| Diversity, multiculturalism, tolerance, acceptance | | | | My grandmother did not like that, but it was |
| & global awareness will truly enlarge your world | | | | sufficient for the racial undertones and biases to |
| and change your heart. Don't deny yourself this | | | | stop. Thereafter it was smooth sailing because I |
| glorious opportunity to experience personal | | | | confronted my grandmother's fear head on. |
| transformation and dream fulfillment. | | | | Often times stereotypes and racial bias is nothing |
| Part of succeeding as a college student is growing as | | | | more than a snap judgment derived from hidden |
| an adult and becoming mature enough to accept | | | | fears about a race someone usually knows very little |
| people who are not like you. Tolerance and | | | | about. |
| acceptance means we give people the freedom to | | | | Granted we all have bad experiences with people of |
| be their own unique selves without casting judgment | | | | all races, but that should not be reason to discard the |
| or putting our map upon them. | | | | entire race and ethnicity. |
| Keep an open mind and be willing to challenge any | | | | Truly there are brilliant and delightful people of every |
| stereotype you may have developed by reason of | | | | race on earth from whom we can learn things and |
| your parental upbringing. | | | | happily enjoy life together. My world travels to over |
| If we are honest with ourselves, we can find levels | | | | 50 countries and 6 continents has certainly proven |
| of conditioning and brainwashing from society and | | | | and taught me this. |
| even within our own family (perhaps unknowingly), | | | | Go eat lunch with somebody of another race or |
| where we improperly and erroneously began to | | | | cultural ethnic group. Be wise enough to realize that |
| believe an idea without first testing its validity. | | | | many wonderful contributions have come from |
| I know when I began to help out my youth Pastor | | | | people of all races. To deny yourself such meaningful |
| by providing a young African American a ride to | | | | interaction only short circuits and disconnects you |
| church, my grandmother got a bit nervous. Me being | | | | from your full potential. |
| the controversial and confrontational type, I | | | | Rather than being fearful and getting labeled a hater, |
| humorously challenged my Nana's racial fears and | | | | be a heartfelt helper to bridge the racial divide on |
| stereotype by saying: "What? You don't like black | | | | your campus and happily bring people harmoniously |
| people? Maybe I will marry a black woman." | | | | together. |