Speak up to Make
a Difference
This quote, attributed
to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., seems
applicable to many of the articles that appear
in this issue of Diversity Exchange. Hans Massaquoi
did not remain mute to the atrocities he encountered
during his youth in Nazi Germany. He made a difference
in the lives of individuals persecuted for their
religion, their race, or other identity factors.
He probably isn’t aware of lives he may
have saved.
Throughout my education
from kindergarten to graduate school, none of
my schools or universities had a woman’s
sports team. My high school Key Club was all male.
I once participated in an oratorical contest at
the local Kiwanis Club, whose membership was all
male. Thanks to diligent and persistent individuals
who refused to remain taciturn, Congress passed
the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prohibited
gender discrimination. Title IX of that Act enables
us to enjoy women’s athletics, and opened
the doors of civic and other service organizations
to women.
Perhaps if just one
individual hadn’t remained silent, the tragic
events of September 11, 2001 never would have
happened.
Rosa Parks wasn’t
silent. She said one word. That word was NO! And
that one word helped change a nation.
Diversity is valuable,
and our commitment to diversity should be a lifelong
process. We cannot afford to be silent when we
are witness to social injustice and discrimination.
We must seize the opportunity to speak up and
make a difference.
Larry W. Lunsford,
Ph.D.
Managing Editor
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