Editorial: Center-Centro defeats Inclusion-Inclusión 
February 26, 2009 by Editorial staff
Education is the foundation of open-mindedness. As UNLV makes strides toward greater diversity and inclusion, we must remember that our efforts should be directed toward benefiting the environment in which we learn.
We should not be satisfied with a stagnant symbol of the current level of cultural enlightenment at this institution.
While the name of the new Multicultural Center-Centro Multicultural reflects a sense of respect for our existing cultural diversity, it fails to reach beyond the status quo to pave the way for greater intelligence surrounding inclusion. If the openness of diversity is founded on education, then any initiative aimed at increasing openness should be founded on the idea that as students learn, inclusion will grow.
Naming the multicultural center in English and Spanish but no other languages creates a boundary around the area in which intelligence about diversity can expand. The title sends the message that with the inclusion of Hispanic cultures we will have achieved our goals. We cannot afford a perspective this limited.
The center should be named in English only. That is not to say English-speaking cultures are superior to others, and it is not because a majority of our students speak the language. English is the language of instruction at UNLV and our multicultural center, like everything about this university, should support a dynamic philosophy of education that furthers the fundamental aims of the school.
Even if every language spoken at UNLV was represented in the name of the multicultural center, the title would still be flawed. It would fail to uphold the principles of learning that we strive for, by excluding the possibility for change.
What if a new student spoke a language that never been heard on our campus before? Could we expect the multicultural center to adapt its name to remain fully inclusive?
Perhaps more importantly, what if an unrepresented language goes unnoticed because a speaker is alone or feels uncomfortable? Wouldn’t the goal of complete inclusion be defeated if any student’s language was silenced? Wouldn’t exclusion of a culture on the basis of ignorance stand in opposition to any attempt at growing diversity?
A Multicultural Center would serve the UNLV community better than the Center-Centro because it would not undermine policies by which education aims to further cultural inclusion by failing to accommodate change and the rise of new voices.
We hope the Rebels will transcend the symbolic limits placed on diversity and unity by the Center-Centro’s title and continue advancing toward educated thought about different cultures.
The point is that one day we’ll all be educated enough to be accepting and tolerant of (absolutely irrelevant) stuff, like bilingual titles, without wasting time and energy complaining about it. Or so I hope :]
If you hate spanish so much, you can still call it the Houssel house!
I agree with the previous comment. The name of the new center has little to do with a stagnant policy towards diversification; if anything it shows that it is a move forward.
I find it interesting that you are advocating for the complete removal of the “CENTRO” part of it as opposed to the addition of maybe the other top five or ten languages spoken by UNLV’s students. The implication that Spanish caters to only ONE culture is offensive to me as a Spaniard. I speak Spanish and my culture is diverse and rich as are the over thirty nations that have Spanish as a primary language.
It is also interesting that “white” privileged students from fraternities and ladies from sororities are the most outspoken individuals. It goes to the fear of the uknown.
I for once hope that we have more and more centers throughout the campus with different names to show proper respect for the many cultures we have; but don’t say that this center is exclusive unless you have any actual proof at least more than just your personal assesment.