“Everyone in the country has a strong view about race,” said professor of sociology Troy Duster, who spoke at Vassar College on March 4.
Duster was the keynote speaker for the college’s third conversation in the school’s Common Grounds series. The series is a yearlong effort to explore affirmative action, social justice and other aspects of gender and racial equality. Mari J. Matsuda, a law professor at Georgetown University, kicked off the series in September by exploring “politics of learned futility,” and arguing that Americans must resolve to make quality education for all children one of the nation’s highest priorities. These conversations are a collaboration of the offices of the Dean of the Faculty and the Dean of the College as part of Vassar’s ongoing effort to promote inclusiveness on campus.
Duster is the director of the Institute for the History of the Production of Knowledge at New York University, as well as Chancellor’s Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Berkley, where he has taught since 1970.
At Tuesday’s discussion, “Diversity: New Definitions for a New Century,” Duster addressed the marginalized role of diversity in school curriculums. He was joined by two Vassar professors – Pinar Batur, an associate professor of sociology, and Tyrone Simpson, an assistant professor of English.
In his opening speech Duster addressed the idea of diversity with an adage about Sir Francis Drake. While many English regard Drake as a heroic English privateer, Spaniards often refer to him as El Pirata Drake. The stark contrast formed the basis of the conversation.
“The first stage of diversity is when most everyone around you is different,” he said. “At stage 1, you have limited choices.”
The choices, he suggests, are either to fit in or challenge the curriculum. He prefaces the notion with a story about diversity on the campus of U.C. Berkley in the 1970s. Though campuses across the country were beginning to become more diverse, race relations were still under addressed.
“By stage 2, your choices are completely transformed,” said Duster.
Afterward, Duster addressed what he calls “The Five Stages/Responses of Diversity” – intolerance, tolerance, acceptance, appreciation and eventually, mutual enhancement.
Batur responded to Duster’s commentary by recalling Vassar’s past. On April 26, 1942, W.E.B. Du Bois came to Vassar College to lecture on race.
“How can we incorporate Du Bois’ argument into our everyday lives?” she asked.
Following the lecture, Dean of the College and Associate Professor of Education Judy Jackson opened the floor to the public.
The Common Grounds series is a yearlong event coordinated by Associate Dean and Director of Equal Opportunities Belinda Gutherie. The events are free and open to the public.