OUR OPINION: It’s more than time for we as a campus community to be tolerant of people with varying sexualities, gender identities, religions, and cultural ties. But tolerance isn’t enough – we must foster inclusivity as well.
We continue to make strides in social justice at the national level, from legalizing marriage equality to tackling a corrupt justice system. And when instances of discrimination on social media happened last semester, campus leaders and administrators were quick to open a dialogue about these issues.
Inclusion Now, a social justice campaign, is the latest and broadest of our efforts to improve the climate of social justice on campus. But we can’t let it be the last.
The cure for ignorance-based hatred is education. Part of getting a well-rounded education in our college years is expanding our knowledge of cultures and identities that may be outside of our own experiences.
If you’re not making an active effort to broaden your awareness, you’re not doing enough.
Education will foster tolerance. But, the next step is to make people, who may feel ostracized based on their sexuality, race, or gender identity, etc., feel welcome in our classrooms and our social circles.
We are stronger every time we add another voice to our community. We are weaker every time we shun them.
Our work is not done until our fellow students can be proud of all the pieces that make them who they are, without fear of judgement or prejudice from a community that is meant to be enlightened and open-minded.
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