Letter to the Editor: Inclusion implies trust

By Dan Richardson Makanda Speech Communication, 1994

I want to commend Johnathan Flowers on his opinion article in the Feb. 24 edition of the DE. He makes a distinction between the numbers game of diversity and the activity of diversity itself. It is one thing to show charts and numbers; it’s another to show how impartiality is practiced in all areas of SIU.

In a similar way, it’s one thing to treat hospitality as “a completed task;” it’s another to treat hospitality as “something you are.” Flowers’ analysis helps us stay true to our goal: seeing people as individuals yet to be discovered, and known, and appreciated—regardless of race.

Flowers says the university can do more than just treat cultural education “as an elective requirement” and “spaces for inclusivity.” As I see it, education, in all its forms, is all SIU can do. As an organization, SIU can only create more attractive opportunities for engagement.

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To be consistent, SIU must trust the students because inclusion implies trust. As individuals, it is up to us to think like Flowers, and promote respect and appreciation for all. 

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