Discussing diversity: It’s indispensable Staff Editorial

Photo by Ariella Bucio

Just like how Legos are different shapes, sizes and colors, we at LHS come in all different shapes, sizes, colors and
backgrounds. We are all unique and diverse, which is what helps LHS build a stronger and more accepting community.
It can be hard to understand diversity. Based on who we are and how
we view the world from our own microscopic lenses, we simply cannot
understand every perspective out there. As individuals, we come from all
different backgrounds, and knowing every detail about every difference
that is present among the human race is nearly impossible. However, the
Drops of Ink staff feels that it is imperative to be open and willing to try
to understand the variations that are present among all people.
We define these differences, this diversity, not only as differences pres-
ent in race (as diversity is so commonly defined), but also as a variety
of thoughts, perspectives, opinions, abilities, genders, sexualities and
socioeconomic circumstances. Diversity is simply any distinction that is
present within a group or situation.
These differences are the one commonality that every person shares,
and if people are willing to have conversations about the differences
among each other, so much can be gained. Simply hearing about other
people’s experiences can help build a new perspective or understanding
of an unfamiliar idea, religion or culture, for example. The more that we
are exposed to diversity, the better. As we are exposed to it more, we are
less likely to think that solely our perspectives are the “right ones.” For
example, in a 2016 case study done by The Harvard Business Review,
more ethnically diverse work teams were found to be more successful
when faced with having to make a decision, as those teams were able to
recognize their own personal biases and be more objective.
Additionally, by being exposed to diversity, we are able to recognize
that maybe what we thought was a “weird” tradition from one group is
simply something that we didn’t understand before, and that other groups
may view things that we do as “weird” as well. We are able to recognize
that our customs and traditions are not the only ones that exist, nor are
they the only ones that matter.
As a staff, we also feel that exposure to diversity, whether it is through
a simple conversation or by visiting a new place, helps to break stereo-
types. If people were to live in the same area, surrounded by the same
people with the same ideas for their entire lives, they would be limited to
that one viewpoint. Without being exposed to different cultures and ideas
and ethnicities and opinions, they would only understand diversity from
one scope, which is what allows stereotypes to exist. On the DOI staff,
various members shared stereotypes that they had prior to being exposed
to diversity at different points in their lives and how they came to realize
that these stereotypes were a result of their ignorance or perceptions.
Some of these stereotypes included prejudice against cities that staffers
had never visited and the fear that some staffers felt when walking past a
group of African-American men.
By admitting some of our own prior stereotypes, we were able to have
a genuine discussion and came to the conclusion that the only thing we
should ever be uncomfortable with in relation to diversity is the fact
that people are uncomfortable with diversity. The second that diversity
becomes uncomfortable, we belittle the perspectives that it could provide
us with and allow stereotypes, such as those listed above, to prevail.
While Libertyville may not seem to be the most diverse place in a
traditional sense, the DOI staff sees Libertyville High School as a place
where diversity is handled well, valued and talked about. At LHS, there
are various clubs and organizations, some of which are featured in this
issue, that exist because of diversity. We see these clubs and organi-
zations, and the conversations they spark, as an integral part of the
educational experience here and only want to see these conversations
grow both in and out of the classroom. With this being said, we also
want these conversations to benefit everyone involved, not just to target
certain individuals in class because they are somehow “diverse.”
Understanding diversity is like playing with a box of Legos; one Lego,
by itself, is useless. However, when different Legos, composed of differ-
ent shapes, different colors, different widths and different heights are put
together, they are able to make something of substance.

Note: As this piece is a staff editorial, it is representative of the opinions of Drops of Ink staff as a whole. The staff is comprised of LHS stu-
dents from each grade level and spans a wide range of opinions from two class periods, with 51 students total. The author(s) of this piece did
not place their personal opinion in the story: they merely reflect the staff’s thoughts.
Staff Editorial 25 Drops of Ink