Upholding Whiteness in Diversity Statements: A Critical Analysis of (Un)Knowing Rhetorical Manipulation

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 10:50 am
  In Roundtable Session: Section 3: Diversity Dialogues: Uncovering Challenges and Triumphs in Higher Education (Table 39)

Abstract

I analyze the language select universities use when promoting their efforts to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) on their campuses. In these statements, there is a key similarity: vague, colorblind language that ultimately works to uphold whiteness. Despite the apparent goals of illustrating their advancements in EDI, diversity statements avoid including the fact that white power continues to advance while ignoring historically marginalized individuals. Thus, I aim to answer the question: how do universities use diversity statements to promote EDI for their campus communities while (un)knowingly reinforcing structures of white ideological power, thus denying the freedom for equity for their marginalized and minoritized students? I conclude with suggestions to improve diversity statements by highlighting the historical realities of universities.

Author

• Vivian Schmolke, University of Oregon