By Janiya Harrison
Gandhi once said, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” Diversity-noun, the state of being diverse – a range of different things. Do you feel that we as college community hold this character well? If not head over to Tucker and speak with JeNai Davis, Gardner-Webb’s Director of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives. I had the opportunity to speak with her on the topic of diversity at the university. “With the small community we have here on campus and compared to other colleges we’re doing a good job at keeping diversity in the playing field,” Davis said.
There are many forms of diversity, such as culture, race, religion, gender and disability. As a Christian based school, we are under a fine lens microscope. We are to represent as the image of Christ. Ephesians 2:20 says, “You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building.”
It is easy to get carried away with the way of everyday life and forget we are to walk in His image. Diversity however helps us with this character. Like Gandhi said, “Diversity can create a beautiful, more civilized community.”
JeNai Davis started a 21-Day Equity Challenge as an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives, as well as our communities. “I want us as college and community to get a better grasp on equality and diversity. So far, we are doing a well job, but we always need to look for was to advance to reach for better — reach for more,” Davis said.
So I leave you with these questions. How can you help with the diversity in our community? Do you feel that you are in-tune with the racial equity going on around you? Can you say that you have broadened your mental perspective on diversity? We all have to answer these questions at some point in life.