If we glimpsed at Dewick dining hall from above, we would all discover clear ethnic division among Tufts students. Tunes from African-American rappers overwhelm one table, talkative Latin Jumbos chat in Spanish at another, Asian Americans speak quietly at several others, and cap-and-baggy-pant-clad Americans are present at more tables. I, along with several peers, observe this fragmented pattern daily.
Perhaps such divisions amidst our Jumbos results from existent separation in campus housing and University activities. Houses at Tufts include, among others, Spanish, African-American, Asian- American and German houses. The opportunity to choose a home at college from various ethnicities is wonderful, but does it not encourage separation between students? Similarly, clubs and freshman International Orientation are activities that foment students to form an international community that once again is not wrong, but rather a probable cause of split ethnicities.
Although all Tufts students speak English, language does not tend to unify. Different languages are consistently heard on campus. To use one's mother tongue simply takes less effort. As an Argentine student, my Spanish is different from that of other Latinos. However, it does not stop me from feeling at home with my fellow peers from Latin countries.
The different groups at Tufts are a hot topic among my friends. We find that bonds are created among students because distance from home and similar culture, background, and language bring us together.
From my experience with international and American students, individuals within ethnic groups have similar personalities and interests. Latin students tend to enjoy merengue or salsa, whereas Americans lean towards techno. Dewick has shown Asian Americans to be more hushed and African Americans to be louder. Culture and environment may possibly affect character, nonetheless, it is certain that similarity encourages division across those lines.
Moreover, difference in character between ethnicities has negatively influenced mixed relationships of, for example, African Americans with Latinos or Asian Americans with Americans. Couples of different races are nearly non-existent.
Tufts is not alone with respect to ethnic division. According to a number of Jumbos, ethnic groups also form clusters at international high schools abroad. The difference is that housing or school activities may not provoke it. Do I think campus housing or activities are the fundamental cause of ethnic division at Tufts? No. From my perspective as an international student, the split is natural. Protection, as another student mentioned, is a factor that renders it that way. One may wonder, protection from what? I believe it is protection from what is different. For international students, this physical environment is foreign and perhaps a similar social world is important to cushion the shock of adaptation.
Common roots, common language, and comfort are sentimental factors that pop into mind as triggers of bonding within each racial group. A natural bond develops within groups from instinctual attraction, similarities, empathy, and a reminder of home.
Is division among students wrong? I think this is a controversial issue. Perhaps such division is a cause for problems of discrimination. On the other hand, how can a natural bond be wrong? Diversity is important. International students are its source and thus, a significant part of the student body.
Lisa de Elizalde is a freshman who has not yet chosen a major.
