Separate but Together–is that Diversity?

When you think of Temple, what do you think of? Food trucks? Great programs? The city life? One of the reasons I chose to come to school here was, like many of you, because of its reputation of being a very diverse campus. Coming from a suburban town where the majority of people looked and acted like me, I was more than ready to experience different people and unique cultures. But, looking around after being here for a few months, I asked myself, is Temple really that diverse?
 
According to psychological research, people have a natural tendency to be attracted to people who look like themselves, whether it is in friendships or relationships. It makes sense- you know what you’re like and you’re comfortable with yourself, and naturally you would want to be around people who you already know are similar to you. Especially in the first few months of freshman year, we tend to cling to people once we declare a similarity, which could be you’re in the same class, part of the same team, or, as seen on Temple’s campus, you have the same color skin.

 
I’ve noticed on campus that so many different races or cultures are represented, but there isn’t a mixture of races. It’s just like being in my town again, except with more groups of people. I guess we are diverse because we represent so many people, but when I think of diversity I think of a blend of cultures. Sure, some people branch out and have friends of different sizes, colors and backgrounds. But, take a look at your own friends or just around campus, people watch. How do your friends look and act? Are you more sheltered or less eager to notice someone different than you are?
 
We all naturally have our own unconscious biases, even if we are not aware of them. I love meeting people who share the same interests. But ask yourself, what are you missing by not branching out? I’m sure you’ve heard people say that you learn as much if not more from the people you meet at college than your actual classes. The more variety of people you meet, the more you will grow as a scholar and as a person. You want the optimal college experience right? This is it.
 
It is hard to be aware of our biases because many of them are unconscious. It is human nature to cling to our own, but if you acknowledge that you may favor one kind or that you may be bias in some way, it is a lot easier to combat it. Make a goal for yourself, talk to one new person you would not normally approach every week. The worst thing that could happen is that the person is a total dud and you’ll never talk to them again. OR- you could meet the coolest person you’ve ever talked to and have a whole new experience with them that you would not have received if you had just brushed them off because their shoes were weird or they are a different race than you are.
 
Branch out, be diverse. There are so many types of people here; you might as well take advantage of it. You never know what amazing things could happen.