| Show S ti itt u 1 01 t e G Q W t OJ mJ OJ t I 11 11 i. i i. i Mj i l m 1 t t t 1 1 1 jj nl ej J JQ n Dimity IJ t IJ t. t By Oye Akin Staff Writer What is this I hear about no diversity in the Salt Lake Community College Student Government committee Is it ethnic religion language or culture culture culture cul cul- ture I 1 believe its it's everything we can think of To be on the safe side this is Utah majority rules Diversity means a diverse society socie socie- ty involving all members of a community from different back back- ground This can often be interpreted interpreted interpreted inter inter- as prejudice most especially especially especially espe espe- if you are a victim Within the last two years there hasn't been any increase in diversity within the Student Government The members represent the students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents and how can they do so without an appropriate even share of representation And please just because you served a mission for two to three years does not give anyone enough time to capture another persons person's culture and understanding the he language yes but perspective NO Why is there an importance for diversity in the theS S t u dent Government Ill I'll tell you why because members members members mem mem- bers of the committee committee committee com com- are also interested in other views from their peers Most students consider the Student Government to tobe hp be c sole 1 if i io o y po L ics The fact is our Student Government ought to be beof beof beof of for and by the Students Therefore all students can participate participate participate par par- and make it about our interest as students and not as potential politicians This issue concerns all the deci deci- sion-makers sion that appoint these students and to those who are anticipating their involvement in inthe inthe inthe the student activities available True that more than 80 of the active students have jobs and potentially most of the students that fall in a minority group are less fortunate in the aspect of a flexible schedule However some of the minority students who try are judged unconditionally ally mostly by the fact that their names might be a bit difficult to pronounce which is very judg judg- mental This has got to stop It has come to my attention that out of the few minorities who are capable of running for student government they choose not to due to obvious reasons differ differ- ent ideas fear of rejection from peers and those who are interested interest interest- ed do not get the opportunity to use their leadership skills So how do we even out our system Simply by being persistent and hardworking if you want the experience Also the determination tion to do something for a change is always a good thing to keep in mind It is time to stop analyzing and complaining and its it's time to start competing participating experiencing experiencing experiencing and enjoying the opportunities opportunities opportunities we have to be creative with the lectures we learn in all these general requirement class class- es It may look difficult but what you have to realize is once you take a step others will follow just like Gandhi made his belief known and so did Martin Luther King Jr It is difficult enough to have students of different ethnic background background background back back- ground such as Asian Indians Africans Latinos Polynesian learning the English and Spanish language to get It may look difficult but what you have to realize realIZe realize real real- IZe ize is once you take a astep astep step others will follow involved in the me student t i e s I Nevertheless each student is responsible for student fees and every representation representation representation rep- rep counts students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents need to tobe tobe tobe be interested in knowing the purpose of these funds and to what benefit is it to you as a student regardless regardless regardless regard regard- less of ethnic background Intimidation is a concern for people of different cultures other than the majority at where they feel that their ability to take on leadership rolls or participate participate participate par par- in the Student Government is unattainable due to lack of respect from peers limited interest and a difficult schedule I agree with those of you who think this way but thinking isn't going to do anything anything anything any any- thing to make it better Unless we take action it will remain as is Getting involved in the Student Activities is a great opportunity for pre law students pre medical medical medical med med- ical students political jobs and ambassadors for your respective countries Teachers faculty members staff of please encourage the students you interact with to get involved To all judging isn't for us but for the Supreme Justices of the United States of America in America C i. i Jr |
