I love diversity. I find my life and my worldview are enriched when I am surrounded by people who’s experiences and cultural backgrounds are very different than my own.
I grew up a white kid in the suburbs outside Atlanta during a time when the KKK felt comfortable passing out pamphlets on street corners and holding rallies in front of my high school.
But by the grace of all that is good, I was immunized against the insipid racism of the Deep South by the influence of many brilliant people of color, including my first grade teacher Mrs. Camp (my eyes water with gratitude at her memory), Bill Cosby (particularly the cartoon series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids) and the cast of Sesame Street and the Electric Company.
These powerful mentors did more than teach me how to add two numbers or read a book. They taught me how to open my mind to the beautiful, diverse world in front of me. (more…)
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