Phi Beta Cons

‘Diversity’ Used to be a Fine Word

In this essay on Minding the Campus, Richard Vedder reflects on the sad misfortune that has befallen a fine word. These days, “diversity” means nothing more than making certain that some group of people has enough “representatives” from a few politically potent racial and ethnic groups as well as a correct percentage of women. A “diverse” faculty, e.g., is one with enough individuals who have those characteristics — never mind any other qualifications or their interest in (and ability to) present students with a range of perspectives. 

George Leef is the the director of editorial content at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is the author of The Awakening of Jennifer Van Arsdale: A Political Fable for Our Time.
Exit mobile version