Cerritos College is a school rich with culture. Among our students there are a variety of nationalities and ethnic backgrounds mingling. One has the opportunity to learn first hand about diversity on campus.

As the Holidays merge together this year for all who celebrate them, whether Christian, Muslim, Jew or otherwise, we find that all have the same goal. The same initiative…Happiness, Celebration, “Goodwill Toward Men”, Thanksgiving and most of all Peace! We find ourselves host to so many different opportunities; we must take inventory of ourselves and what it took to get us this far.

Then we must take into account the great many gifts we share. We are neighbors, countrymen, whether foreign born or native. We seek to make America a better place for the seeds that have not experienced the flowing spring that America can provide.

We must not turn our noses up in disgust at any of the differences we may find in our neighbors. We must embrace their uniqueness. That unique quality or practice represents, a new us: a new beginning, and a new understanding. It is revolution of the best kind. The revolution that is the true desire of the civilized man and that revolution is simply change.

No war or bloodshed, no malice, nor malcontent. It is the coming of a new day. The day in which the sun revolves peaceably and we evolve naturally – together.

We are proud to say that we are a part of this cultural renaissance. We have the opportunity to make a difference in the world. This is an opportunity many of our parents and ancestors never had. Many of them never experienced diversity.

Many of them had only heard talk filled with bias about different cultures. We have the advantage. We are exposed to the truth of diversity. We do not have to rely on hearsay; we can march right up to one another and ask,

“What can you tell me about your people? What is your religion about? What are your customs? What is the purpose of this celebration?”

More often than not, you will find that through further research it has been proven most cultures stem from the same root like apples that have fallen from different branches of the same tree. They may look different and they may have rolled a slight distance away from the tree, but they all taste the same.

As for those who choose not to contemplate on the message we are trying to send in this editorial, those who are afraid of diversity, those that hate for the sake of hating and you know who you are;

Realize that natural law demands balance and there is nothing man-made that will stop natural law from bringing that balance. There is nothing you can imagine that can stop the development of harmony.

For those who may not ordinarily realize how lucky we are to have our neighbors, try harder to understand your fellow man and you’ll see he is just like you just trying to be free! Happy Holidays To Everyone!