LETTER: Educational system should be changed to reflect cultural diversity in America

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by Irphan Gaslightwala

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To the editor:

I am writing in response to Lisa De La Torre's letter to the Thresher on Feb. 16 ("Desire to learn about own culture should not be perceived as ignorance, racism").

I was moved to respond, not only as an Asian-American woman, but as an intelligent human being and a member of the global community.

De La Torre argues that it is more important in this country to learn about Western cultures than others because "it is most rational to choose to learn about the history of the culture that will be the most useful in your day-to-day living -- that of the country in which you live."

She also states that an Asian history class is "not as useful as the standard humanities class."

De La Torre ignores the fact that the United States is comprised of people from many different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

The group of Western-European cultures to which she refers is neither the only nor the most important aspect of this society.

Furthermore, the U.S. educational system should not ignore the importance of understanding non-Western cultures in our development of our roles as citizens of the global community.

De La Torre implies that it is not as important to study Asian cultures as Western cultures because they are not as useful to our success.

De La Torre does not realize the implications of neglecting the majority of non-Western cultures within our educational framework.

The results of that neglect are evident in De La Torre's obvious insensitivity to non-Western cultures, but the repercussions are much more far-reaching.

As long as ignorance is fostered and condoned, the same lack of equality responsible for the worst offenses against human kind will continue to plague our society.

The year is 1996 and we have a responsibility to be educated members of a larger global community.

I find it inexcusable and unacceptable to shirk this responsibility.

College gives us the opportunity to open our minds and to appreciate many diverse cultures from around the world, not only in the classroom setting, but also through interactions with our peers.

If you choose to close your eyes and your mind to this opportunity, then you are culpable for every offense that your ignorance breeds.

Instead, I urge you to seize the opportunities that surround you to enrich yourself.

Two such opportunities are coming up this weekend. First, the Lunar New Year Festival will be held this Fri., Feb. 23, in the Grand Hall of the Student Center from 3 to 6 p.m.

Secondly, India Night is being held on Sun., Feb. 25, in Hamman Hall from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The SAS and the ISAR are sponsoring this event. I invite everyone to come and experience the richness of these cultures for yourselves.

As we move into the next century and toward a global community, the best thing that we can do for ourselves and each other is to seek understanding of our diversity.

That understanding can only be achieved by educating ourselves and learning to appreciate, not just tolerate, one another.

Shin-Wen Kuo

WRC '96

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the February 23, 1996 issue.

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