In the light of the recent events that have taken place at college campuses across the United States, most notably the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and Yale University, NYU has been active in responding to concerns being voiced by students of color and their allies. All NYU community members received an email from the President, Provost, Deans, and University Senate Leaders in regards to diversity and inclusiveness on college campuses. It read:

“. . . The university is a place where the difficult and urgently needed conversations about race and diversity can and ought to take place. We owe it to ourselves to deepen and expand the existing conversation here at NYU — to listen carefully, to speak truthfully and respectfully, to come to understand what matters, and to figure out how we make progress . . .”

The email also highlighted aUniversity-wide discussion on diversity and inclusion hosted by NYU President John Sexton and other members of the NYU community, which allowed all community members to voice their insights, comments, and policy suggestions in regards to promoting diversity and inclusiveness.In addition, theBlack Students Union hosted its Blackout NYU event last Monday to raise awareness and foster dialogues surrounding diversity and inclusion. Students were encouraged to wear black clothing to show support for their fellow students of color across the country. Posters were also hung up in the Kimmel Center for students to write down ideas for the implementation of a diversity policy that would increase inclusiveness at the University.One of the most prominent suggestions was for a policy to mandate diversity training for all members of the NYU community, including faculty and staff. Explaining the importance of such a program, Romie Williams, a sophomore in NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and the Chair of Public Relations for BSU, said, “People in the NYU community have the choice of whether they want to participate in these programs and educate themselves on socially marginalized identities. Usually, the people who do participate have an interest in diversity, but it is the people who are unknowledgeable of social justice issues who need to be especially targeted.”Aaliyah Jibhad, a member of BSU, expressed optimism regarding the turnout and support for the Blackout, but emphasized even with a notoriously liberal school like NYU, it is important to remain active and be a part of the dialogue. She said, “I think that when people think of NYU they immediately think of diversity they think that we’re one of the most tolerant universities, that we’re kind of in a bubble and that things don't happen here, but that’s just not true. I think we dance around the subject, even at events that are made to discuss these issues . . . What I hope we’re doing here is bringing the real issues to the forefront and starting honest, raw discussions.”As a result of these discussions happening throughout the University, President Sexton recently announced the University’s decision to “immediately [increase] staffing and [double] program funding for the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs (CMEP) to expand and enhance our programming efforts around issues of diversity and inclusion, and [take] concrete steps in the near term to move forward with one of the proposals raised repeatedly yesterday—a serious diversity training program.” Sexton also wrote the University is “also implementing diversity training and providing relevant resources for faculty search committees in all the schools.” The University Senate Executive Committee has also been asked to form an ad hoc committee focused on diversity and inclusion that will recommend actions the University can take to address these concerns.Even with the implementation and support of these measures by NYU administration, there are still some members of the community who do not agree with the decisions being made. Jibhad added, “I have seen a couple people express extreme concern with how we’ll be going about talking about [these issues]. Some people haven’t exactly been happy with our decision to stand behind the actions students have taken at other universities . . . By us standing in solidarity with them, they think we’re blindly supporting every action, which is not true.” She added she appreciated the feedback, however, because it’s important to know what everyone’s thoughts are on the issues at hand in order to further discussions and dialogue for inclusiveness and diversity.In times like these, it is important to address the concerns of people who do not agree with the actions committed by protesters and students. One way to do this is by looking back to our history and turning to the words of people who have experienced many conflicts, closely related to the ones we face today. In hisLetter from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote:“I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Councilor or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action’; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a ‘more convenient season.’ Shallow understanding from people of good-will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”Even in the twenty-first century, Dr. King's words can be applied to us today. Corinne Minor, a student and adjunct professor of Voice at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, stressed the importance of being an active ally for minority students, at all times, not only during times of conflict. She said, “What’s important is showing that not everyone is part of this biased race, and for me it’s all about showing my love and support for everybody . . . Someone has always been the underdog, and I want to help everyone feel like they’re important, no matter their religion, sexuality or race.”As we trek on through our days, whether they be riddled with protests and stories on the latest case of police brutality or frank discussions and open dialogue, one cannot forget to refuse the comforts of complacency. There is always progress to be made in order to create a more accepting, safe, and comfortable environment for people of all backgrounds. This article was written by Katie-Rose Nunziato. Please send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.