Present programs in ethnic studies neglect problems in diversity

Published: Monday, September 28, 1998

Monday, September 28, 1998

EDUCATION: Courses focus on differences, fall short of lending insight

Last spring, as many students across the state celebrated their graduation from the University of California, I was struck by the increasing number of graduation ceremonies that were being held on the basis of race and ethnicity. UCLA, for example, hosted the "All African People's Graduation" for black graduates and the "Raza Graduation" for Latino graduates, among other racially based ceremonies. This trend concerns me because I believe it signals that we are moving away from diversifying and toward more and more separation determined by race.

Based on my concerns, earlier this summer I suggested that I am considering independently performing an evaluation of the ethnic studies programs at the various University of California campuses. Although I merely suggested reviewing these programs, not dismantling them, the opposition from those who strongly support ethnic studies programs was immediate and vociferous. Nevertheless, I will not be deterred from asking tough questions about the purpose and expense of programs centered on race and gender.

I, along with the other members of the University of California's Board of Regents, have been entrusted with a fiduciary responsibility for the University. As a consequence, the Board spends a great deal of time sifting through budget requests, policy recommendations, and auditing and evaluating current programs. Our efforts and decisions are always aimed at ensuring that we provide the highest quality education possible within the fiscal constraints with which we are always faced. In order to completely fulfill our responsibilities, we cannot allow any University program to escape Board scrutiny. Again, let me reiterate that I am not proposing to eliminate these programs.

As our country becomes more and more diverse every day, I believe that it is important for everyone to respect differences in culture and background. This is a valid role for an educational institution, and ethnic studies courses can provide an opportunity for students to receive exposure to other cultures and examine history from different perspectives. Also, these courses can be a powerful force in tearing down persistent stereotypes and facilitating unity among our citizenry.

On the other hand, if those individuals who administer ethnic studies programs are obsessed by political considerations and identity advocacy, then that will be reflected in the student population. When I was chair of the California Civil Rights Initiative (Proposition 209), there were many cases where ethnic studies departments seemed to become hubs of political activity opposing the initiative. This pattern continues to be repeated on other initiatives. Certainly, everyone has the right to voice their support or opposition to any issue. It is a right essential to our freedom.

No one, however, enjoys the right to use taxpayer's time and money to further his own political objectives. If the faculties and staffs of ethnic studies departments have not used government resources for these purposes, they should welcome a review that makes this clear.

I further question what contribution ethnic studies programs are making toward the diversity of our campuses. When the University of California eliminated race and gender considerations in making admissions decisions, there was a great cry that diversity at the University would suffer. Holding separate graduation ceremonies, separate student governments and separate orientations seems to throw this diversity concern out the window. After all, the argument for diversity is to bring unlike people together, and therefore, enhance the quality of learning. Clustering along racial lines clearly defeats this objective.

Many of those who have criticized my raising questions about ethnic studies have asked me, "Why haven't you challenged programs like European studies?" The answer is the same as why I haven't challenged Latin American studies - studying continents and nations is clearly different than studying differences in people's skin color. There is a major and obvious difference between African studies and African American studies. Is the latter concerned with understanding black America's past, or is it obsessed with drawing out "differences" based on skin color? Do these courses attempt to tear down stereotypes or merely try to fight stereotypes with stereotypes?

Besides concerns with where ethnic studies programs may be taking our society, in terms of facilitating racial unity, there are also some practical questions that must be raised. First, does every race, gender and sexual orientation warrant its own department? Could some of these departments merge and enable us to keep administrative costs down without sacrificing course offerings? Or, is there a preoccupation with "difference" that presents a stumbling block? Also, aside from students taking various ethnic studies to broaden their understanding of different cultures, is there utility in providing degree programs which emphasize a particular race or ethnicity? What will someone do with a degree in African American studies? Are we giving some of our students an obsolete degree? I think it is appropriate and necessary to review these considerations.

No doubt, many will choose to attack me rather than engaging in an honest discussion of the questions I have raised. Indeed, one parent attending a race-based graduation ceremony at UCLA last spring was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as saying, "It's totally ridiculous. He thinks that no matter where we come from, we come to college and magically, we're all the same. We're not." Doesn't the rationale of "separate because we aren't the same" have a hauntingly similar ring to that put forward by advocates of "separate but equal" laws in place before Brown vs. Board of Education? Are we selectively forgetting some of the ugly lessons of this country's past in the name of diversity? If we are, it is my hope that others will join me in discussing where we are headed with regard to this nation's race relations. We cannot afford to become so wrapped up in the vehicle for change we have chosen that we lose sight of the ultimate direction in which we want it to take us.

Undoubtedly, ethnic studies programs can play an extremely valuable role for the students of the University of California. My goal, as a steward of the University, is to ensure that these programs are on the right track and are embracing goals that will ultimately be to our society's benefit.

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