Difference is?

“Difference is empowering”

Along one of the main thoroughfares of my college’s campus are a series of banners similar to the one pictured here that focus on varying facets of “difference”. These banners feature such phrases as “difference is everywhere” and “difference is all of us”. While these banners put forth positive messages about the importance of being different, it makes me wonder about the other purposes behind these banners.

Perhaps these banners serve to boast the diversity of the community here at Augustana College to visitors and potential students. Perhaps they are an argument of the values and ideals held by the college. Or perhaps they are here as a message to students about embracing the differences between themselves and their peers. Whatever the purpose, I've always found them reassuring. They help assure that I can follow my own beliefs and passions without being degraded by peers. They represent the open-minded and accepting community that is here on campus.

However, this doesn't mean that there aren't some people here that need to take a look at these banners and learn something from them. The banners therefore could be reminders to these individuals of the values and expectations of the college. Recently, the Dean of Students sent out an email to the entire community that brought attention to a series of racist messages posted on an anonymous social networking site. It was deeply troubling to me that such a thing is occurring on campus that encourages acceptance of people no matter their race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.

These banners suddenly seemed to be lies. What once read “Difference is good” now seemed to say difference is not good.

To restore my faith in the messages of the banners, I only had to go to class and talk with my friends and peers. They reminded me that even though we all come from different social, economic, and religious backgrounds we are all able to accept those differences with and open-mind and turn them into dynamic discussions and debates. This seems to be exactly what these banners are trying to argue to the community on campus and visitors. The community at Augie is full of diverse people all with their own beliefs and views and while not everyone agrees, we are able to accept one another’s differences without demeaning anyone’s beliefs.

Difference is what makes everyone unique and that is what is beautiful and good about being different. It makes us individuals. It allows us to have our own values and ideals. It is something that can bind us together and not just push us apart. One of the banners states “difference is everywhere” and another “difference is all of us”. We are all different. We have different backgrounds, views, skills, the list goes on and on. But what is the one thing we have in common no matter what? We will never be exactly the same and in that fact we create a community of individuals that thrive not being like anyone else.  

Even if the administration put up these banners as a way to advertise the diversity of the campus community, each and every one of us can learn something from the banners – whether it be acceptance, confidence, or even a new way of thinking.