DIVERSITY: MAY/JUNE 2022 ISSUE
This article was originally published in German. The English version is an automatic translation and may contain errors. The German original is authoritative.
Dear readers,
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, we can speak of a real semester start again. University is up and running again, and even in person! This means for us that we can finally place the Sprachrohr in all corners and nooks of the university for you again. We're delighted about that!
Our main theme this time is: "Diversity". And that can mean quite a lot of things. Especially in political discourse, "diversity" is a hot topic. It has the potential to spark strong debates, whilst in other areas it can settle conflicts. But you only really notice how important diversity is when it's missing. For example, when apart from salt and pepper no other spice has found its way into the pot. But also when one-dimensionality can be seen in culture, in societal debates, or in the media representation of individuals. Then we miss diversity. We also miss diversity when biodiversity dies out. It would also be absent in literature, or if we were only shown rom-coms at the cinema. But diversity can also spark conflict. For instance, when religions that contain a claim to exclusivity clash with one another. Or when species diversity continues to die out and living creatures fear for their existence, or when positions clash against each other in disputes over opinion.
In our understanding, however, diversity is an important step towards unity and understanding. In the philosophical monad doctrine, for example, Giordano Bruno advises us that we must recognise and protect the unity of the world if we want to preserve diversity. The fact that we are currently losing this diversity of plants, animals, languages, cultures and perhaps also opinions could be a sign that we have lost this supposed unity. All the more important, therefore, is it to leave the one-way street of taking, making, using and losing, and to take a step towards openness, plurality, multiculturalism and diversity. The world can be very beautiful
when you look at it more closely outside of blinkers.
With our first term as new editorial leadership, it was therefore an important concern for us, true to the main theme, to make the newspaper itself more diverse. Internally, this meant: new areas of responsibility, which gave our editorial team more responsibility, which enabled more freedom in writing and thus a broader range of reading material for you, dear readers. Furthermore, we have opened up the previously rather entrenched programme of art and literary contributions in the direction of science and culture. Don't worry, we are still well equipped with creative texts, stories, poetry and socially critical contributions – that goes without saying. But in order to preserve the diversity of students (which goes beyond political science and teacher training) and thus to maintain our diversity, in this issue we are also intensively engaging with academic achievements of Uni Würzburg, with scientific contributions and studies. Furthermore, in the future you will be able to read about Würzburg's cultural offerings in the new section "Reviews", so you can be inspired if you wish. Have you ever been to the Mainfrankentheater? Or pottery at Cairo? Our authors test it and report on it for you!
Our goal with the many small renovation works on the Sprachrohr was, on the one hand, to showcase the diversity of journalism, and in addition to our literary offering to represent the diversity of the (academic) offerings in Würzburg, and thus also the diversity of students. And now that we are finally allowed to see the university premises from the inside again, we can actively live this diversity again. We ourselves are still somewhat bewildered after such a long time to be allowed to enter the university again, but we are also looking forward to seeing new faces again, getting to know new people and really being "students" again. So, take the chance to experience and help shape all the different and interesting people and events that Würzburg and the university have to offer! The unity of humanity lies in the diversity of individuals – don't let it be taken from you, and let us together try to preserve it. The Sprachrohr is an attempt on our part to make a contribution to that end.
And with that: enjoy reading!
Yours Louisa and Francis