If we are able to spread the ideologies of acceptance, love, and unity, we can live happier, more successful, safer lives.

By Noah Johnson, Staff Writer

Throughout the course of history, people who have looked a certain way have been treated differently. However, we are all different; no two of us are exactly alike, or even close. Colors, physical traits and fashion define us, but shouldn’t divide us.

We must understand that all of us are pursuing happiness in our lives, in our own ways. We should strive to help one another achieve this goal by supporting one another. We should never degrade somebody because of how they look, as this is trivial and does not help them, or us, in furthering ourselves in our goals to be happy. This should call us to stand up for people being treated unfairly because of how they are perceived. Whether this is overt racism, or covert degrading, we should look out for one another. Especially for those of us who are not normally marginalized, we must see this as a calling to take a stand for those who are.

If we do this, mutual respect and understanding across lines of color, creed, religion, and more will be built, shattering all-encompassing, damaging stereotypes in the process. If this happens on numerous micro levels, such as on college campuses, in workplaces and in churches, this can spread and become a macrocosm of our communities at large.

If we are able to spread the ideologies of acceptance, love, and unity, we can live happier, more successful, safer lives. In our personal lives, this begins with treating everybody equally. After all, despite our differences, we are all equally human.