OUR VIEW: We demand more diverse faculty
Published: September 8, 2010
We hope Tuesday’s book signing of George Henderson’s memoir, “Race and the University,” provided an opportunity for students to learn about his past and continuing efforts to combat racism on campus and in Norman.
Few people have contributed to this university like Henderson has.
He joined the OU faculty in 1967 as the third black professor and was a pioneer in Norman as the first black property owner.
He also founded OU’s human relations department, received three renowned professorships and authored 28 books.
Even if you didn’t get a copy at Tuesday’s book signing, we implore each of you to keep in mind this message — we still have a long way to go until we’re living in an actual racially integrated society.
The numbers tell the story.
In 2009, only 38 of the total full-time faculty members on campus were black, according to the OU Factbook
Numbers of the other minority groups also pale in comparison to the 1,039 white faculty members. Only 35 full-time faculty members were American Indians, 47 Hispanic and 141 Asian.
Factbook numbers show that only 20 percent of the full-time faculty members are American minorities.
This isn’t to say the OU administration doesn’t actively seek out diverse faculty members — they do. But why can’t they get a more equal number of minority faculty members?
It’s because there isn’t a large number of minority graduate students. And there isn’t a wide selection because many minority students run into trouble paying for tuition.
In 2003, the last record of OU’s graduation rate, about 64 percent of students graduated.
While there isn’t a record of the demographics within this number, CBS News reported in May that only 43 percent of black students graduate college, compared to 63 percent of whites. And 70 percent of black students said the No. 1 reason for dropping out was their inability to pay tuition.
It would be foolish to assume racism has played no part in this humbling statistic. The disproportionate number of white students who graduate compared to other minorities isn’t an accident. It’s the product of past social policies, institutions, and laws that favored white Americans over minorities.
Look back to 1935 when most blacks were excluded from New Deal benefits and the Social Security Act of 1935 excluded domestic and agricultural workers, the great majority of whom were black.
The Wagner Act of 1935 allowed labor unions to exclude blacks from union membership, reducing competition for white laborers and forcing blacks into work with the smallest wages.
We know this was 75 years ago, but this and the countless years of racism behind it set the foundation for thousands of impoverished black families.
We have made progress — the fact we have a black president is proof.
But, we still live in the shadow of past, oppressive social policies. Poverty and low income due to racism still effect minorities seeking higher education.
College is supposed to be a marketplace of ideas. But as long as we remain unaware of the existing problems, we won’t gain a more diverse faculty or student body. And this is a disservice to Henderson’s legacy.
Don’t just read Henderson’s book. Let it inspire you to take a stand. Pledge to combat continuing racism and help us attain the goal of complete racial integration.
Comments
TheJeff 1 year, 5 months ago
Who are you demanding? The University? I hope the University is color blind and picks the best faculty.
The past? If it's just the past, then we're kind of helpless.
You say to fight the inequality without really giving any ideas. Why not propose real solutions to failure in lower education, or otherwise define the current problem and solutions.
Okie3L 1 year, 5 months ago
I want the most qualified, most intelligent, best professors possible. If that means that they're all white or all black or somewhere in between, so be it. Diversity at the expense of quality is detrimental, not beneficial.
briareus 1 year, 5 months ago
It must be nice to have such a simplistic worldview.
toastergirl 1 year, 5 months ago
I do believe this is the most ridiculous article I have ever read in my life. I dont even want to explain why, just look at the above comments. How many brain cells does it take to write an article on here?
kdbp1213 1 year, 5 months ago
in all industries, careers, etc., hire the most qualified, please...........
bruno 1 year, 5 months ago
What do you mean by "more equal number of faculty members"? I hate to be the one to break the news to you, and I know you don't want to hear it, but 80 percent of the country is white; 12 percent is black. I'll wager that even if 25 percent of the faculty were black, you'd still complain.
By the way, why is there no mention about the nearly all-black football and basketball teams?
mustafa 1 year, 5 months ago
What we need is for this university to adopt the Academic Bill Of Rights.
kenj33 1 year, 5 months ago
Seriously, are 10th graders the one's posting under "our view"..this paper is as big of a joke this year so far as it was all last year
mitc0155 1 year, 5 months ago
Funny, all the previous commenters on this article smack of white privilege. Do you not understand the implications of the article? It's not merely "we need more diverse faculty." It's an exploration of the roots of educational imbalance. Why, when I teach, do I find myself teaching mostly white men and women? Is it really only because the majority of the nation is white? That's a very shallow answer to a very deep problem. It's hard to believe that people nowadays really actually think that "everyone" has the same opportunity.
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