Collegiate Times

Why can’t we let go of our biases for once and accept each other despite the difference in color and race? After all, the same blood flows through all of our veins and everyone’s body is made with the same basic components like any other. We are different only when it comes to our opinions and personality, but in the end everyone is the same typical human being.

In my opinion, the cultural and ethnic diversity in today’s American society is like the icing on a cake; it adds that extra charm to an already beautiful place to live. However, it makes me sad to realize there are people who aren’t glad the cake has an icing on it. Instead, they are critical of it. Even a garden with just one type of flower will be an eyesore.

I asked a few people if they want to go on a world tour before I started writing this column and almost everyone started blurting out a list of places they wanted to visit during their lifetime. I couldn’t help but chuckle and recall an old Nepali saying,

“Nazik ko tirtha hela,” which means “you value the temple less just because it’s near to you.”

I know it’s a nice sight to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Great Wall of China, but if you really consider the reason you are trying to visit such places, it is to taste a bit of their culture.

So why even spend thousands of dollars to visit those places when you can experience the same in your neighbor’s home or in the culture groups here at Tech? You can stop by the second floor of Newman Hall any time, which is world theme housing, to get a virtual tour of the world.

Although it does not have representatives from every country throughout world, it is still a good example of diversity close to home. The boys’ resident advisor, TJ Medina, was kind enough to show me around and introduce me to the foreign students and I had a great time learning about their cultures. There are also numerous international groups on Virginia Tech’s campus, which can give you a great taste of foreign cultures right here in Blacksburg.

So my humble request to all of us is this: Let’s try to change our perception for once and accept one another for who we are and spread harmony, since — after all, America is about diversity.

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A version of this article appeared in the Sep 30 issue of the Collegiate Times.