Breaking Boundaries
Some people think social justice has to be in a far-off country. I contend that it can be as close to home as a friendship.
My photo was taken on the steps of Hepburn Hall with a friend, a fellow co-worker Resident Assistant, and a person of inspiration to me. It was in this building, and on this campus that I discovered the beauty of breaking stereotypes, prejudices, and misconceptions.
Ashley has shown me pieces of her world, her history, her story. And I, too, have shown her windows into my world.
I’ll be honest—Ashley intimidated me at first. I had never worked this closely with someone of a different color. But all of the negative labels and the racial tensions and the fixed notions I had previously, vanished as I spent more time with Ashley. I developed an appreciation for her background, her values, and her interests.
I believe that Ashley and myself are a testament that it is possible to break the invisible walls that separate races. We have hope that the day will come when invisible lines will be no more, and humans will come to appreciate and value cultural differences rather than fear them.
Listen. Listen to someone’s story. Leave your judgments at the door. Step outside your comfort zone, outside your bubble. You might just be surprised by what you find.