Why? Because as the kids in the integrated classroom interacted and helped their disabled classmates, they processed the materials they were learning in a different way (something like teaching vs more passive absorbing). It's good to be exposed and challenged with different ways of thinking, and to have to explain yourself differently too; really a key component to understanding who you are and that you can choose to change.
Integration is different from diversity of course. With integration, there is a clear majority perspective that is normative and the minority tries to fit in. An embrace of diversity implies that there may be no generally accepted norms at all, a less comfortable proposition for everyone, a sort of anarchy of values. It's worth spending some time on that distinction- I think it puts into question traditional liberal values and explains a lot today- from fights on campus to issues with immigration in Europe. For another blog though....
In any case, the opposite of both concepts is when everyone is largely of the same background, a monolithic culture. And that's often a disaster, even when it is done out of charitable intent or, the opposite, selfish or self-protective. Here are three examples:
Housing that separates low income people and pushes them together has been largely discredited in favor of integrated strategies that put low or middle income housing together with more high end housing. One of my favorite stories is from high end housing in Florida- so called gated communities, created in large part to maintain exclusivity and keep crime out... Until it became clear that the children and grandchildren of original owners, within the gates, were stealing and turning to criminal activities. There may be a lot of points here, but the key one is that also upper income housing doesn't seem to "work."
Public schools that have poor populations have clearly not done well. Interestingly, wealthy private schools, while academically performing, have been criticized for social environments that are unrealistic and unhealthy-- not only entitlement, but also loaded stress and mental health issues abound. Unfortunately, in spite of all of this, NY has some of the most segregated schools, not only an embarrassment but a real loss for everyone. So many educational initiatives focus on how to improve poor schools, a laudable goal; but one wonders whether old fashioned integration isn't the most natural and best answer.
And then I'm loving the studies of companies that show teams of leaders with more diversity create better, more successful companies. The reason- it boils down to assumptions being challenged. I've seen it framed both in terms of men-women and in terms of ethnic diversity.
Of course diversity is relative- and nothing is really ever truly monolithic. But increasing diversity generally increases quality.
We are lucky to live in such a truly diverse city- only sorry we don't take more advantage of that.
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