BEING A MINORITY IN MARYVILLE

CORBIN SMITH Sports Reporter | @curly_corbs

Finding a community is an important part of college life. Whether it’s for studying or making lifelong friends, having people who understand you and have the same interests as you is helpful. For people of color, finding your community can be hard in Maryville, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Northwest has a lot to offer to people of color despite its level of diversity. The Offi ce of Diversity and Inclusion is very helpful, and the staff is easy to talk to. It hosts events to invite people of different backgrounds to gather and share their differences. During Black History Month, the offi ce made me, a Black student, feel represented and did it in a fun, educational method.

Chances are, you’ll come here and feel like you’re alone or maybe the only one who understands the strife you’ve gone through as a person of color. That’s far from true. It may be hard to believe with a predominately white institute and town, but there are people like you here. All you have to do is search a little to fi nd them, and that isn’t diffi cult if you get active early on campus.

One thing that helped me connect with people like me was to show up to events, even if you’re by yourself. College in general is about getting out of your comfort zone and growing beyond your high school self.

However, this doesn’t mean hang out with only people who look like you. As an opinion writer who often writes about the Black experience in Maryville, I’ve grown more from hanging out with more than Black people. It’s a diffi cult way to learn, but you learn a lot more and are ready for the inevitable scrutiny you face as a minority in Maryville.

So, fi nd people who look like you, but don’t be scared to be around those who don’t. Diversity and inclusion is more than just a statistic. Good luck, and know that you’re never alone.

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