Apples and Oranges (Herald Press Letter to editor)

Apples and Oranges

by chris lahr

4/25/07

Comparing Huntington University with the City of Huntington is like comparing apples to oranges. Or better yet, it is like comparing apples to a fruit basket. The world over, cities are a place of diversity. Think about the things that make up a city: there are churches (both multi-ethnic and ethnic specific), stores, barber shops, clubs for men, clubs for women, boy scouts, girl scouts, Temples, bowling alleys, government buildings, etc. Sticking with the analogy, cities are like huge “fruit baskets” and the institutions within that city are the “fruit.” The finest fruit baskets have a diversity of fruit.

To become an “All-Inclusive” city we need to see ourselves as a big fruit basket, not a blender. Becoming “All-Inclusive” does not mean that all of the institutions become the same (refer to the Myth of the Meting Pot; Fri. April 20). Even in larger cities like Philadelphia, each institution has different criteria making them unique.

It is true that Huntington is a tremendous asset to the community of Huntington, but not for a second should we expect them to lose their identity as an institution. The fact is, the city of Huntington is 97% white, which is a significantly higher percentage than the national average (Indiana is 88% white and the United States is about 75%). The real issue here is that one of Huntington’s institutions has the desire to become more ethnically diverse. In order to do so, the city must truly become inclusive.

The mission statement says it well, “We recognize our citizens as our most valuable resource. We acknowledge, the people who live and work in our city as our greatest assets. Their ethnic, economic, and religious diversity provides the strength that holds our community together. The city of Huntington Indiana is a community of civility and inclusion, where diversity is honored and differences are respected.”

I applaud the Council’s decision to declare Huntington an Inclusive Community. I look forward to the journey that lies ahead for us all.