The Indiana Statesman of Indiana State University had a remarkable article a few days about a public event featuring Sumita Furlong, currently the executive director of the president’s office for diversity and global initiatives at the College of Charleston and a candidate for chief diversity officer at Indiana State.
There are many remarkable aspects of this article, but let me start with what I will select as the The Diversity Quote Of The Week (probably, indeed, of any week): “diversity does not revolve around skin color,” Ms. Furlong told the assembly, “it revolves globally.” Perhaps sensing that diversity revolving globally might not have been altogether clear, she continued:
“It is not about black, white and brown anymore,” she said. “It is about students competing nationally [at the collegiate level].”
Even that apparently wasn’t enough. So:
She described overcoming diversity as a sun with many rays outstretched toward community. Each of the rays ranges from different socio-economically based standings, everything from race and religion to sexual preference.
I can see why this sort of diversity needs to be overcome. I’m actually overcome myself. Indiana State, however, seems to be a glutton for this sort of punishment. According to the article,
The position was created after splitting the Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity into two separate offices, said Teresa Exline, [a?] university spokesperson, [who?] is currently co-chairing the application process.
The new position is designed to help build relationships across the campus.
Exline said it is important for diversity to be tolerated at universities.
Furlong said she applied for the new position to help ISU build the foundation to overcome certain levels of diversity.
Ms. Furlong adds a whole new dimension to “We Shall Overcome….”
I’m guessing that the Indiana Statesman needs a copy editor more than the University needs a Diversity Officer. And please, please, don’t tell me that Ms. Frulong is an English Major.
Illuminating biographical information about Ms Furlong from the linked article:
She said she found her calling in student affairs and establishing institutions of research.
At the College of Charleston, she started the first and only Model United Nations in higher education in South Carolina.
“It lured any type of persecution to involvement,” she said.
She gave an example that occurred at the College of Charleston about students from Black Student Ministries complaining about not having anyone attend their events. Furlong then asked, “Whose events have you attended?”
BSM admitted to not attending any other diverse group’s events.
Furlong advised them to attend an Alliance meeting.
“Since then, both groups advocated diversity-oriented tolerance,’ she said.”
Such accomplishments!