All posts filed under: diversity

Why Connect?

Originally posted on PRinspires:
One of Project Reverso, Inc.’s tenets is Connecting Communities, and sometimes we’re reminded of the importance of making a concerted effort to do so. But at times it can be difficult to find real-life ways to connect with others from other communities. Over the last few years I’ve personally made a commitment to be as uncomfortable as possible by stepping outside of the comforts of my own cultural status quo. By going on multiple service trips abroad to intentionally reaching out to persons in the LGBTQ community to become friends I’ve gained perspectives that I would have otherwise never had. This summer and fall semester I took the opportunity to host two English learning foreign exchange students; one this summer from Colombia and this fall from Japan.  Under what other circumstances would I have the opportunity to live with individuals from cultures and communities that are polar opposites from that in which I grew up in? One student even admitted to being afraid once he realized that I wasn’t a white male…

Dealing with Race Relations as a Millennial: Why I appreciate the University of Oklahoma SAE video

Time and time again,  many people of color millennials have had to argue why we are not in a post-racial America. Granted, there are a few obvious occurrences, like racial profiling followed by police brutality, yet there are many that go unnoticed. Many of which take place on college campuses and in the work place. Let me make one thing clear, the statement that we are in a post-racial America has not only come from members of the majority, but also those that fall under the minority. I have heard this largely from elder people of color who feel that “my generation has no struggle.” This brings me to why I appreciate the SAE video. Numerous co-workers (including those of color) were surprised to see such behavior from a young generation. There are a variety of racial events that occurred on my college campus within the past five years (mind you, I’ve been an alum for one). One of these events involving a group of white males trying to hit a black female with their truck. Luckily …