Bobcats should enroll in classes like these to help learn about other cultures.
As a journalism major, I was required to take either an African American studies class or a women’s, gender and sexuality studies class. I thought this was a university-wide thing. Apparently it’s not, but it should be.
We should all be exposed to people and cultures different than our own. It breaks down stereotypes, humanizes what we define as “other,” and makes us more open-minded and empathetic individuals. If any of that doesn’t sound GREAT to you, PLEASE take those classes.
For some students, Ohio University is the most diverse place you’ve ever lived. For others, it’s not at all. It depends on where you are from, but here, everyone’s story and background matter.
For the people from homogenous communities who find OU much different than what you’re used to, take an AAS, WGSS or diversity studies class.
For white people who have all white friends, are apprehensive to date people of another race and/or like Tyler Perry movies, take one of those classes.
For the people who think all feminists are angry, man-hating lesbians who burn bras and don’t let women be stay-at-home mothers, take one of those classes.
For the multitudes of people who only notice a building doesn’t have accessible entrances and elevators when they have to wheel a cart somewhere or are too lazy to walk to the 3rd floor of Bentley, take one of those classes.
For those of you whose favorite Cards Against Humanity cards are “The hardworking Mexican,” “The Trail of Tears,” “The token minority,” “Our first chimpanzee president,” “A sassy black woman,” “Asians who aren’t good at math,” “Wifely duties” or “Nickelback,” take one of those classes.
For those who don’t know what the Cards Against Humanity cards “Heteronormativity,” “The Patriarchy,” “The Three-Fifths Compromise,” “Women’s suffrage,” “The glass ceiling,” “White privilege” or “Consensual sex” mean, take one of those classes.
As I am pursuing a diversity studies certificate and specializing in WGSS, I take a lot of these classes.
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="b5d70b8a-622f-11e5-94b6-3bb2c782f1bd"}}
Most people in my classes are there because they care deeply about issues of diversity, privilege and oppression. But even if you are apathetic or unaware of these topics, they still affect you, so learn about them.
If you can’t or won’t enroll in such courses, please go to the countless events hosted by the Women’s Center, LGBT Center, Multicultural Center, etc. You don’t have to be members of those communities, but I hope you are an ally.
If only women talk about women’s issues in the male-dominated society, nothing is going to change. We need all you good men to show what it means to be a man — a person who isn’t sexist or misogynistic, but respects women simply because we are equal people.
If only black people talk about racism and colorism, racism and colorism will persist.
If only LGBT people talk about homophobia, transphobia, and the lack of equal rights and protection under the law, those issues will persist.
Visibility, participation, representation and education are crucial. The more people learn about areas of diversity and inequality, the more they help change and improve the society.
Do it for the diverse and oppressed people you’ll learn about and show up for.
And do it for yourself to become a more educated, open-minded, decent human being. Or be “A bleached asshole.” Your move.
Erin Davoran is a senior studying journalism. What do you think about diversity classes? Tweet her @erindavoran or email her at ed414911@ohio.edu.
