2008 Woodie Awards
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Speaker opposes diversity
Lecturer joins conservative group to battle multiculturalism.
By: Melissa Whitson
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: News
In recent months, Clemson University has sponsored an array of activities promoting diversity and multiculturalism on campus. While many would agree that such events as the One World Project and the upcoming International Awareness Week are necessary for opening minds to new perspectives and easing racially-fueled tension, some feel the need to question this idea.
On Monday evening, the Clemson Conservatives hosted Jared Taylor, a nationally recognized diversity lecturer, to present his views on why promoting multiculturalism is a weakness of today's society.
The lecture, entitled "Multiculturalism and Racial Diversity: Strength or Weakness?" focused on the disadvantages of a racially complex world and offered explanations as to why it is against human nature to desire true diversity.
"People are conscious of how they are different; people segregate naturally," observed Taylor. "It is a characteristic of the United States; it is a characteristic of the entire world. It is a mistake to assume it is wrong."
Nathanael Strickland, a junior studying political science and a member of the Clemson Conservatives since last fall, was fundamental in putting together the event.
Echoing Taylor's view, Strickland wonders why diversity is generally accepted as a positive part of society. "No one has stepped back to question if this is true," Strickland said.
As the editor of the online journal American Renaissance, Jared Taylor regularly addresses issues related to race, immigration and the workings of racially diverse societies. The Yale graduate has been criticized by some as fostering racist ideals and promoting parochialism.
However, supporters of Taylor argue that he is one of the few who have willingly stepped forward to question diversity's place in society. On Monday, Taylor made his opinions clear to a crowd of Clemson students, faculty and community members.
"Diversity of a kind we are often asked to celebrate is a weakness," said Taylor. "Only nations of European descent are the ones in which people have been bamboozled into thinking diversity is an advantage."
On Monday evening, the Clemson Conservatives hosted Jared Taylor, a nationally recognized diversity lecturer, to present his views on why promoting multiculturalism is a weakness of today's society.
The lecture, entitled "Multiculturalism and Racial Diversity: Strength or Weakness?" focused on the disadvantages of a racially complex world and offered explanations as to why it is against human nature to desire true diversity.
"People are conscious of how they are different; people segregate naturally," observed Taylor. "It is a characteristic of the United States; it is a characteristic of the entire world. It is a mistake to assume it is wrong."
Nathanael Strickland, a junior studying political science and a member of the Clemson Conservatives since last fall, was fundamental in putting together the event.
Echoing Taylor's view, Strickland wonders why diversity is generally accepted as a positive part of society. "No one has stepped back to question if this is true," Strickland said.
As the editor of the online journal American Renaissance, Jared Taylor regularly addresses issues related to race, immigration and the workings of racially diverse societies. The Yale graduate has been criticized by some as fostering racist ideals and promoting parochialism.
However, supporters of Taylor argue that he is one of the few who have willingly stepped forward to question diversity's place in society. On Monday, Taylor made his opinions clear to a crowd of Clemson students, faculty and community members.
"Diversity of a kind we are often asked to celebrate is a weakness," said Taylor. "Only nations of European descent are the ones in which people have been bamboozled into thinking diversity is an advantage."
