Diversity is the range of human differences – visible differences including race, ethnicity and age, and invisible differences such as religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, background, and ways of thinking.
There is no doubt that the U.S. is a diverse nation. No one looks the same; no one thinks or acts exactly the same. Diversity is generally thought of as the quality that makes the country strong, and yet today it seems, at least in some circles, that diversity has become a dirty word.
Troy Smith, a history professor at Tennessee Tech University, will address this conundrum in his talk “Challenges in Advocating for Diversity in Tennessee” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Art Circle Public Library, Crossville. This talk is sponsored by the Upper Cumberland Diversity Advocates.
In his talk, Smith will ask, “In this era of book banning and ‘divisive concepts’ laws, has diversity and inclusion fallen by the wayside? What are the challenges, and more importantly, what are the strategies to ensure diversity is achieved and promoted in the public sphere?”
In 2022, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted the Divisive Concepts Law, which prohibits higher education institutions in Tennessee from having mandatory training on 16 “divisive concepts” related to racism and sexism.
Smith is a strong voice for diversity and inclusion. He specializes in American and Native American history and Southern Appalachian culture. In 2018, Smith won Tennessee Tech’s Outstanding Diversity Advocate Award and in 2024, its Professional Service Award.
He is a member of the officers board of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Indian Movement and a Committeeman for the 15th district of the Tennessee Democratic Party.
Smith is also an award-winning historical fiction writer. His most recent works are the non-fiction book “A Liberal Dose: Communiques from the Holler,” political perspectives from the left; and “Shaolin Brew: Race, Comics and the Evolution of the Superhero,” a look at how the comic book industry developed originally from a white perspective but evolved to include voices of color.
Despite his successes, Smith describes himself as somewhat of an everyman. In his “Liberal Dose” blog, he says, “I come from a blue-collar, working-class family, and I was a janitor for over 20 years. My family has been in these hills for over two centuries. I am proud to be from Tennessee and proud to be from White County. These folks are my people.”