Common Ground

Post Diversity Class Recap:

First, my sincere appreciation for your attention and courage to speak on such a complex issue. I hope you each found the conversation insightful and thought provoking.

As we discussed in class, there are numerous different ways to identify oneself. Even in a fairly homogeneous class (homogeneous defined as first year students at Marymount), there was disparity between our own identities. Further, we noticed that our personal values are highly related to our identities. This relationship, an ever-changing and evolving relationship between our identity and that which we value, is just one part of the complex and difficult theory that is diversity.

As you progress through college, always remember that we have numerous identities, some self ascribed and some societal, and these identities play a major role in who we are and what we value. For this reason, always respect the values and identities of others, especially when they are different from your own.

At the end of class I asked you to complete a common ground activity anomalously. Reading through the responses, our seemingly homogeneous class shares many similarities. In fact, in each of the 12 categories there were at least three "YES" responses. As we move forward as a society and class, remember that we have differences but we share similarities as well. Never forget to respect the differences we share and to embrace that which connects us.