TIMES OF ISRAEL
Excluded on my ‘all-inclusive’ campus
by Rina Steinberg
December 21, 2015

About a month ago, I attended a mandatory workshop for first-year students at the University of Michigan called “Change It Up!” In this workshop, students were encouraged to build inclusive and safe environments where all people, and all opinions are respected and valued. We were told to avoid using “microagressions,” which is basically everyday language that may contain the slightest tinge of something offensive. The blithe message of “Change It Up!” is wonderful, albeit in an ideal, flowery world where all of us are able to shout our beliefs and opinions freely from the hilltops. The hard truth is that the University of Michigan does not offer this ideal campus environment. In fact, my campus is far from ideal. The investigation of Jesse Arm by the Central Student Government at the University a few weeks ago proved to me that this world is both a myth and a fallacy. Our campus is not inclusive of all students and it is not respectful of all opinions. I, for one, most certainly do not feel included. READ MORE