Jun 3, 2017 6 min read

The creative arts in general and drama in particular have always compelled patrons to think about the unthinkable by focusing on the unspoken issues of the day.

Chaucer, Shakespeare, Moliere and Montaigne set the stage by dancing through the political and theological raindrops to usher in the age of modern man. More recently, Oscar Wilde famously opined in his 1889 essay, “The Decay of Lying,” that “life imitates art far more than art imitates life.”

Washington & Jefferson College has been caught up in this tradition of life imitating art, beginning with a 2016 drama written by William Cameron, a communication arts professor, followed by actual events on the W&J campus. Cameron’s play and the issues it raises, along with events at the college, have compelled me to rethink and draw new conclusions on the role of millennials in our national debate on racism and diversity.

Cameron’s play, “Intersect,” was presented on campus in April 2016. It explored the lives of several diverse students at a small, unnamed liberal arts college. Rather than presenting a setting of students from different races, religions and backgrounds living in harmony, the play addresses deep-seated prejudices and misunderstandings that lead to verbal and physical confrontations. The play does not present academe as a shining light ready to lead the next generation of students into an era of respectful tolerance. Instead, the play exposes the embedded intolerance in our future leaders (Ironically, a second new play, “This Kind of HATE,” written by a student, Ty Greenwood, recently premiered at W&J, and it also explores racial issues, though not in the context of college life).

As predicted by Wilde, the issues in “Intersect” have come to life on the W&J campus. Several weeks ago, a social media post, approved by the Student Government Association president, was interpreted as racist by many students. He stepped down, and the incident has sparked a deeper focus on racism and racial insensitivity on campus. Indirectly, diversity concerns have also moved to the forefront.

The following quote by the incoming president of W&J’s student government president, an African-American, ideally summarizes the problem: “It’s the little things that add up. If it’s a big thing it’s going to get attention. The little things stick with me. I don’t want students to sit on it and swallow it. I think W&J needs to act so that students know what to do when a racial incident happens.”

By all accounts, the attention focused on racism and diversity is seen as a positive development by the W&J student body, faculty and administration. This is not the late 1960s, when students felt it necessary to provoke conflict and take over campus buildings in order to facilitate change. The issues on W&J’s campus appear headed for a peaceful and forward-thinking resolution.

After viewing the Cameron play and conducting some further research, my thoughts on millennials and the future social development of our country have radically changed. Before, I believed that age was the most important factor in lifting us away from prejudice, fear of diversity and intolerance. I sincerely thought that, as our nation became younger, better educated and more in tune with multiculturalism, old ways of thinking would disappear.

As the Cameron play demonstrates, age actually has little to do with changing these attitudes. I have now come to understand that students, who grew up in homogeneous locations with little exposure to people with different backgrounds, are more likely to share the prejudices of their parents and communities. A light bulb does not suddenly go on and enlighten them to the benefits of different lifestyles and backgrounds simply because they enter a community full of diverse college students.

On the other hand, I have come to appreciate that early exposure to an urban environment makes all the difference. Young people who grow up in multicultural communities are way ahead of the curve when it comes to not simply accepting diversity, but demanding it.

I will provide two examples. First, I know several millennials who were born and raised in the sprawling farmland of Somerset County. These young people have had little social contact with anyone who is not white and/or Protestant. Those who attended college mostly graduated from state schools in areas that offered few opportunities to meet students from other backgrounds.

These individuals, now in their 30s, are mostly anti-immigrant and believe that African-Americans are not subject to discrimination. They also believe that whites and Christians, the only groups with which they are associated, are discriminated against and have been left behind in the social and economic pecking order. They have no wish to live in an urban area, and do not want ethnic or religious minorities moving into their communities.

In contrast are my recent experiences observing restaurant traffic in Vancouver, Toronto, Washington D.C., and Miami. All of the outdoor patios were overflowing with millennials from every conceivable ethnic and religious orientation. At every table, multicultural discussions were taking place. Clearly, these young people were enjoying the benefits of diversity. Moreover, these young diners will be the millennials who will continue to spearhead the resurgence in diverse, urban, residential living.

I have several thoughts on addressing this diversity gap among young adults. First, more geographically isolated colleges like W&J should consider having a diversity orientation session for all incoming freshmen. Washington County has little to offer students seeking new experiences in different cultures or religions. The college is the only game in town. In fact, we can only hope that W&J can be a positive influence for efforts to diversify Washington County.

Second, student travel, work study and internship programs offer opportunities to learn new cultures. I have long been in favor of a Peace Corps-style federal program that would forgive student loans in return for overseas service in Third World countries following college graduation.

Third, before young people can get beyond misinformation and prejudice about groups with whom they have had limited contact, they need a forum to ask and receive feedback on uncomfortable questions. Washington & Jefferson College is the best venue to facilitate such forums. The public should also be invited to learn about, say, young Muslim students who come here from other countries.

Cameron’s play highlights the folly of ignoring diversity issues until it is too late. Events at W&J demonstrate that racial and diversity conflicts are real concerns that require action. The sooner and more forcefully these problems are addressed, the better. W&J can then become a shining example of open dialogue and respectful tolerance for the rest of our community.

Gary Stout is a Washington attorney.