In addition to a superior education, diversity is a wonderful gift a college can give its students.
However, it is unfortunate to say that ETSU is seriously lacking in this area. At an American college I expect all the races to be represented – somewhat like seeing a rainbow of intellectuals walking to and from classes – all in the pursuit of one commonality: knowledge.
But, I shouldn’t have allowed myself to bask in such wishful thinking.
As I walk around campus, I see the same lot – same white people, same classmates, same opinions, same fashions, same everything. Where are the free-spirits? Where can the South’s outcasts, the atheists, be found? (It seems everyone I meet is a Southern Baptist – at least show me some Catholics!) Where is the rainbow of color?
It is sad to say that a little research confirmed my experiences with ETSU’s lack of human assortment and diversity.
According to collegeboard.com, ETSU has approximately 1 percent Asian/Pacific Islander students, 4 percent Black/Non-Hispanic, and less than 1 percent is American Indian/Alaskan Native. Therefore, approximately 89 percent of the students are White/Non-Hispanic.
OK fine, even if different races aren’t embodied here at ETSU, one might presume the students would show a range of opinions and values.
However, from what I’ve been a witness to; conversely it appears this is a false notion as well. The majority of the people I have seen fit a common human brand, so to speak.
ETSU has conformity at its finest. Although, perhaps I do see most of the Southern United States as having only perspectives of black and white, who can deny that here at ETSU most of what I have addressed holds some relevance to truth?
Diversity is the key to understanding and tolerance – and that is the result of being able to see the beauty of the differences. I feel like an excellent college education should provide the experience of different viewpoints.
“Great achievements are not born from a single vision, but from a combination of many distinctive viewpoints. Diversity challenges assumptions, opens a person’s mind and unlocks each individual’s potential to solve any problems we may face.” -U.S. Diversity Council.

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