Whatever the reason, Michigan has become one of the four most segregated states in the nation in terms of education.
The origin of this trend ranges from simple misinformation to the more serious threat of residential segregation. Despite many black families moving from urban settings into traditionally white suburbia, this state especially still faces this growing problem.
As black people move into a mostly white neighborhood, many white families move out. Called the “white flight,” what we see in Michigan is reflected nationally, as more families pack up and leave urban areas behind.
But how can you integrate schools with people who don’t live in the same place? After all, people can’t be forced to live in one neighborhood or another.
But they can be educated. And they can learn differences in skin color aren’t enough to pack up and move away.
Universities such as ours have the essential role of providing that education. The time spent among diverse groups of people in the dorms, in class and at campus activities is something we can all benefit from.
MSU does a decent job bringing people of diverse backgrounds to campus. The numbers of ethnic and social minorities here have been increasing, reaching an all-time high last year.
But, like in anything else, we can do more.
A more diverse campus would create a better environment for those who come here to adjust to living better with people of all races, ethnicities, social statuses and sexual orientations.
As of February, MSU reported it hosts 3,281 black, 3,519 Asian/Pacific islander, 321 Chicano, 225 Native Americans and 789 Hispanic undergraduate students.
It may seem like a lot at first glance, but out of the MSU entire student body, these numbers are a drop in the bucket. There could and should be more efforts taken to actively recruit minorities to campus.
Maybe through this, MSU could be the firebrand that other universities can take a cue from and spark a change throughout the country to reverse the trend that has been creeping through our cities.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a change we will be able to see right away. Many people are set in their ways and won’t change for the ideas of a mass of college students. For a time, the trend is nearly certain not to change.
It will take the open-mindedness and optimism of our generation when building our own lives to bring about this change.
This is something that can be set in place for those who come after us. So they can grow up in a diverse environment richer than any other with opinions, ideas and most of all, understanding.
