Diversity and discrimination

When I think about diversity, I feel warm because to me diversity is a mixture of things or people that come together to add variety to a situation. And as the saying goes, ‘variety is the spice of life.’ Variety in my mind changes the atmosphere and adds flavor to many things. However, that’s how I think and although it aches me, I have become conscious to the fact that many people don’t share the same feelings about diversity, variety, inclusion, cooperation etc. Many people are drawn to the opposite, and support discrimination, segregation, separation and its likeness. Diversity doesn’t end discrimination, and it often negatively impacts minority groups.

I remember being a freshman in college and experiencing what I believe was discrimination. The school that I attended, I would considered somewhat diverse. It was a mixture of probably 60% Caucasian and 40% minorities. The staffing was about the same. As a freshman, I tried to stay on top of my game and worked very hard. However, in one class I was getting a B on all my assignments, so I inquired about it with the instructor. Just to find out what I could do differently to make sure I got an A. I asked, “what’s stopping me from getting an A in my assignments and she responded, “ummm it’s just the way you write.”

“Just the way I write? What do you mean?” I asked. And she said again it’s just the way you write. That’s the only response I was given. So, I went to my English professor (whose class I was averaging A in) and I asked her about my writing. Like I expected, she said she didn’t see anything wrong with it and couldn’t offer any suggestion for changing it. I decided that that wasn’t the school for me. Because if I attend a school I don’t want to be graded lightly or harshly because of my race. I want to be graded on the quality of work I produce. And I knew that sometimes being the only minority, in some classes may lead to alternative reasons for my  grades.

I’ve heard and witnessed many similar stories involving different groups. The one thing that stays true in each situation is the humiliation and disgust that people experience when they are treated that way. Although society has come a far way in bridging the gap of segregation, there is still a lot of work to me done. Sometimes it seems impossible, but we can’t stop trying.

 

 

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