Or, regarding cultural appropriation:
“When you are unsure whether something may or may not be culturally sacred, it is important to discover and unpack ‘the why’ of your uncertainty (is it warranted or is it not) in order to expand your level of cultural awareness. The key is reflection” (boldface and emphasis in original). And the Office of Equity offers a simple rule of thumb for whenever you’re worried about cultural appropriation: “Reflection: ‘When in doubt, back out.’”
(Incidentally, the office also warns against using the phrase “rule of thumb,” because, it says, “The use of the phrase lacks understanding of the origin; [the] phrase comes from an 18th century law that legally allowed men to physically assault their wife with a stick no thicker than their thumb.” This, in fact, is not true, although it has propagated across campus DEI websites and guides. Amusingly, the Office of Equity itself uses the phrase elsewhere in the same document: “As a general rule of thumb, if you are unsure of where to start, DO NOT immediately go to a friend or colleague that is part of (insert marginalized identity here) and ask them for suggestions.” The office should perhaps reflect.)
The reflection common to NYU’s “reflection papers” and the University of Colorado’s “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access 101" is not open-ended. After sufficient reflection, you will always arrive at the same answer, the one prescribed by the authorities. “What have you done or need still to do to make things right?” NYU asks its protesters. “So, what can I do?” the University of Colorado asks its students and faculty members to ask themselves. “This work requires constant, consistent, and intentional engagement with yourself and others that you interact with on a daily basis.” After all, “Transformation is not easy.”
