Walking in someone else's shoes

Recently I tagged along with a coworker to an event that she helped organize through her work with the Diversity Action Committee.  The series of workshops and discussions was called "Tools of Inclusion" and featured a variety of events held by the colleges across campus.  This one that I attended was "Theater for Social Change" held by the College of Fine Arts and Communication.  The description of the event was more of a class description :

Theatre for Social Change explores the theories and techniques involved in the creation of theatre that specifically addresses contemporary social, political, and cultural issues that confront contemporary America. Throughout the semester, students study various examples of this kind of work and the theories behind their conception. Simultaneously, they spend time identifying—via critical readings and analysis of contemporary events—what the pressing issues are that define the modern American experience and whether there may be better ways for public engagement and understanding. Students will show solo and ensemble work during the presentation.

What I saw was the final culmination of the class.  There were only a handful of people there to watch, which was too bad because the show was impressive.  With very few props and only their bodies and voices, the show easily drew me in and I wish it could have some how been recorded to be shown to more people.  The skits/monologues/dances commented on religious freedoms, individual politics and interpretive problem solving.  For myself it was the monologues which struck the loudest chord.  The students were following the example of Anna Deavere Smith.  If you've never seen or heard her before you must watch this (of course) TED talk she did:

How much better do you understand someone when you must be that person?  Imitation can be used in negative and positive ways.  It is much easier to mock someone's differences, to place yourself above someone by pointing out all their flaws.  The challenge for so many diversity initiatives is creating an atmosphere of respect for differences.  What many do not realize is how ingrained our lack of understanding can be.  Perhaps the reason the monologues struck me was because just a few weeks prior this "discussion" occurred:

Every week a question gets posted to this board at the entrance of our library and students can write responses.  The question was "What can Towson do to increase diversity?" and while some of the answers were tongue in cheek, over the course of the week the responses essentially turned into a debate over equal opportunity scholarships and how some viewed race as granting an unfair advantage.  I was surprised and conflicted about it.  I have benefited from such scholarships, so the board felt like a personal attack on me.  Should I feel guilty?  Did I get that money only because of the color of my skin?  Had I taken opportunity away from someone more deserving? I still do not feel like I have a clear answer to any of the conflicts brought up by this simple poster.  What the monologues did do for me was recognize how every individual is unique, and that diversity is a bond we can all share.  For a brief moment a person can walk in someone else's shoes, give the audience a glimpse into another person's soul and acknowledge that no matter how different we are from each other we are all important and we all make an impact, good or bad.  I hope that diversity initiatives like the one which I attended are helping give perspective and building positive awareness.  So that the next time someone is given the opportunity to voice their opinion they can strive to be more constructive and empathetic.  The struggle today could be even harder as it becomes easier and easier to see only what we want to see.