Diversity. It’s a topic we all hear about consistently as we enter college and our new walk of life with what is yes, a very diverse group of people in one way or another depending on your university or college. Whether it is race, personalities, sexual orientation, socioeconomic backgrounds, religious preferences, or any and all other walks of life we may experience these forms of diversity unknowingly. The list is endless. Us college students seem to even do it already with our dorms in “clumps” that segregate up simply based on where we were designated to live.
In the midst of all this I, as well of others I have spoken to, seem to feel this need to attempt to take a look at our new life in a new light. Yes, diversity and its definition will differ at each school but how we treat others is a universal practice to all. As a speaker of ours worded it: it is simply “PHP,” people helping people.
During our orientation, my current university, Bucknell, has had a variety of appropriate, and even challenging, talks on this topic from our summer reading group to an all class speaker named Maura Cullen on diversity. Her comedic humor and new approach to this topic put many things into perspective as we noted later in small group discussions.
After these book group discussions and an all class assembly, this talk was in place with what I looked at as a series of conclusions and discussions of these topics. Statements in reaction emerged such as, “I was surprised by,” or, “Yes, I have caught myself saying such offensive phrases without even saying a word.” It was all a part of the process of perspective and learning to accept one another in this crazy mess called college we all know so well.
The portion that stuck with me most of Dr. Cullen’s speech was yes, the diversity topics, but mainly one thing she noted about simple kindness which is something I believe all should practice. She stated the importance of these simple acts of kindness, or “PHP” and putting everything in perspective.
“You have the power to be the person who makes someone want to stay at this university, or the one that makes him or her want to leave,” she stated, and it stuck.
We are all in the same boat of this mixing pot that is college and although having not experienced it yet first hand since I am only three days into school, I can start to see in clear vision how the small moments can help people feeling lost, afraid, or just in need of a simple smile or hello.
So, in conclusion of my short and sweet 500 words on diversity, I hope the takeaway is simply to do well. It not only makes your own experience better, but it also makes everyone else’s that much better as well, bettering the entire community. So try to be a part of this “PHP,” people helping people movement, and happy college move in to all.
