An Old, Old Wooden Ship?

Watch this video to what diversity is NOT:

So What IS Diversity?

When you hear the word diversity, is the first thing that you think of race?  While race is indeed a component of diversity, there are SO many different facets of diversity.  We often talk about Furman not having diversity, and while there are areas of diversity in which our population could definitely improve in, there are still many kinds of diversity that we represent within our student body.

Geographical Diversity:  Not all of us are from Atlanta or Columbia, we have students from California, Alaska, Maine, and abroad!

Socioeconomic Diversity:  While Furman does have quite the “country club” reputation in this regard, many of us receive scholarships and financial aid.

Religious Diversity:  There are countless religions represented on campus.

Abilities Diversity:  Many of us are faced with disabilities: learning, physical, etc.

Sexual Diversity:  EROS is just one organizations on campus that gives voice to the sexual orientation on campus.

Academic Diversity:  Our countless majors and areas of interest are something that makes each one of us diverse.  

I could go on and on.  My challenge for you?  Initiate conversations with your friends, or better yet people you don’t know well, about these realms of diversity on Furman’s campus! 

In closing, I’d like to share this poem written by a 10th grader named Stan William:

  What diversity and equality

mean to me

    Is that we have differences but

you’re still equal to me

    Different race, different customs,

Yet we have the same opportunities

    But open up your eyes and that

is not what you’ll see

    You have a classic family, I’m

from a broken home

    You grew up in the burbs while

I was raised in the section aid zone

    You surf the web and view

hundreds of channels when you’re bored

     While the internet and cable

TV are luxuries i can’t afford

     In spite of these differences, we

respect each other the same

     Both scheming to be the best

and holding on to dreams of fame

     But to be equal and diverse is

an unlived ideology

     Because the world sees our

diversity and thinks you’re    

better than me.

Stan William