commenting on two classmates discussion on Diversity

Post at least two responses to your fellow students. In your responses to your peers, take a look through the lens of intersectionality and consider both sides of your classmates’ issues. Compare and contrast your answers. What do you like about your peers’ explanations, and what would you add?

Clasmate # 1 Megan

An event related to diversity that truly touched my heart was one I was lucky enough to experience a year ago. I was standing in line at a café when I noticed a woman placing her order, she was accompanied by a young man maybe in his early 20s. Before placing their order, she began signing to the young man. In just moments, the cashier began communicating with the boy using sign language! The boy lite up with a surprised expression and probably for the first time, was able to place his order independently. Watching them communicate warmed my heart. The boy seemed so overjoyed; I can only assume he finally felt like he wasn’t so alone. This was such an eye-opening experience for me, as it was something that never seemed to cross my mind before. I have thought about learning another language, but never once have I though about learning how to sign to be able to communicate with those who are deaf.

A current issue recently in Boston news at the end of august that I found interesting was the organization of the “straight pride parade”. This parade took place in Copley square, ending in Boston city hall. The parade passed by one of the local colleges known as Emerson college, the day of freshman move in. Emerson is known to be a big support of the LGBTQ community and was not in favor of the parade, as many of the students were outraged. The parade was organized in response to the annual pride parade held in Boston each year supporting the LGBTQ community. The organizers behind the parade stated it was not held as a mockery or to encourage hate but simply a freedom of straight pride and speech. Although I personally feel the straight pride parade was created passive aggressively towards the LGBTQ community, everyone is entitled to their freedom of speech.

Classmate # 2 Kelia

I grew up in a rural area of Maryland that borders with West Virginia and Virginia. There are racists here. There are bigots. There are people who have terrible ideology and beliefs. There are known KKK members and masters that live in the area and spread their hate. It’s been this way my whole life. I have chosen to come out the other end different than them, and growing up around these types of hateful people taught me how terrible people can be, and that it is always better to love than hate. I have seen way too many of my peers follow in their footsteps and turn out just as hateful, but seeing that hate made me see that nothing had changed, but they really need to. A current issue that has personally impacted me was the shooting of Freddie Gray and the BLM movement. I was going to school on the edge of Baltimore at the time, and dealt with the curfews and riots and protests that ensued from his murder. Being in such close proximity to this crime and seeing the support from the community showed me the full scope of the BLM movement and the courageous people that fight for it. I have recalled this crime numerous times over the years, as history repeats itself and I have found myself in similar or adjacent situations since then. Something needs to change.