I have been on the NCSU faculty since 1988.  Having that long a view, I can tell you that something new is going on here.  From Oct. 19 to Nov. 3, there were seven independent diversity events.  These gatherings included a forum on racial slurs; men who stand against violence toward women;  an educational forum and celebration of the 1961 Freedom Riders;  a residence hall discussion of the nature of stereotypes; a demonstration and discussion of how it feels to be stereotyped; an Occupy NCSU teach-in; and the Wake Up! open mic event where students performed and told their stories of motivation to stand up against intolerance in all its forms.

 All of those events occurred in a three-week period. I am very tired because I attended and participated in these events.  Tired, but truly encouraged by these positive moves to deal with the neo-diversity social change of our campus.  Especially noteworthy is the fact that six of these events were student initiated, organized and carried out.  Not only that, but the various sponsoring student groups and participants reflected the diversity of our campus.

Seeing so much student energy directed toward working with and celebrating our campus’ diversity is impressive,  but it is also new.

What is new is students are no longer in a reactive mode. Students no longer wait for something intolerant to happen to have diversity discussions and activities.  As a campus we react when intolerance goes public in the Free Expression Tunnel or there is some specific intolerant attack aimed at one of our student groups.  I was very proud of our campus outcry against the hate aimed at our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered students; very proud.

Still I know that not that long ago there would not have been any such outcry. To get inside my point of view, you must understand that not only have I been on the faculty since 1988, starting with my Navy days. I have worked on diversity issues all of my adult life.  And on this campus, for two years I served as NCSU’s first Vice Provost for Diversity and African American Affairs.  So my eyes have seen much on this campus; intolerance, indifference, fear and loathing of diversity.

It is significant, then, that I see that students are no longer fighting against the social changes that have come to our campus.  Students are doing more than being reactive.

 That is also reflected in the fact that we have two student newspapers, the Technician and the Nubian Message, that regularly cover and make commentary about diversity on the campus.  The two editorial staffs do not always agree, but bravo to each for actively participating in the diversity dialog that is becoming part of our campus culture.

From my view, it is clear that students are now working hard to show their fellow students how to manage, embrace and celebrate the neo-diversity of our campus and our America. Now it is clear that NCSU is moving into the neo-diversity reality of the 21st Century.  The theme of the science fiction TV show Torchwood is right:

“The 21st Century is when everything changes.  You have to be ready.”