By Dennis Shin '96
Reflecting the current political sensitivity on race relations at the national level, an informal debate in the Kaufmann Auditorium of Goldwin Smith Hall on the merits of multicultural education turned into a heated exchange Feb. 28, as members of the audience participated in the discussion.
Moderated by Dean of Students John Ford, the debate featured Star Parker, a self-described conservative radio host from California, and Don Barr, professor of human service studies in the College of Human Ecology. Both speakers were asked to address the question, "Multicultural Education: Is It Helping or Hurting Race Relations?"
Describing herself as a former welfare recipient who founded her own publishing corporation 10 years ago, Parker told the audience how she went on to found and direct the Coalition on Urban Affairs after her business was destroyed during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Her current organization, she said, has identified patterns among the urban poor that demonstrate the negative effects of multiculturalism.
Parker argued that multicultural education divides people and prevents the consolidation of a common American experience.
"We have to identify a common goal and a common culture rooted in the moral law of a free-market society," Parker said. "The alternative would be a martial state of socialism, and I don't think any of us want that for our children."
She identified two courses of action to help heal racial problems in American society. First, incorporate minorities into the current structure of U.S. history without creating "separate but equal" histories. According to Parker, re-writing history is not the answer.
"We can't get around the fact that European white males conquered this land," she said.
To advance as a society, Parker stressed the second approach of each individual accepting the responsibility to change personal attitudes concerning race. In her view, the leveling of the playing field takes place in one's mind.
"You cannot regulate racism," she said. "Regardless of how hard you try, there is nothing that the government or the hierarchy of learning institutions can do. It has to be dealt with one-on-one."
Barr, who teaches the course "Racism in American Society," recently finished writing the book Transforming Power Through the Empowerment Process. He told Parker she had misinterpreted the definition and purpose of multicultural education. In his view, multicultural education celebrates diversity by bringing it into the learning process and opening access to valued resources.
He described educational institutions, from elementary schools to universities, as appropriate forums to stress the theme of inclusion and combat oppression. Nurturing such dialogue is important, Barr said, because "the world of tomorrow, the world that students will be moving into, is going to be totally different."
Educational programs and curricula are not keeping up with dramatic changes in cultural demographics that are re-shaping American society, he argued.
Parker repeatedly attacked Barr for having a hidden agenda and belonging to the "conspiracy" behind multicultural education. She denounced such programs, describing them as radical tools of social engineering used in attempts to deconstruct the principles of the "founding fathers." Her comments frequently roused members of the audience, who challenged her views on such topics as affirmative action, the role of capitalism in race relations and the definition of "mainstream America."
Ivy Leaguers for Freedom and the Intercollegiate Studies Institute sponsored the debate.
"The goal of our organization is to de-politicize the academic curriculum and stimulate debate," said Michael Capel '98, president of the Cornell chapter. "I think we accomplished part of that tonight."