I heard the strangest thing the other day. Two people in Starbucks chatted about who had the more “diverse” set of friends. To me, it sounded like they had a collection of things instead of people. Like it was 1999 and they were comparing rare Pokemon cards. “Look here’s my Black card.” “Look here’s my Asian card.” “Oh, you have a Filipino! Super rare!” It was pretty disturbing. It doesn’t make you diverse if you have friends of different races. In fact, it makes you foolish if you go around picking out people to be friends with based on race.

Here is a radical thought; skin color doesn’t define diversity. Character does.

As a mixed-race girl, I will tell you that diversity isn't about skin color. It's about a mindset you maintain. True diversity is about exposing yourself to different schools of thought. If everyone you know thinks the same way that you do, then it doesn't count as diversity. Race has nothing to do with it. The color or your skin is a superficial expression of difference, it doesn't equate actual contrast. If you want to challenge yourself, and you truly want to think of yourself as someone who is "diverse", then converse with people who THINK differently than you. Have a meaningful conversation with someone who has a different worldview. Different cultural, not just racial, political, or moral beliefs are true expressions of difference. If you are a Democrat, find a meaningful way to have conversations with a Republican in a way that you can both express your ideas and exchange information instead of just validating your own beliefs with the same circle of people. If you are a Republican, take a chance and discuss the president with a Democrat to see what they are feeling about why this presidency doesn't work for them.

Compare eastern and western values. What is it that you value in life? Beauty? Leisure time? Family? Friends? Mingle with people who have different lifestyles than you. If you take a moment to listen to someone that you normally wouldn’t see yourself associating with you may change your point of view and connect with others in a surprising way. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is comfortable and easy. Place yourself among people who make you think about your own perspective instead of just agreeing with it.

True diversity is about real contrast, not superficial ones.

You can have friends that are all different races from different locations but if they all think the way that you do it isn’t diversity. To be truly diverse you must contrast your way of thinking not just the way things appear on the surface.