2010 Peace Essay Contest
Middle School Winning Entries
1st Place: Kenny Xu, gr. 7, Moody MS (Henrico Co.)
"We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to the same human race."
- Kofi Annan, Ghana Native and Secretary General of the United Nations
A coral reef, flourishing with rich, radiant colors, is not only admired for its aesthetic pleasure. It is also the poster child of biodiversity, its flora and fauna living in harmony, blooming with life. Every clump of coral and every creature has a place in the reef, no matter what they are.
So then why cannot humans, being the smartest animals on Earth, learn to respect and accept each other's place unconditionally, and perform the way a coral reef does? In reality, the reason why America has become such a great county is because of its diversity. Instead of just one dominant culture, we have many people from different countries with different skills and talents, and each person weaves a strand into the American fabric that is so unique, that no other quilt could have so many colors. However, many of us still refuse to acknowledge that. In the United States, this is unacceptable.
And why?
It seemed that beautiful America, finally emerging victoriously, grasping the battered American flag, had at last escaped the tyrannical tiger, King George III, and his ravenous army. However, to the African-American race, the tyranny lived on, binding them in the fields, forcing them to pluck corn with their bony fingers to feed the fat hands of their masters. Their life was crippled with pain and misery, just to benefit the pockets of the white overlord. This led the white "Americans" to get the notion of supremacy towards the darker-skinned people. Fueled by America's intense nationalism, those men began to think of them as superior to any other ethnic group, not just race. And that vile discrimination still holds strong today, even after all of the other ethnic groups have secured their freedom. This is why we must act.
But no matter how many bundles of bills are swept through Congress, in order for our country to truly build more respect to diverse cultures, we, as an individual, need to act first. We must learn to respect our diversity, for it is our diversity that glorifies America. In order to do so, as an individual, we should relinquish our stereotypes . Mass media and pop culture have italicized the generalization of entire ethnic groups based on only a small amount of people. I am an oriental-skinned person, and I have been through the snickers of people who think that we are all considered "nerds and bookworms", which I firmly disagree. The most important step to respecting our diversity is to take every person not at their face value, but at their real value.
Why do Americans sneer at the poverty in Africa, calling it a hoax and refusing to do anything? Because, sitting in their comfortable couches, knowing about as much of Africa as quantum mechanics, they have not realized the horrible, daunting truth of another culture, seemingly another world. That is why that in order to really understand people of different cultures, we must educate ourselves about them. As Muslim activist Ali Bin Abu-Talib said, "There is no wealth like knowledge, no poverty like ignorance." And with the birth of the Internet Age, information is easier and faster to collect. Therefore, it is completely fitting to educate ourselves about other cultures. Why would one laugh at a Muslim's turban if they know that they wear their headdresses to represent their religion and class? Once we educate ourselves in the customs of other ethnicities, acceptance and fairness will come naturally, as we already know their traditions, and we will be able to communicate with them more easily.
However, once we have learned to appreciate America's vast diversity, as a community, it is now our duty to advocate our respect for different cultures and ethnicities. When there are divisions between ethnic groups, such as the superiority division between white and black Americans before the 1960's, if a community truly believes in respect of our diversity rather than adherence like glue to their own traditions, then they must act. It has been said that there is "strength in numbers." In the Civil Rights movement, entire groups of African-Americans tired of injustice organized sit-ins and boycotts. Today, our community can do the same by writing articles about the hardships faced by other ethnic groups, or organizing inclusive events that allow so many people to get to know other people of different cultures. When a community advocates the respect for our diversity, it will have the same effect to everyone: an enlightening inspiration to others.
In America, major reforms in the past century on human rights have already been imposed. However, as a country, the most change is yet to come. According to the Census Bureau, the white population in America is expected to be reduced to only 50%, while Hispanic and Asian "minorities" are expected to triple in population. Now, the importance of respecting our diversity becomes greater than ever, with such a fluctuation of ethnic groups. Media, however, seems to care less. There are many shows on TV and the Internet that rant about religions, cackle about color, and taunt traditions like they are trash. Though freedom of the press upholds them, such radical shows need to be halted. The government, if nothing else, needs to cry out and strike the beast at its heart, imposing laws that will ban such discriminating entertainment.
All in all, living in a world of diversity allows one to experience the Earth and its people at its fullest, from every angle. America, her flag a universal symbol of liberty, will not truly give freedom until we show the conviction to give freedom ourselves. Only then are we a reef, ready to take on whatever challenges that lay before us -- together.
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2nd Place: Emma Valerie, gr 6, St. Bridget School (Catholic Diocese of Richmond)
Living in a World of Diversity: Our Story Unfolds
Our world is much like a book telling a story about the different cultures, religions, ethnic groups and skin colors written and drawn on its pages. As we read our world's story, we come in contact with characters of different faiths. We meet the Roman Catholic, the Jew, the Buddhist, and the Muslim, to name but a few. In our diverse book we learn about the cultural settings of India, China, France, New Zealand, and so many more. There are different colors and shades of ink written in our book. As our story unfolds, we see shades of dark skin, tan, and pale. All of these diverse elements make our world strong sand build a better, more peaceful tomorrow. The very books on our bookshelves shed light on important life lessons about respecting diversity in our world. One example that comes to mind is Whoever You Are, a picture book written by Mem Fox and published by Harcourt, Inc. In it, Fox writes:
"Whoever you are, there are little ones just like you all over the world. Their skin may be different from yours, and their homes may be different from yours. ... Their lives may be different from yours, and their words may be very different from yours. But inside, their hearts are just like yours, whoever they are, wherever they are, all over the world." Mem Fox's picture book teaches us about the diversity in our world while reminding us that inside everyone is the same.
Another great book, published by Scholastic, is The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth, based on a story by Leo Tolstoy, a Russian novelist. It includes answers to the three most important questions to ask. Those questions are: "When is the best time to do things?" "Who is the most important one?" and "What is the right thing to do?" Muth's book answers: now is the best time to do things, the most important one is who you are with, and the right thing to do is to help the person you are with. Fox's book recognizes our differences and similarities while Muth's book tells us how we should act in this diverse world.
To build respect and understanding among Americans of so many different backgrounds we can start by learning what prejudice is and how it starts. Then we can look at times in our nation's past that dealt with prejudice and learn how people solved those problems and then apply those solutions to fit our particular situation. We can have a structured conversation with someone on the other side of the problem and try to figure out a solution that each side agrees on. We can become aware and then become active.
When there are divisions between groups, we can ask a leader or a role model to guide a conversation. At times, we may have to agree to disagree, meaning, that if we just can't agree, we should just agree that we disagree and move on with our lives. If the conflict is significant we may want to establish guidelines for a safe environment and safe discussion. Remember that each one of us has a voice, and if we join together to make one big community we can change the world. So go to student council meetings in your school and learn about what you, as one person, can do to change the world and solve conflict among groups of diverse people. Your voice needs to be heard. Remember that you and your parents help solve conflicts everyday when they ask you, "Did anything happen at school today?" When they ask you these types of questions, open up the pages of the book you keep in your heart and read to them the story of your day.
As an individual, you can participate in groups that help people speak out against social and physical cruelty and bullying because of someone's culture, religion, ethnic group, skin color, gender, or ability. I am a Girl Scout so I know a lot about what we can do to strengthen our diverse nation. On Thinking Day we come together with girls throughout the world through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. We think about girls around the world who are just like ourselves. We even adopt a global action theme inspired by the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. We learn about a special topic, like empowering women or fighting poverty, and then we come together and collectively learn how to fix the problem and strengthen the cause.
One opportunity to come together as a community of advocates is to use social media and the Internet to communicate happenings n our diverse nation, making sure that while we do this, we are respecting human rights. I believe our President, along with other world leaders, should focus on today's younger generation so that when they grow older, they will be inspired to respect the diversity in our nation and human rights because our nation and our world depends on these things to grow.
As you can very well see, a world with so many different cultures, religions, ethnic groups and skin colors help shape our growing society. As our society's story unfolds, we need to write the words and publish the pages for future generations, so that we can teach them about the value of diversity in our nation, while shining a light on a path that will guide them throughout their lives, as their story unfolds.
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3rd Place: Avery Simmons, gr. 7, Moody MS (Henrico Co.)
President Eisenhower once said, "Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace." Though he said this pertaining to WWII, this can also be excellent when the problem of racial divisions and prejudices is considered. Only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can break down the racial barriers in America. Americans can help build respect individually, in their community and in schools, and as a whole country.
Individually, each American can treat each person with respect, no matter what color, religion, or race to which they belong. And each adult who has carried out their life with dignity will teach their children, and therefore all their posterity, to honor those even with different beliefs or looks. Lastly, even children in schools can stand up for others who are subject to bullying because of their skin color or religion.As a community, all members of the local society should work together to understand other cultures. In schools, learning about the native cultures and ancient civilizations of different ethnic groups will sow the seeds of interest and understanding even in children who practice entirely different ways of life. Also, foul language, especially language targeting or making fun of different racial groups, should be heavily discouraged in both schools and the outside community. Lastly, awards for kindness should be given in schools, to further emphasize the focus on what is inside, rather than outside appearance, is what truly matters.
As an entire country, we can make an effort to respect all. Hiring or firing should be based on the quality of work, versus skin colors or stereotypes. American should make it its business to educate children about the mistakes in our past and the negative consequences of racial prejudice. A man once said "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." American children must learn about slavery, segregation, the Japanese-American internment camps during WWII, and signs during the industrial revolution saying `Irish Need Not Apply'. All of these decisions based on racism or stereotypes led to more disturbances in American History. Also, when there are divisions or problems, the government should look at both sides of the argument, so as to be fair, no matter what their personal feelings are. For example, the phrase, "Well, they deserved it..." or "After what they did to them..." should not be tolerated.
Therefore, there are many ways for us to end divisions between groups, by individual, community, and nationwide work. But perhaps the best method of accepting diversity is not to discuss it, but to work on not even noticing the color of someone's skin, instead of thinking "Oh. That person is a different race than me. I will have to be nice to them." Instead, all Americans can work on being color-blind- a remedy much purer and more beneficial to every citizen.
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Honorable Mention: Kara Adams, gr. 8, Moody MS (Henrico Co.)
Acceptance: A Risky Business
John F. Kennedy, the 35 th president of the United States of America, said "if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity." He was right. Especially in a melting pot of a country like America, everyday is a struggle to keep all peoples safe from the intolerance by which we are all so plagued. Despite the fact that we all, regardless of skin color, hair type, or height, originated from the hunter-gatherers in West Africa, the opinions and prejudices of ignorant citizens as far back as we can remember has only catalyzed the pattern of hate and disrespect still thriving today. It is up to our generation to inhibit that chemical reaction of prejudice and ignorance in today's society.
Starting in the early days of our country, America earned the nickname of the "promise land", attracting newcomers in great waves from the various parts of the world. This flood of people looking for work and prosperity naturally created a situation in which great volumes of people were forced to live, work, and eat side by side in hope for a rise to fame. Americans already living in these areas became possessive and angry at the incoming immigrants for taking their jobs, food, and living quarters resulting in these nativists to protest with hate and prejudice towards the immigrants.
Today, however, the programs in place to teach tolerance such as BOUNCE and the Richmond Peace Education Center stress that the choice is tolerance or bust. Through the teachings of the past, parents, educators, mentors, and neighbors, all shape the progress of the future through our youth. From learning about events such as Rosa Park's famous bus seat to the ambitions of Abraham Lincoln, both the good and bad marks left on our history's face make for a pathway leading forward.An instance in which an adult taught me the greatest lesson of tolerance came about in my fourth grade year. My teacher, Mrs. Goodwin, was a woman of great kindness-she taught the language arts discipline not because she had to, but because she wanted to share her passion for words with us, in hopes that we would find a strength in her favorite subject. About midway through the year, she announced to our class that we would soon be welcoming three new students to our class. She did not tell us where they were from, what their names were, or what they liked to do-as she had done before when we had new students. That same day, as she read us a book aloud, she talked about how the very different characters in the book found similarities in one another and became the best of friends.
Soon the time came, and our new classmates had arrived. So anxious about their arrival, my classmates and I could hardly sit still. When the principal finally buzzed in over our room's intercom to say that Rana, Maychel, and Meena were coming down, my classmates froze. "What kind of names are those?", Connor asked. "They don't sound normal", Maddy said. As waves of comments and curiosity flew across the room, back and forth, back and forth, the previous enthusiasm had faded into nonchalant-not a good sign.
With a sunny smile spread across her face, Mrs. Goodwin opened the door and herded the three children into the room, presenting them to our class. After initial introductions were made, the obvious uncomfortable silence in the air reached Mrs. Goodwin, as silence was something new for our class.
Not too much later, we all had settled back into our normal routines-math, science, language arts, lunch, and music or art thrown in, to an outsider we would seem totally oblivious to any changes. This was probably because the three children new to my class were from not only another school, but another continent altogether! Turns out that their native country was Egypt, a place now set in turmoil over conflicting opinions about religion-making it unsafe for the children to reside there any longer.
Other than the obvious geographical regions, the three spoke no English and were a very close-knit group that tended to shy away from outsiders. I too, found myself uncomfortable being with them, as I did not know what to say or do around them. After taking this experience home to share with my family everyday, my mom decided to come in and volunteer to teach them some English once a week. Not too long afterwards, my new classmates were playing with me on the playground-an activity that I, the social outcast, also benefited from. By June, everyone, including the three children from Egypt was involved in the mass tag game at recess-a game that brought a smile to Mrs. Goodwin's previously apprehensive face.
Therefore, the most effective way to change an attitude is by example. Both Mrs. Goodwin and my mother played a role in eliminating the negative attitudes we all had towards the new children by leading the way. Had either one of them never tried, Rana, Maychel, and Meena, new to the United States, Virginia, Richmond, and Maybeury Elementary, would have never made so many new friends and adjusted quite as quickly. Based on that experience, four years later, I can now take that lesson and apply it to right now-everyone should feel welcome in their surroundings ... an environment free from judgmental minds, ignorant societies, and peers that aren't strong enough to just take a risk and jump into a new friendship.
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Honorable Mention: Sarah Todd Ashman, gr. 7, Orchard House School (Richmond)
A Different Brush
But not everyone paints the same picture or sees the same way, which means there are people who do not think our picture is beautiful. These are the people that spend endless days drying the yellows so they no longer drip and wiping at the browns so the no longer seep. These are people that look away when people of the opposite race pass them on the street or have anger towards a person because of their religion. I wish that they could see that this- the dripping and seeping and splashing of cultures, traditions, races, and beliefs-is what makes our country magnificent. And being only thirteen years old and a little over five feet, sometimes I feel as though wishing is all I can do. But what I and what we need to realize, as we lie in bed at night and feel too small to make a difference, is that we are not alone. If we truly believe in something, I know that we can find the courage in our hearts to make a difference, because we are all people. We are people of brilliant shades of colors and textures, people with brains and hearts, and people with hands open and ready to help other people.
"But how?" you may be asking yourself. Well, look around you! If you are an adult, maybe you could invite your Jewish co-worker to your family's Christmas party, or invite the new African American family that moved in down the block to your neighborhood cook-out. And if you're a child, maybe you could share your cookie with the little Latino boy who forgot his lunch, or invite the Christian girl down the street to play. It doesn't matter how old you are, what race you are, or what religion you are. Everyone has something in common, and that is the power to reach out. I know that just one considerate action seems so small, like one drop of water in a great sea, but you've got to believe that you are not the only person in the world working towards this common goal, and that this is something bigger than just you. I have faith that when we stand hand in hand across oceans, valleys, and nations, we can break down any racial or religious boundary that has ever stood up against us. It doesn't matter what religion or sex or race I am- I know that it is wrong do persecute or criticize someone for expressing themselves through their rights to believe whatever they want to believe, and through their right to their culture.
So here is where it starts. Here, in a thirteen year old girl not much taller than five feet, the drive to make a difference begins. And I hope that you will be able to walk away more able to see, not only the amazing picture we have already painted, but also the distance we still have to go. Yes, I hope after reading this- you too will have the courage to paint with a different brush.
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Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Hayes, gr. 6, Collegiate School (Richmond)
Living in a World of Diversity
The civil rights movement may have ended in the sixties, but America still has a lot of racial boundaries to overcome. We live in a country full of many religions, cultures, and ethnic groups. Unfortunately, these groups rarely overlap or collide. Some communities may be more diverse than others, but I know that I have had very little exposure to different races and cultures in my lifetime. I may walk down the street and see people of different ethnicities or religions, but I rarely find myself in social situations with them. I live in an almost completely white Christian neighborhood, go to a predominantly white Christian school, and attend a church full of white people. Over 95% of my classmates are Caucasian. The few people that are of a different ethnicity tend to cluster together, and keep to themselves. I am surrounded by white Christian friends, with the exception of one who is African-American. There is one Chinese family in my neighborhood, but I have neither seen nor spoken to them. It seems as though we tend to socialize with people who are exactly like us.
There are some people, like me, who want to stop the racial divide, and learn more about other cultures. However, there are other people who refuse to embrace our differences. For example, I have been invited to a bar mitzvah. I plan to go to the religious ceremony, so I can learn more about Judaism. Some of my friends, however, plan to skip it, and only attend the party. Another example is a story my mother told me. She attended the Hindu wedding of an Indian friend. Another woman who attended brought a bag of food from McDonald's to the wedding, because she did not want to eat the Indian food. I think both of these examples show intolerance of other cultures. The only way to stop segregation is to actually involve yourself with people of different religions and races.
Another issue is that more and more people are involving race in politics. When Barack Obama began his race for president, many people began accusing him of being Muslim, or a terrorist. He is not Muslim, but if he was, would it make him a poor leader? This was just the start of a new fad. Racial bigotry in politics is becoming very apparent. Now that Barack Obama has been elected, the number of hate groups in America has greatly increased. The number of hate groups has grown 54% since 2000. A study at the Southern Poverty Law Center revealed that 926 hate groups were active in 2008. Don Black, who owns a white nationalist website, claims that after the election results were announced, his site received so many hits that it crashed. Many gay and black politicians have been receiving death threats, or have been called extremely rude names. It is understandable that someone might dislike a politician because of his views, but the politician's appearance shouldn't be the reason you dislike him. Does the color of our leader's skin, or his sexuality, really influence his ability to lead?
The only way to stop this behavior is to take action. As individuals, we need to embrace other cultures, not block them out. Communities need to work to educate children about different cultures, and about the dangers of discrimination. As a nation, we need to elect more minorities into office, for a different perspective on issues. Also, national leaders should speak out against involving race and religion in politics. If we work together, we can end discrimination in our country.
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Honorable Mention: Abigail Naughton, gr. 8, Moody MS (Henrico Co.)
Creating An UnderstandingFor years and years Americans have called our country a "melting pot" of sorts, a place where people of all cultures and religions can come together and unite as one. Inside our pot is our Oriental spice, our Mexican zest, our European flair. Although I can see our separate ingredients, the mixture doesn't combine or blend as well as it should. There are spots where I can not only see, but also taste the harsh jumble of foul play. We might as well call ourselves hypocrites; our forefathers may have set America up as a safety net for the persecuted, but we still refuse to accept and respect each other. Without the careful planning of education, community events, and inter-national conventions, might as well call our country a failure.
Since the giant immigration rush during the Industrial Revolution, our country has become as diverse as ever. Everywhere someone looks you can find someone with roots tracing back from all over the world. Sometimes through school we have the opportunity to learn about other cultures and folklore, but not enough. If our country's school system's added more enrichment programs to the school year, or even added some standards of learning, at an early age we could build a respect and an understanding of other cultures and religions. The more someone knows about a group of people, the less they can judge.
Not only through the students enrolled in local schools should an understanding be developed. The community as a whole should come together a couple of times a month for foreign festivals of all kinds: movie festivals, poetry readings, group prayer servicesthe list goes on and on. This provides a more hands on approach to gaining the respect each person and culture deserves. Also, the community can become friends with all sorts of people through community events. The benefits of a communal event seem almost given. If someone experiences for himself or herself a new culture, their learning creates the respect in their mind.
Perhaps the most influential method of creating a newfound peace would be through inter-national conventions for youth. Much like a model United Nations with a twist, this convention would bring together kids of all ages for a peace talk. There could be presentations and interviews from all sorts of young kids of all ages. Youth peacemakers could make speeches on diversity and understanding. And most importantly, the youth of countries would meet kids just like them-expect for the fact that they come from different backgrounds.
The haunting, captivating scent of America still draws our foreign neighbors in. Each day we are becoming more and more exposed to new ideas, people, and things. Even if we can't come together in our very own "melting pot", we could become something else. As Jimmy Carter once said, "We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams." Molding together and unifying our people may prove to be a bit of a challenge, but through education, community events, and international conventions, we can make it work. After all, once there was a time for fights, but now is the time for peace.
*******************************Honorable Mention: Liz Wolfe, gr. 8, Orchard House School (Richmond)
Despite Differences
As I've walked down many streets, many times, I've seen many people. But living in the U.S., we don't all look the same. I see a colorful, multicultural, many-religioned array of people. I see a burkah-clad Muslim woman, a turbaned Sheik, an African American baby, a Chinese mother of two, and a Caucasian family of four. Our skin color, heritage, background, money, circumstances, and religion don't make us inferior or any less American, but we can't pretend like differences don't exist. There will always be differences and they will always be noticed, but the ultimate struggle for our society is finding the value and beauty in our differences and looking past to find our similarities; we are all human.
I truly believe that as a society, we need to get comfortable with the world. This is the way it is. Does it even matter that the lady on your right doesn't believe in God? I mean, as long as she is a good person, she can follow whatever religious rituals she is drawn to and if that is none, then so be it. What about the gentleman across the street - as long as he is good and righteous, does it matter that he is unemployed and homeless? We assume the worst and walk straight past beggars and the poor, too often without stopping to realize that maybe it wasn't their carelessness and poor choices, maybe they were born into awful situations and abused and left to bleed on the side of the road. Despite circumstance, we are all human beings. We are all in this together. United we are strong, but when divided, it is hard to win the ultimate fight against bad fortune and circumstances and people.
I don't think there is any magical solution to our issues. There is no clear, easy, lovely way to peace. Our issues with diversity won't be solved by seminars or education or a special YMCA program that preaches to young children -- diversity is going to be there no matter what, and along with that comes intolerance.
I think the biggest issue is that in our heads, we look at differences. Those are what we notice first and foremost. We have to stop looking at how different we are and start realizing how similar we are deep down. The homeless mother loves her daughter just as much as the upper-middle-class white mother who loves her daughter just as much as the Vietnamese immigrant mother. One could look at that and point out differences in income, culture, and ethnicity, or they could say "Hey, they are all mothers. They all know what it is like to have a daughter and to love her more than anything. They know the same struggle, hardship, joy, and triumph. They are just like each other."
Of course, there is the excuse that we are hard-wired in our heads to notice differences and assess danger based on physical characteristics. In other words, we automatically stereotype in our heads: "It is 10: 00 pm, we are at a gas station, there's a whole group of black teenagers drinking beer in plain sight. They are staring at our SUV. They seem to be dressed similarly - white shirts, loose jeans...They are probably all in a gang. We aren't safe!" This is stereotyping. "Middle-aged, upper-class Wyndham housewife with a Vera Bradley bag and manicured fingernails. She must have money. We are totally safe I'm sure. " We assume that the "teenage gang" is bad and dangerous and the "Wyndham housewife" is good. Are we racist? Are we analyzing? Are we just trying to be safe? Are we prejudiced and intolerant? Maybe some of each, maybe not at all. Regardless, we can hardly pretend we don't notice race.
We can't ignore appearance, race, economic backgrounds, or religion -- they are definitely a part of who we are. However, we have to come to a place, as a society, where we are accepting of the fact that we will always be different. We are not all the same -- we are hugely different in some crucial ways -- but we are similar in the core.
I certainly don't think the media and pop culture helps the cause - for years after September 11, there was a very negative attitude towards Muslims just because of a terrorist group associated with the same religion, although many Muslims believe extremely different things than the terrorist groups. In this day and age, during the fight for gay marriage, many of us are taught from a young age to say "Oh that's so ... wrong. Girls marry boys, not other girls!" by parents, teachers, friends, and the culture that surrounds us. Sometimes we say that without thinking, but everytime we say that we encourage the idea that there is something wrong about two girls kissing or two boys marrying. From a young age, girls watch Disney princess movies -- but how have we not noticed that it has taken ninety years for a black Princess to find her prince charming on Disney's screen? Our culture ingrains in our brains that those who break out of the mold are not socially acceptable, when in reality, we must begin to accept them. They too are people, they too are members of society. They too contribute to our world.
Besides - does it ever really matter? As long as our enemies are the same - famine, disease, evil, poverty, abandonment, abuse, enslavement, and the bad in this world - we are all on the same side. We are fighting for the same. We are united, despite race. Despite income. Despite education. Despite religion. Despite.