Schools

Cabrera Wins Diversity Essay Contest

Aptakisic Junior High seventh-grader Matthew Cabrera was the named winner of the school's essay content, held in conjunction with Mix It Up Week.

This is Matthew Cabrera's winning essay from the at .

In the beginning, God created ALL men equal. The constitution clearly states that all men are created equal. Yet, even in the 21st century, there seems to be a disconnection that is happening in our society. We still cannot embrace the beauty of diversity. Racism, discrimination, prejudices, stereotypes, ignorance and fear hinders us from developing relationships with people of different culture and thus prevents us from truly unraveling the beauty and power of diversity.

I must admit, I may be naive at the beginning on what diversity truly is, but after writing this essay, I have a new deeper sense of understanding of this complex and broad word- diversity, which I hope readers of this essay would have too.

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My parents moved to the United States of America in 1994. Five years later, I was born- the first one in our family to be born on American soil. Growing up, I was surrounded by two different cultures, the western culture and the culture that my parents grew up with in the Philippines which had a huge influence in my life.

Immigrating to a new country seems to me, is one of the most difficult things a person can do. They are often faced with new languages, new cultures, new value systems, and new food amongst many other obstacles. My parents had their own share of discrimination experiences since they moved to this country. Though both of them are professionals, they were told to "move back to the jungle where they came from", they were refused to be served in a fast food restaurant, their services were declined because of the color of their skin, just to name a few. It saddened me to hear these stories from them considering we now live in a borderless society.

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The issue of diversity is of extreme importance and great magnitude that it seems to be the buzz word of the 21st century. Diversity is a simple yet powerful word. Diversity is more than the color of the skin. It is being open-minded, embracing the uniqueness and individuality of each person from different backgrounds. We have to recognize, value and celebrate each other's interesting qualities, values, life experiences, and skills. It is having enough compassion for people from all walks of life. It is respect and sensitivity to each others differences, understanding that everyone is different but all of us can offer something extraordinary and that all of us have a right to shine. It gives us inspiration from different cultures that gives life an extra sense of excitement. Diversity fosters freedom---freedom to be who you are and to develop your strengths to its fullest potential. Diversity simply means beauty in variety. God created us and the world around us with such variety, diversity and uniqueness yet every creation compliments each other. Just imagine if the rainbow has one color....doesn't it look boring? Having one goal glues diversity although each of us functions differently to attain this.

Though we are slow at appreciating other foreign cultures, I believe that awakening the minds of younger generation to what diversity truly is, we can closely bridge the gap between humanity. True, we are diverse, yet, we all have common needs---the need to be loved and cared for, the need to belong, acknowledged and appreciated. When we realize the beauty of diversity, only then can we appreciate the beauty of living.

Our differences are what makes us unique and special and that alone should give us a sense of pride. While we are divided between nations and languages, we are all the same human beings---wonderfully and beautifully created by the hand of God.


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