is a goal meant to bring us
together, not force us apart. A UC-brand of Jim Crow will not bring
us together.
It’s time UCLA practices what it preaches. Cultural
celebration is good; segregation is not. USAC’s overwhelming
support for a diversity requirement is evidence of an exuberant
willingness to explore and accept different cultures on this
campus. We want to learn. Teach us, don’t segregate us.
Jansen was a Daily Bruin Viewpoint editor.