Diversity Essay Showcase

Diversity: A Lesson from Steve and Danielle
By Samantha Shoffner, Park Forest Middle School, Centre County
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Unfortunately, the following dialogue is common in our society almost everyday. Fortunately, I have this opportunity to create the dialogue in the way that I would like it to conclude.

Danielle: Hey Steve, look at that girl. She's the new girl. Isn't she strange? It looks like she's wearing some sort of weird African outfit and look at her hair, it's like a hurricane struck it or something.

Naomi (the new girl): Hello, I'm Naomi. Do you know where the snacks are? I'm getting a little hungry, and I really don't know where things are around here. I'm new here.

Steve: Just go straight down that hallway and when you reach the blue double doors, go through them and the snacks are right there.

Naomi: (with a pretty smile): Thank you so much! You've really helped me! Well, see you around!

Steve (smiling, too): Yeah, bye Naomi, nice meeting you!

Danielle (annoyed): Steve! What was that all about? Why were you talking to her?

Steve: What's wrong with you? There's no harm in being friendly!

Danielle: To that girl, yes there is. She's different. She looks . . . well . . .um. . . she looks--

Steve: Well you shouldn't always judge people by their skin color or how they dress or look, Danielle.

Danielle: How else can you judge them?

Steve: By who they are on the inside, not on the outside. Find out what they're like. You may be surprised.

Danielle: Really?

8teve: Yes, and there is nothing wrong with being friends with someone who is different in the way they dress, their skin color, the way their hair looks or anything! All that matters is what is on the inside.

Danielle: Oh, I get it now, Steve. That girl, Naomi, could be just like us on the inside. She's a kid, our age, with the same feelings, hopes, dreams and maybe interests. Right?

Steve: Right. Don't you see, when people make judgments like you just did, it just slows down the process of getting rid of prejudice in our world.

(Danielle goes over to Naomi at the snacks)

Danielle: Hey Naomi, want to come to the high school football game with Steve and me tonight?

Naomi: Sure, I've never been to one. But it sounds like fun.

Danielle: Great! It'll be a perfect time to get to know each other better. I'll introduce you to all of my friends.

This is an example of a girl who judges others on the outside, and a boy, who judges others on the inside. What happened in this scene does not always turn out the way this did, and I have seen in my life people being excluded for the way they look. That's just not fair. When I can, I am usually like Steve, but sometimes, when I am not involved in the situation, I cannot step in at that time, but I usually make an effort to make that person feel good in some way, like by complimentary comments, or introducing myself and starting a conversation. Being like Steve is not as easy as it seems. You must be confident and sometimes even brave to stick up for someone like Steve did even if it is behind the person's back. The partial cause of prejudice and violence in society today is displayed in a subtle way in the scene above. If, for each person in the world like Danielle, there was someone like Steve, our world and society today would be a much more pleasant and happier place to live. I think that although people are much more violent because of their differences, it is good that we all have our differences. If we were all the same, the world would be a very dull place to live. Let Steve and Danielle be a reminder that we should accept our differences and look beyond physical appearances.