The Collegian reported yesterday that Vice Provost for Educational Equity Terrell Jones recently told members of Undergraduate Student Government Senate Diversity Committee: "You can't talk about diversity since you're all white."

In an article written on April 12, 2001, he was quoted as saying, "I don't think most white people are particularly good at dealing with race issues."

Jones should re-evaluate these statements for two reasons.

People of all races are capable of talking about diversity, and by saying such things, he is alienating a large group of people who might otherwise be activists for change.

He needs to rethink what the definition of diversity is, because it is more than just a black and white issue.

Aren't there white homosexuals? Aren't there white women? Aren't there white immigrants? Aren't there white people with disabilities?

All of these groups fall under the blanket term of diversity. For this reason, whites are quite capable of talking about diversity — the race itself represents a diverse group of people.

Perhaps the Vice Provost of Educational Equity should change what his notion of diversity is; if he excludes these groups, he is obviously not serving the entire collegiate community in his work to achieve equity on campus.

Furthermore, in saying that white people "can't talk about diversity" and aren't "particularly good at dealing with race issues," he sets back the very cause for which he works.

If you tell people they can't do something, chances are they won't even try.

We think many students and faculty members could be discouraged from trying to understand diversity issues after hearing or reading the comment Jones made.

Those white people who have worked to understand diversity and deal with race issues might be angered or upset by his comments.

We understand that under some circumstances people get emotional and say things they do not necessarily mean.

That Jones made a comment against a specific group in two separate instances though would imply that he really means it.

As an officer for equity he has a responsibility to reject stereotypes of all races.

By saying such things, Jones made himself an obstacle rather than a gateway to a more welcoming community.

We agree that there are differences between ethnic and racial groups that appear to be insurmountable.

Promoting the understanding of those differences is what will make this campus receptive to the very ideals Jones claims to work for, equity and diversity.

By going into the process with the preconception that some groups are incapable of understanding others, Jones is ending that process before it begins.