ABSTRACT
In the town of “Hillsdale,” the idea of diversity is well known and is generally considered to be well accepted. There is a city-sponsored committee created for the purpose of encouraging tolerance for diversity and preventing hate crimes. Many local residents pride themselves on their politically liberal viewpoints and consider the town to be one of the most open-minded and liberal in the state. For those people, Hillsdale is seen as a haven of progressive ideas encircled by a sea of conservatism in the surrounding rural counties. And it is true that in many ways Hillsdale is a relatively progressive and liberal community. However, this study was inspired by the idea that acceptance for progressive ideas often stops short when considering diversity in the schools of Hillsdale.
