Reflections on Diversity

In my course on Self Images and American Identity through Theatre and Film, I try to capitalize on different sociocultural backgrounds and learning styles.

I often encounter a lot of resistance to discussing multicultural issues and sometimes try to use this resistance to foster awareness.

One day, while discussing Tony Kushner's "Angel's in America" as part of the gay and lesbian unit, one student asked if I was gay.

Without denying or confirming her question, I said to her, "During the African-American unit, no one asked me if I was Black. And when we studied the Asian-American unit, no one asked me to reconfirm that I was indeed from India.

"So," I continued, "what does this say about the assumptions we make about individuals based on obvious or unobvious characteristics?"

The discussion that ensued was one of the most valuable I've ever had with my students.

---Kaizaad Kotwal,
The Ohio State University