Thinking about diversity

I am not surprised that Princeton is raising its voice in defense of racial discrimination in college admissions (Campus Notebook, Sept. 19). Even one of its former presidents famously did so. All, of course, in the cause of a “robust” diversity that is supposed to bring great educational benefits. 

Sadly, the chief diversity that seems to interest these folks is diversity in skin pigmentation; when it comes to diversity of opinions, which one might consider more directly linked to the educational enterprise, the enthusiasm slackens. And at the end of several years of benefiting from robust diversity, some (but not all) students get to celebrate separate (but, I am sure, equal) commencements. It’s best to laugh. Otherwise one would have to weep.