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The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

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The real meaning of diversity

Every day at lunch, students gather with their friends to let out all of the pressures of their day. They talk, they laugh, they share, and they have fun. Another group of students also sits nearby, yet, the two groups don’t know each other at all.

This is a typical lunch period for Paly students. It is apparent that on campus that there are certain unspoken locations for the different groups on campus to hang out. Still, according to the school profile, the diversity of our school has improved from last year to this year, with the Caucasian percentage dropping from 75% to 64%, and the percentage of minorities increasing 9%. But what is the point of having a diverse group of people if they don’t mix?

It’s true that our school is generally tolerant of different ethnic groups. Most students here are open-minded and respect all cultures that can be found on campus. In fact Paly will be hosting the International Festival will be holding a festival in March as a way of helping students connect the things we learn in the classroom with things about different ethnic groups with things going on around the world.

It also seems that students are not seeking to hang out exclusively with their own race or ethnic group; it just happens that way. It’s a simple fact of life that it’s easier to identify with people who are like you. For many first, and even second-generation students, the obstacle is the language barrier. For the others, it’s just easier to talk and connect with someone who is already filled in on the cultural nuances that separate us. For example, myself being an Asian, I am aware of the stigma with my minority and grades. I know where these stereotypes are true, and where they are not. Usually, when I talk to another Asian, we instantly have this common ground, and thus, a mutual understanding. Another fact is that it is important to feel comfortable with friends. As English teacher and Paly Activities Director, Joann Vaars said, "That is a huge part of identity safety."

As a college city, we tend to be more ethnically diverse then other areas. Katya Villalobos, said, "[Colleges and universities] will attract people from all over the United States [and internationally." She is an assistant principal at Paly. Additionally Silicon Valley has a reputation as a center of innovation and different ideas, making it an area of greater tolerance for social differences as well.

But why not take ourselves to the next level? If we actively pursue and immerse ourselves in different cultures, we can experience the true meaning of diversity.

Fortunately, there are many ways to do this. On a personal level, it’s helpful just to be conscious of whether you’re eating with the same people every day. If it’s hard to switch groups alone, you could bring a friend with, even a couple of friends, to another group. And let’s not forget the people who wander aimlessly at lunch; sometimes all it takes is an invitation to make a difference in some else’s day.

On the school-wide level, there are also programs out aimed at changing statistical diversity in schools into diverse student experiences and friendships. One such program is "Mix It Up," an organization which helps students and their schools to find days in which to "mix up" the various groups at lunch. The national "Mix It Up at Lunch Day" this year was November 16.

Students and staff should stop thinking of diversity as just a group of different people, but as an opportunity to experience new things.

According the 2004 Paly Profile, which can be found in the Guidance Office, the ethnic makeup of our school is…

5% African American

17% Asian

64% Caucasian

7% Latino

7% Other

According to Villalobos, last year’s makeup was…

5% African American

12% Asian

75% Caucasian

6% Latino

2% Other

More information on "Mix It Up at Lunch Day" can be found at
http://www.tolerance.org/teens

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