Multiculturalism on Campus
To suggest that “one cannot espouse multiculturalism and expect students to see each other as individual human beings,” as Michael Berliner and Gary Hull did in their commentary, “Diversity of Ideas Is What’s Really Needed” (May 24), too narrowly defines the human experience. Human beings are influenced by group behavior. By understanding the traditions and beliefs prevalent in a particular culture, a person is more likely to have either a greater appreciation or tolerance for that culture.
A person who grows up in a particular culture actually gains greater “free will” by studying and learning more about his or her own culture. To better understand why you do some of the things you do is to have greater power or free will to accept or reject them as philosophic and lifestyle choices for yourself.
Just as I find the Berliner-Hull argument somewhat interesting intellectually, I also tolerate their rather one-dimensional view, with which I disagree.
BARRY GARRON
Bonita
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* I was thrilled by Berliner and Hull’s column. Everything in nature is of a different color. That is what makes it so beautiful. And so it is with human beings.
I have never met a person who thinks with his or her skin. Everything takes place within oneself. If you are looking at a tree, a mountain or a person, you are looking at them from within yourself. Look around you--whether it’s a car, a house, furniture, dishes, a painting, etc., all were created in someone’s mind. Alas, so are hatred and anger.
Education is to make us grow so that we can become productive and better people. All persons should be looked at as individuals, which they are. This multiculturalism is destroying our society.
RUTH ADAMS
Los Angeles
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* In their bitter attack on affirmative action, Berliner and Hull try to say a university is an unusual, separate space to “impart knowledge and develop reasoning, not to be a demographic mirror of society.” But is that the modern university?
Take the University of California. Its massive business, law and economics programs produce the functionaries who keep the bureaucracy going. Reserve Officer Training Corps programs stock the military. America’s nuclear weapons program was developed in the UC labs. Massive fund-raising--with land acquisition and construction--characterize the UC operation.
Not to mention that today’s universities field the farm teams for America’s professional sports complex.
So, in light of the enormous impact of universities on our society, setting standards of fairness through affirmative action is one of the few positive achievements of the modern university.
ANDY K. LIBERMAN
West Hollywood
