I, for one, am very pleased with Northeastern’s emphasis on promoting diversity. As a student of color, I feel it is very important to make all ethnic groups on campus feel welcomed and appreciated. How else is the university supposed to guarantee that I, or anyone for that matter, stay long enough to enrich the environment via tuition dollars, academic pursuits and student leadership?

With that said, I will acknowledge that diversity cannot be limited to the dichotomy of white and black, as the author of “Diversity has nothing to do with race” has done (Feb. 14). Diversity encompasses gender, sexuality, religion, philosophies and myriad other identities, thoughts and values. This is very true and I don’t doubt that most people understand it.

But back to the topic of race. To say that diversity has nothing to do with race is a very ignorant and inaccurate statement to make. In fact, it may suggest the atmosphere of privilege that Tim Sullivan, the letter’s author, occupies since it may not affect him or others like him, so why bother to discuss it? Or, perhaps, the author doesn’t feel that he is a part of a racial group that informs his thoughts, values and preferences? These questions, among many others, are important ones everyone should ask themselves.

Race may not be the only component of diversity but it is an important one. As sad and hard as it may be for some people to acknowledge, race still determines what doors are open to people despite the negligible amount of genetic material that determines skin color.

Furthermore, overt racism may no longer be legally endorsed but folks from that era are very much alive and in a position to perpetuate their perceptions in more subtle ways. There are a number of books covering this very reality: “Lies My Teacher Told Me” by Dr. James Loewen, “Race Matters” by Dr. Cornel West or “Outlaw Culture” by bell hooks to name a few.

I commend Northeastern for putting in writing what can be hard ideals to strive for. Although many members of underrepresented communities live comfortable lifestyles that certainly doesn’t translate to equity. Equity comes from hard, thought provoking dialogue between communities that seek to recognize a history of violent inequities and move forward. Being sick of hearing about diversity (i.e. not wanting to engage in dialogue) suggests comfort with maintaining the status quo. As future educated leaders, we must embody change and welcome challenges.

In closing, for anyone, including Sullivan, who has a problem with the Northeastern mission, principles, etc., I encourage you to ask an administrator or send them an e-mail. In reference to Northeastern’s definition of diversity, please visit the website for the Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity or refer to your Student Handbook.

Be proactive about the university that represents you. And have a happy Black History Month!

– Shane Lloyd is a senior behavioral neuroscience major.