Refusing To Go Away - Diversity Is Here To Stay
By Sandra Eckleberry , Harmony High School, Clearfield County
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Diversity. It affects us all, you me, the guy down the street, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, young and old; no matter what your beliefs or sexual preference. What diversity really boils down to is you, me and everyone else coming to terms with our beliefs, attitudes, expectations, and reaching toward comfort with the differences of others. Diversity isn't just for a specific group. It's for us all. We all, at one point in time, have been a victim of discrimination and stereotyped. Also, we are to blame for victimizing others too. What is our reasoning? What did anyone you've ever harassed do to you? Nothing, just like I thought.

The human species is classified as being ethnocentric. We believe ourselves to be perfect and judge others by our beliefs and our ideals of what perfect is. It is a human instinct to resist change and furthermore, accept those who are different. We seek and find trust in the company of people who are similar to ourselves.

Since the beginning of time, diversity has been struggling for peace between the human species. History is a prime example of the struggle of diversity. We have been cutting each other down for our differences, whether it be in politics, work areas, religious beliefs, or to overpower each other. Personally, I believe that how we treat each other is wrong. I believe that people should be promoted or rewarded on how well they do things. It shouldn't be on how well you like someone or how similar their beliefs are to yours. It's not fair to those who do the work and receive no credit at all just because the boss likes someone else better. How would you like it if it were you who was in that situation? You wouldn't. I believe that our happiness and well being all depends on our ability to live in peace with those around us.

There are many things that diversity has to deal with everyday. Some of these things we don't realize we do, because it was the way we were raised. Diversity will always struggle because we have the same mind frame as our ancestors unless we start now and make a change. But I highly doubt that we will, because we are too thick headed to admit that we have a problem.

The most common problem diversity faces is racism. Living in a community of mainly all white people, I see a lot of racism. Elders and classmates often use racial slurs as jokes, because they have never met a person who doesn't have the same skin color as themselves. It is wrong to judge people by the color of their skin. One day, we, the white race, may not be the dominant race in the world. When you live where I do, people don't understand other cultures and their people, which causes fear of the unknown. They are afraid of different races, because they are different. This fear is the cause of the racial slurs and ignorance that the people around me inflict on the people they have never met. Diversity is not practiced where I live. If it was, then the people would see the meaninglessness in the slurs they make about good people.

Similar to race, ethnicity is another thing that diversity can't beat. The human species is ethnocentric, meaning we privilege a certain ethnic group over others, whether we are aware of it or not. I've never witnessed this, since I live in a small community, but it still goes on. And it is completely wrong, everyone is equal. Giving privileges to people because of their ethnicity instead of what they accomplish, is wrong and immoral. I believe that everyone should have to earn their privileges.

Another very common misinterpretation has to deal with gender. Since the beginning of time women have been thought to be inferior to men. Our job in life was to stay at home and raise our children. Yeah right, not anymore. Since World War II women have been fighting for their place in the work force. Men are no longer the "bread winners". Even today, it is believed that the male gender is better at working than the female gender. There has been a group developed that supports the movement of feminism. This movement, supported by myself and others, advocates equal rights, status, ability, and treatment of women. They believe that in no way are women inferior to men, because we are not. I believe that just because a human being is a woman doesn't mean that she can't do the work that any man could do.

A type of discrimination that I don't understand is ageism. Ageism is the discrimination on the basis of age. Younger people believe that their elders are too old to drive, just because they are older. Older people believe that teens are too young to smoke, drink, vote, and drive. I think that age has nothing to do with anything. It all has to do with maturity and people mature at different ages. Something else I don't understand is you can vote at the age of eighteen, but you have to be twenty-one to drink. If you are too immature and young to drink, then why are you taking part in deciding our country's future? It doesn't make sense.

Another common problem in teens is classism. This is very common in schools. I witness it everyday. It is a proven fact that the more money you have, the more people want to be your friend. Schools have problems with fighting, stealing, and harassment, because of classism. Teens who have money to waste tease those who barely have enough money to survive on. They call these kids skuzzy, losers, and really hurt their self-esteem. It's not right. Instead of hurting these kids, put your money to good use. Buy them some soap or something to help them out, instead of blowing your money on something you don't need and won't use. The less fortunate teens need the education being provided for them to better themselves to get out of poverty. These teens usually drop out of school because of the harassment they receive everyday.

Have you ever stopped and stared at someone who has a disability. We all have done it. Many of us have made fun of these people. These people can't control or change what happened to them, but we make fun of them. Recently a classmate of mine dropped out of school for harassment he received because of something he couldn't control. He has a chemical imbalance in his brain, which makes him get upset over every little thing. We need to help each other, instead of hurting each other. That's what diversity is all about. Just because someone can't do things as well as others doesn't entitle them to the tongue-lashing they receive. It's cruel and uncalled for.

In our small minds we avoid people for their differences. A prime example is homosexual and bisexual people. Recently my cousin has announced that he is gay. Since then even his own family has avoided him, calling him names such as fag, queer, and a homo. They made him an outcast just because he prefers men. Everyone says that when a person is a homosexual it's okay with them. But when it happens to someone they know, they turn away in disgust. A few years ago a girl moved into my school district. She had a hard time making new friends because she looked and dressed differently. Then people found out she was bisexual. She received a tongue-lashing everyday for it. She couldn't walk down the hall without getting harassed. People would call her a dyke, lesbian, and many other horrid things. Why? Because she was different and her peers didn't understand. I'm not saying to pity them or pretend to be their friend, but there is such a thing called tolerance. No one deserves verbal abuse, not only because they are a homosexual, but for anything. That's what diversity is all about, tolerance.

Everyone remembers the horrid school shootings that happened in the recent years. Who deserves to die because of their spiritual beliefs? No one, they don't deserve it. If you don't agree with what a person believes that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but we don't need to hate each other for our beliefs. People don't all believe in the same god, if they believe in one at all. So why hurt each other over something you have no control over? In the end pain and suffering is all that is left.

Everyone enjoys a good joke, right? Wrong. Some jokes are painful to people. The jokes about blondes, homosexuals, obese people, and so many others are hurtful and cruel when they pertain to you. So take into consideration what you inflict on those who surround you.

Our "teasing" often leads to suicide. Someone just trying for acceptance ends up shattered. Hell has no greater fury than stripping someone of their pride. They try to be nice to you and all you do is spit in their face, laughing at the hurt they feel inside. Tortured so much they can't stand to live. They are tired of crying tears you've never seen. They feel humiliated. Do you seriously think they'll get over it? No, all you do is strike fear and pain on someone who wants to make a new friend. If you looked inside, you might be surprised at what you might find. The wounds you inflict never heal, especially if you rub salt into them. You destroy the person who could have who could have been the best friend you'd ever have. Why? Because you don't understand. Do you really want someone else's blood on your hands? If you answered no, then why not give diversity a chance?