StudentsXpress Spring 2017

Profile of a Scholar

AUTHORS IN THE SCHOOLS PRESENTS

Focused in My Greatness

Shawn

Thinking…

Jazmine

A Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Demetrius

Wonderful Just as I Am

Lauren J.

Aniyah

next issue: You’re the Author!

For our summer issue, four Authors In The Schools authors have supplied the prompts below.

You continue the story.

WE CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH. Through positive community support, children have opportunities to learn from adults and each other. Thank you to StudentsXpress for providing a creative magazine in local schools that encourages children’s writing, reading and expression. To all those who have given their time, support, and hearts to promote a brighter tomorrow through youth literacy — we thank you.

To learn more, go to: chicagotribunecommunitygiving.com facebook.com/ChicagoTribuneCommunityGiving

Please remember to illustrate your story too!

Author: W. Nikola-Lisa

No, my dog didn’t eat my homework. But here’s what really happened....

Author: Nancy Gee

My two best friends and I went for a ride on our bikes, when a huge wind picked all three of us up up in the air then like magic....

Author: Jim Aylesworth

What was that? I think I heard a noise.

Author: Marlene Targ Brill

Living with a dog that talks.

Please turn in your submissions to your teacher or rachel@studentsxpress.com

by March 31, 2017

www.studentsxpress.com Publisher Rachel Switall Magazine Group, NFP President Rachel Switall rachel@studentsxpress.com Rachel Switall Editor, Art Director, Advertising Director, Director of Marketing Executive Intern Michael Weisman Bonita Sanchez-Carlson President & Executive Director Near South Planning Board 312-987-1980

Bonnie Near South Planning Board

A

s I’ve made very clear in past issues, finding and maintaining funding for StudentsXpress is our biggest obstacle. At one point, I even had to start charging the participating schools (a minimal amount) in order to keep the publication going. I am now so thankful for the help I receive from the Near South Planning Board, but I still struggle to cover all of my costs.

Profile of a Scholar

AUTHORS IN THE SCHOOLS PRESENTS

Focused in My Greatness

Shawn

Thinking…

Jazmine

Demetrius

Wonderful Just as I Am

Lauren J.

As I have continued my never-ending search for ways in which to fund StudentsXpress, I came across Patreon, a web site that helps writers and artists to support their work. This seems to be a great way for us, as a community and a city, to help support the work of our youth—the students who contribute to and read StudentsXpress. I hope you will read about it below, go online to check out our page and support our CPS students. And please share the page with everyone you know....working together we can all be patrons of the arts for Chicago’s young people. Thank you!

—Rachel

Love all the submissions we’ve been receiving. Thank you to those who loyally submit amazing drawings and great written pieces. Now, we ask those who have not yet had the chance to make a submission, to really take the time to write or draw for our next issue.

We want to see your work in print.

And don’t forget to check out the Printers Row Lit Fest this summer— June 10 & 11, 2017. Maybe we’ll see you on the stage at our Young Authors Ceremony or at the StudentsXpress SPEAKS! event. For more info, email ais@theNSPB.com.

Please join us at patreon.com!

Printer Topweb, LLC 5450 N. Northwest Hwy. Chicago, IL 60630 773.975.0400

A Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear Readers, This issue of StudentsXpress is especially important to me.

I love Chicago and its diversity. The diversity is one of the main reasons why I live in Chicago and why I choose to raise my kids here.

I am so happy that Mayor Rahm Emanuel takes a strong stance in favor of diversity—and that he contributed his thoughts to this issue of StudentsXpress (see page 2).

Aniyah

Cover art by Lauren J., Shawn, Jazmine, Demetrius, Aniyah When subm Students— itting wor write neat ly. Spell ch k, please be sure to eck does no so I apolog t ch Also, if you’ ize if I got any nam eck names, es w re turning in artwork, un rong! paper is th lined white e be st. write your name on ev And please ery page su bmitted.

Thank you!

So, I have decided StudentsXpress will join patreon.com, an internet-based platform that allows patrons to help support artists and writers—in this case Chicago’s youth.

This is your chance to become a patron for the thousands of students who read and contribute to StudentsXpress. You will be supporting their work and their future. You will help keep StudentsXpress in the hands of young people across Chicago.

And if I reach my first goal, I will no longer have to charge the schools to participate. Thinking positively, we might even be able to add schools and/or issues to our circulation.

Funding for CPS is abysmal. That is why StudentsXpress is needed now more than ever. And we need as many supporters as possible to continue bringing the publication to CPS students and their families.

Read through this issue and you can’t help but feel optimistic about these students—our future leaders. Let’s show them the support they need and deserve.

Please become a patron at patreon.com/studentsxpress and receive rewards such as a subscription to the magazine, the chance to be on the sXp patreon board where you can contribute your ideas, and many more.

I think this will be a great way for StudentsXpress to move forward and continue to grow. I hope you agree.

patreon.com/studentsxpress

Joanie C.

Can you find these pictures throughout the magazine?

Contact rachel@studentsxpress.com if your school would like to participate in StudentsXpress.

Sponsored by Constant Contact

While showcasing art and writing from students in Chicago Public Schools, StudentsXpress aims to promote creativity and literacy, encourage alternative expressions, create positive self esteem and open discussions.

What are the positives of diversity in Chicago and the world?

I believe that Chicago wouldn’t be Chicago if there wasn’t diversity.

Because there is diversity here we have different types of food. Chicago is a city filled with different types of food. Chicago wouldn’t be Chicago without all of the diversity. In my family we cook a lot. I love our traditional salsas but I want something different. I love Japanese food. I love it so much. I also love Korean food. I love the different flavors and types of dumplings and sushis. —Caleb M.

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merica lives by a motto. E pluribus unum. Out of many, one.

Chicago, like many cities and towns across America, was built by immigrants. From day one — families from across the world have come to Chicago for a chance to realize the American dream, including my own family.

Today, with residents from over 140 countries and more than 100 languages spoken in our city, Chicago continues to thrive from the vibrancy of our diverse population, and we pride ourselves on being one of the most welcoming cities in the world. Our immigrant communities have played and continue to play a pivotal role in shaping our city, which is why we will always do everything we can to protect their rights and freedom.

Since the Presidential Inauguration, there has been a sense of uncertainty among many communities in Chicago and across the nation. But, as mayor, I want to assure all of our families that Chicago is and will remain a Welcoming City.

We welcome individuals of all faiths and backgrounds, and while we have a new president, our values and our commitment to inclusion for all families will not waver.

Let us remember that each of our stories began with our own family members coming to Chicago in search for a kind and generous place to open its doors to their energies and talents. This will help guide us as we ensure that Chicago remains a welcoming city for all, and that all of our residents—regardless of where and into what circumstances they were born—have the resources they need to succeed in a thriving global city.

— Mayor Rahm Emanuel Isabelle H.

We are different.

It is very important for people to be different because it can help us learn new things. People who are different than you are can help you learn more things about their culture. They might also teach you certain skills, or what it is like to live a certain way. Being with people unlike you can also make you a more accepting person. This is because you will learn that there are many people different than you in the world, but you will realize that everyone is human. Therefore, being around different people helps you learn more, and most importantly, it can help you realize we are all the same, no matter where we come from or what we look like. —Veronica F.

Diversity! Oh diversity. You are as dark as the night yet as bright as the day. You have brought a sorrowful time among our people. Yet you brought change to us. Diversity.

You are a great treasure that everyone should savor and not treat like the speck of dust one finds under the bed. It is the unwelcomeness to change that left you in the dark and the shadows. As the people realized you should not be a pariah, peace was made and you were welcomed into the rays of light and day. As the sun started to rise, a good decision was made and everyone came together. Even today though, among the peace diversity, you are still shunned by those people still wandering in the dark.

Wanting the same thing for everything and not befriending change. Sameness is boring as a black painting. Diversity adds a splotch of colorful paint to life and makes life lived to the fullest. When diversity stops by the door to your life, welcome it, and make it feel like an old friend. For who knows? Someday, something great could happen to you because of the kindness you have shown to diversity. —Isabel S. When someone doesn’t agree with me, I can make us both happy by just ending it and agreeing. I could just go along with an act so we don’t fight.

I could just tell that person to believe what they feel is right and I do the same so we don’t argue. Last but not least just ask for some advice. Ask to get another’s thought or some research on that subject if there is one. I would maybe just ask that person maybe why they feel so confident on their thought being correct, and we could come to an agreement. —Mya M. ily. —Chanelle M.

We are all different but we are still fam

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I think it is important for people to be different because you learn different things from other cultures. Also, you can learn about the different religions and languages. Talking to someone who is different from you means you can learn what it is like to live in their situation. It can also make you grateful for what you have and open your mind to other ways of living. —Laila R. Diversity is important because without it no one would be unique. If everyone was exactly alike the world would be different. Our goals would be the same, and we wouldn’t learn anything. Our minds would think alike, we would have the same point of view, and we would not try new things. The way we’re now with diversity is great. The human race has made awesome inventions and improvements to the world, like creating cities with the highest skyscrapers to the tiny towns that have been historical. We think differently, and because of that we have done many things, like traveling to space. Without diversity the world would be less important. —Chloe R.

Kaitlin K. Diversity means... what makes a person themself.

They might have different skin colors, different shaped face and ears, and different height and weight.

It’s important for people to be different because it would be weird to be all the same. That’s what I think. It’s good to have diversity because there’s lots of interesting people in Chicago which is interesting.

—Mateo M.

h other. d to eac family. in k e b a We can rs we are ther. tell othe ho c a e We can to be nice We can tee B. —Yema If you have brow n or tan skin yo should be trea u ted the same w ay. I will help everyone . Everyone is di fferent.

—Adelina K.

I’m more different than anyone else because no one can copy what I do they can only do what they are meant to do. It’s important to have differences in Chicago and the world because if we were all the same it would be doing the same thing over and over again but if we were all different it wouldn’t be boring or plain. It would be much better we would make mistakes and have fun and feel and have emotion. I learned from that other person that you can only be you, you can’t be anyone else.

—Atticus P. What makes me different from anyone else is that I’m very unique and interesting. I’m different from anyone else because I like to do extra homework, I like healthy foods, and I love the least favorite in America which is soccer. I think it’s important to have different people so there could be different views. And also in school there could be different levels in school and we could hear many backgrounds. When someone doesn’t agree with me or have the same views we have to deal with it and just say well that’s your opinion and we all have different views. It’s important to have diversity wherever we go and it’s magnificent to have a diversity school. — Eric D.

It is ok to be different because you are special no matter how different. —Nivea

It is important for people to be different because it allows for better ideas that are more accessible to all.

It is important to be different, otherwise the world would be less interesting. Another reason that it is important to be different is because better ideas that are more accessible will be created, and therefore would push the world forward. Instead of doing the same thing over and over again, which keeps the world at the same place.

When we introduce difference, it allows new ideas to be created, that are better than the ones before it, which moves the world forward and allows us to have things that we never dreamed to have 5, 10, 20 years earlier. —Trevor H. What makes me different is that I am kind of confident about myself and who I am.

Rayonna M. Spring 2017

Olivia

It is okay to be different colors because we are all special in our own way.

We should celebrate our differences. People come to this country for freedom. To be different than people in England. So why do we hate and judge people for their background, race, sexuality, etc. if we came here to express ourselves freely?

When we celebrate our diversity, it shows that there is no need to be afraid. That we are all equal and we do not need to be a certain way to be accepted. No one will have to live in fear because of who they are. The differences in people teach us things we have never even considered. —Indira O. Lucas H.

In my opinion being different than other people is important and it is a good thing to be different. There are many great things about being different.

To being with, I think being different is important because being different helps us learn more about the people we know or cultures. Learning about other cultures is very important because it helps you understand how people around the world live. Secondly, being different is important because you get to experience different and new things.

Interacting with other people that are different from us helps us experience new things. This can help us because you might like new things that you have tried and that can even help us improve other things. Finally, being different is important because you get to make your own decisions. You decide how you want to live, how you want to act etc. Nobody can tell you how you should act or live or what decisions to make. These are all things that you have the power to decide.

In conclusion being different is a great thing and very important. Being different helps you try out new things, learn new things and do so many other great things. —Stephanie A.

I am different from everybody else because I think differently. I can have crazy ideas that sometimes I don’t even realize are taken. I use these ideas and make a movie or a book about them.

I think it’s important for everybody to be different because if we were all the same the world wouldn’t be special. If we all listened to the same music, or played the same games, Kacey R. we personally wouldn’t be special either. That’s why I am against school uniforms.

When someone doesn’t agree with me, I prove my point while adding in part of their point in my point so we are both happy. Like if someone likes cats and I like dogs (I actually like them the same) I would just say that dogs are great companions, just like cats.

It is important to have diversity in both Chicago and the world because like I said, nobody would be special. Also, the world has different cultures, and if there were no diversity, nobody would be able to accept their cultures.

Something I learned from someone different from me is my sister. We do have a lot in common, but sometimes we couldn’t be any more different. She has wacky and awesome ideas that I never would think of. She tells hilarious jokes that if I told wouldn’t be half as funny. She’s an incredible artist, and makes me smile. She’s changed me more than anybody else in the world.

It is really important to have diversity. —Hazel R.

Diversity, without it who knows wha t’ll happen but I know one what will without dive rsity I wouldn’t have the love I have for mus ic and I wouldn’t appreciate the world as muc h as I do.

—Isabella G.

I am different because I’m a Jew. And I love it.

As a young child I had a friend that I would always act like because I wanted to be her.

I have learned to be a leader and not a follower, because I like myself for me, not trying to be someone I’m not. That is why it is important to have diversity. —Elle A.

e skin but we have Some of us have the sam different personalities.

—Nora S. My own diversity is that i like to wash my hands with cold water, unlike everyone else who likes to wash their hands with warm water. I also love warm pools when some people like to have a nice cold refreshing pool. And i am also not very good at sports and i do not play sports very much at all when most people play at least one type of sports i rather just sit around and relax. And when i type i do not capitalize the letter i when other people do. —Reid G. Spring 2017

What makes me different from everyone else is my personality and what I love. I am a crazy, wild person who enjoys running around and playing basketball. I love reading, and am one of the few people who get in trouble for reading instead of doing homework. I love school and my favorite class is Reading because I enjoy the novels that we read. This makes me different from others because others are often not wild, and may not enjoy playing sports. Also, some people may not enjoy reading, or have to do their homework instead of reading a good book. I think that it is important to be different because otherwise there wouldn’t be any happiness in the world.

Because everyone looks and acts the same. But I want to meet different people who don’t look like me or don’t always agree with me so I can learn. If everyone always agreed with me, then there is no reason for me to learn anymore, because I am always right. —Abigail S. I think diversity is great because you can learn about different people from different cultures.

I learned about so many cool things about different customs through the diversity of all my friends. I learned about Indian customs from one friend and Catholic customs from another. I think that if there was no diversity the world would just be one Boring Blob! —Jack B.

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Amelie L. When I first thought of diversity, I thought of people that look different than each other. The next thing I thought of was looking up pretty people because diversity is beautiful. I took a picture of a pretty person off the internet and created my own version of beauty.

I think sometimes people are treated badly for looking different or acting different than others. I’ve made a person with a variety of colors to show that people are unique in many different ways. People shouldn’t be treated badly for being themselves. I think that people should stop to think instead of saying that being yourself is bad, they should say that being yourself is a great thing. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL e ople to b ant for pe re who rt o p im It is you a because to different on’t have d u o nd y R. n re a you are a K ourself. — change y

There are many things that set me apart from others. One that surprises people is the fact that I am left handed. That’s pretty rare, considering that only 10% of the world’s population is left handed. I take pride in being lefty because it makes me feel special. Being lefty also works to my advantage in things like sports. People get caught off guard by a lefty. Also, I am very tall compared to everyone my age that I know. Even though it is a bit awkward, it is pretty fun being tall, because you are able to do a lot more things that involve height. Another trait that I have is a small birthmark hole on the side of my ear. It is something that my dad and brother have, too. No one else has one that I know of. One thing I like that not many people do is vegetables. I really like the taste of them. My favorites are broccoli, carrots and Brussels sprouts. The main thing that sets me apart from others is my personality.

Everyone has their own personality, and no one is the same. —Nolan T. I think it’s important for people to be different because if everyone is the exact same as some random person in the world, you have millions and billions of clones of just that person—that would get boring! Also, different people should have different personalities, for example: one person likes baseball, another person likes football, they both have different personalities. If everyone liked the same thing humans would depend on that thing! —Jack Diversity is important bec ause you can learn differe nt cultures and how other people celebrate, like birt hday, holidays, also you can see what food different people eat and how they eat it. For example: my mo m is Indian and my dad is American. —Ronav N.

Sofija B.

It is good to be different. Diversity makes us all different, without diversity we would all be the same but we aren’t. Diversity gives us our own unique style.

Being different is a great thing!

One thing that makes me different from everybody else is that I am left handed and a lot of people are not. One of the people I get along with is Micah.

When I got along with her, I asked her to go to the other side because I was left handed and she was right handed. Then, she moved to the other side and said, “Is this okay?” —Makenzie H.

Molly R.

It is important to be different because if everyone looked like you and talked like you and had the same name as you it would not be comfortable.

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Diversity is important to have in the world around us because it gives us different perspectives on what life may be like. Different backgrounds, different cultures, different beliefs, in all it helps us be more open-minded. I also find it very interesting to learn about different cultures, or try different food, that’s not from where I came. —Mary

I have learned to not judge people from what they look like because they can turn out to be really nice and cool.

I’ve also learned there is no age for learning. Each day you learn a different thing. People learn in different ways but we all are equally important. We are all good at something, better than someone at something, but that also doesn’t make us better than a person overall. Labels can be negative and positive (depends on word choice).

—Vernice V.

Lily S.

How am I different? I am different because I am eight years old and I have PURPLE HAIR!!!

Even though people think diversity is bad I think it is good. Some of my best friends are diverse. One of my best friends is half Japanese and half Mexican.

Another one of my best friends is half Irish. These people are very nice people and they are not mean or bad. I could talk on and on about a lot of my friends that are diverse, but we don’t have all day. Until next time. —Micah F. Diversity is like the differences between us. Being different is great. You have your own good qualities. For example, you have a science project, one person who is good at drawing could do the model, another person who is good at writing does the explanation. Then there’s the look. Hey, being albino is unique, and you should not be sad about being unique. If everyone looked the same how could we tell us apart? Being different is being what makes you, you. —Giulian E.

Diversity is our differences in life. This includes things like race, ethnicity, language, political views, and religion. Diversity is uniqueness. Being unique is being yourself. One of my favorite quotes about being unique is, ‘Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.’ —Margaret Mead. It explains how everyone is unique, but that’s just it. EVERYONE is unique. So it’s saying that everyone is the same because they’re all unique. It’s funny that way and I like it a lot. —Hannah H. Being different is good. It’s good because if you are different you are not the same which means that you are special. Everyone has their own way of doing things.

In fact one of my favorite quotes is, “Be yourself because everyone else is taken.” I feel this really motivates me to get going and be as different as I want to. Be as crazy as I want to. What I’m saying is... BE YOURSELF. BE DIFFERENT. BE THE ODD ONE. BE THE OUT OF THE ORDINARY!!! YOU MAKE YOU!!! —Quinn L.

It’s ok to be big, small, medium, and it doesn’t matter because we are still special.

—Michael Moira W.

What makes me different than anyone else is I am me.

I don’t allow people to put me down and make me feel worthless. No one in the world at least that I know of looks like me and has the same personality. I have curly hair and eyes like the ocean. I embrace who I am. I think it is important for everyone to be different because if the whole world was all the same would it be any fun? My grandpa has always told me there will always be people like you and there will be people unlike you and then everyone else in between. —Mikaela I think it is important for people to be different because the world we know would be very boring. Just imagine you are making a new friend except your new friend is you because you guys are exactly the same. That would get tiresome after a while. There would not really be new experiences in the world. Also so you can learn from other people’s experiences. —Claire L.

Everybody is different. In my school I love that we are all different. When we are in our classes we get to talk to people who are a lot different than yourself. Every day I probably hear something new from people I don’t normally talk to.

It’s awesome!!! —Maya R.

agree with me When someone doesn’t y. Then I can wh I ask them to explain —Grace H. r. tte be m understand the

Spring 2017

Thomas E.

Malia

Truvaun Mairem I think it’s important to be different because you would not be able to tell who is who. That’s why it’s important to be different.

It does not matter if you’re small, medium, or large, you are still special and can have fun.

We are lucky to live in a place with so much diversity! Chicago is bursting with so many different cultures and traditions. If you walk down a street for a few blocks you can definitely see some diversity. You’ll probably see Mexican, Asian, or Italian restaurants. Look in shop windows, there’ll be at least one window with a different language in it.

Now picture life without diversity. You eat the same food every day. Probably pizza or hot dogs. You won’t travel at all because all the places will be the same as Chicago. BORING! See, diversity is what makes our world go round! —Ashley W. Everyone is different t insignificant Don’t worry you’re no Everyone has a heart Everyone is smart Everyone has a dream your beam Don’t forget to shine Celebrate diversity!

—Emily B.

I think it is importa nt to be different because it would be boring to have everyone like you, and you would no t make friends. You would not be able to be famous if yo u want to because everyone else will want to as well.

—Halsey T.

I saw someone with glasses. What I learned from someone who is different is when you have glasses, it makes you see really small words and you can see much more clearly. —Jerrell F.

Teriya It is okay to be different colors because we are all special.

I think people should be different because it would be boring and we would know everything about everyone and if we are different we would not know everything about everyone. So it’s fun to learn new things about people every day which makes life fun. —Sofia B.

Spring 2017

It is important for people to be different because it would be boring that someone dresses like you and acts like you. —Dina P.

Being different is good. If everybody was the same then we would not learn new stuff and life would not be fun. It does not matter if you have pink hair or short hair (etc). All that matters is the inside if you’re nice to people or kind. Being different is good because at the end of the day we’re all different in a very good way! —Sally G. Diversity, whenever I think of diversity I think of differences. Differences make people who they are, it makes us unique. You may hear that a lot, the ‘your’re unique’ part, but it’s true. Think about it, if we were all the same then what’s the point? What’s the point of making friends that think like you and act like you? When you want to do something you want it to be fun and amusing. If you did the same thing over, and over, and over again it would just seem boring.

Sometimes differences can be bad as well, like making a bad decision. So, the next time you think of diversity think of it as something important. —Natalie Y.

The positives of diversity in the world are that without people/animals being different we wouldn’t know different languages and we wouldn’t learn other people’s idea of how to do things. In other words, without different people, the world would be way different. —Logan P. , ’t know anybody apart from my mum Australia, I was really scared. I didn from g, rica ryin Ame wor to and ed ing, mov we tsee n sigh Whe of waiting, on the plane. But after four weeks dad and sister who came with me nice! Even though I was completely so e wer they and ol scho my to g goin ple t peo the of e som I finally met ds are over there, what we ate, wha about Australia, like who my frien w kno to I ted and ds, wan all frien of they , best rent the diffe I have some of We all got along beautifully. Now G. mily —E ng. bori be ld we did, and heaps of other things! wou life because if we were all the same, know being different is important,

I am one of those people who loves cold things like cold blooded animals and ice. You might be thinking I am crazy because everyone hates the cold weather, but I love the cold. I am able to hold an ice cube until it melts. When it comes to snow I leave the house right away I don’t even winterize. Sometimes I save snow and ice for the warm weather and play with it on my own. I like ice and snow. They make me happy. —Nicolas P. Many people are different because in our school people come from around the world but we do not tease them for being different. We treat everyone with kindness no matter what they look like or where they’re from. Some people tease other people about their physical traits and how they look which I think is not nice to do to other people. If you know the golden rule which is treat other people the way you want to be treated and that rule also follows for people who are different than you. You can also learn some interesting things from different people. —Mensur M.

Diversity means being different skin colors!

For me, diversity means two different groups. This happens with skin colors, hair color, religion, belief, and what I say to that is that it doesn’t matter! It doesn’t matter whether you’re darker skinned or lighter skinned, blonde haired or brown haired, Jewish or Christian, Santa or no Santa! It doesn’t matter at all because behind our outer appearances, there is an entirely different person. —Durham S.

Diversity is very cool, it shows different cultures, different people. We could starve if we didn’t have diversity, we wouldn’t have different foods. We wouldn’t have that wonderful Italian pasta that you all love. We would get stuck eating Chicago hot dogs. After awhile the hot dogs will probably start getting disgusting. Chicago has diversity so there is nothing to worry about. Diversity is so fun. I like being able to say that I am Irish or Polish, whatever I am. I love being able to say that. I feel unique. I wouldn’t learn Mandarin in school if we didn’t have diversity. I think diversity is very important. —Riley H. When I lived in Milwaukee, it was not at all diverse. There was probably only one ethnic kid in each class, but when I moved to Chicago, I tried so many new foods and cultures and liked them. In conclusion, diversity is much better than sameness. —Charles P.

Diversity is when people have different hair and wear different clothes.

When someone doesn’t agree with me then I know a good solution for making sure that both of us are happy. One time my brother and I were outside and I wanted to play football, but my brother wanted to play baseball. We had to pick one because we had only 20 minutes until we needed to pack for Michigan. So we compromised and played ten minutes of football and ten minutes of baseball. —Charlie J.

It’s important to have diversity because it creates more life and color in the world. It keeps everyone from looking the same or acting the same.

Diversity also makes the go getters, the inventors of the world, the people who think a little different than everyone else. Without it, there probably wouldn’t be any planes or rockets or even things like your air conditioning. Also, without diversity, our world would be very boring.

Diversity is amazing because it gives everyone their own spark that is different from everyone else. —Hannah H.

Olivia G. What diversity means to me is that everyone is unique in their own way!

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Claudia D.

What makes me different is how I act. Some people say I’m weird, but that’s what makes me myself.

I like to draw, read, play violin, and more. What makes us human is not our ability to do all these things we do today, but the diversity of all of us.

Diversity can mean many different things to many different people. I have learned many things from diversity like don’t judge someone by how they look. For example, in the book Wonder, there is a kid with a facial difference.

Many people judge him because of how he looks.

They won’t be friends with him. They won’t touch him in any way. There are two people who actually want to give him a chance. The boy with the facial differences shows them he is a great friend. He is funny, kind, sweet, caring and loving. His appearance may be different, but his personality is like a normal kid. To close out, something that makes me different than some people is I really enjoy dancing. I am pretty good at it and can’t wait to accelerate even more.

—Adelaide S. is I am mixed race, What makes me different re than once race. I am meaning that I have mo leader. I don’t follow in a different because I am my own. My hair isn’t the old/new trends. I make ly hair, which doesn’t typical straight. I have cur ething different. Like a define me as one but som different. —Lizy puzzle that each piece is

In my lifetime, diversity has become much more widely accepted, and I like that. Gay marriage is legal everywhere, and transgender is recognized more.

Despite changes coming soon, I think there will still be widely accepted diversity.

Chicago has pledged to be a safe haven for Mexican immigrants, and many people are working to help Syrian refugees. In the years ahead, we will all have to work harder to help, and always remember that we live in a many-colored world.

Imagine this: A Latino woman steps up to the inauguration podium, and her vice president, a transgender African American man, has just finished. In the ball afterwards, women dance together and men dance together; it doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation is. White children and black children and Asian children play and sing together, and no one is left out. In a rainbow-colored world, we shouldn’t be split between just two colors. There should be no divide between red and blue; black and white; blue and pink, and many more. The human race is one culture. —Lilly What makes me different than everybody else is I really like to play sports and a lot of girls aren’t really into that thing. Another thing that makes me different is that most of my friends don’t like the same music as me. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and then after a few years of living there my house burned down in a fire. Then we moved to my grandparents’ house that’s an apartment and moved under their apartment. I think that being different is important because if everybody was the same the world would be really plain and boring and if there was only one type of music it wouldn’t be fun. —Emylee The reason it is important for people to be different is because if we were all the same then how could we tell each other apart?

Simone G. Also it is important to be different because what if you were supposed to pick your friend up, how could you tell who was your friend? And the world would not be very interesting. Those are my reasons that it is important for the world to be different.

6

Talleda

Love blue, crazy, love to be pretty, cute, funny, chubby, short, smart, petty, lazy.

Aniya C.

Always Be Yourself

In my opinion diversity is to celebrate being different. It is embracing the idea that you are the only you there is. To live in a world where everyone is different and happy. —Whitman K.

What makes me different is that I am a young girl who is silly and funny well I think I am funny others don’t, because they think I am weird and that is how I know people are not like be but even if they don’t like me I will still be my silly and funny self.

Diversity means being different.

Nike is different from Jordan because Jordan is a person and Nike is a brand. —Jeremiah G. It is important for people to look different for me because if we were the same people can’t tell us apart. —Kaniya H. Diversity is difference in people.

Diversity is a good thing. Difference is what makes people unique and special.

It is important for people to be different and do their own things. Chicago is a place of diversity. There are people of all different ethnic backgrounds and people who lived very different. I am different because I have my own ideas, and I am going to follow my own special path in life. My path will be different than everyone else. Everyone’ s path will be different. Diversity means no two people are exactly the same. And that’s good. The path in life is never a straight line, and there will be bumps in the road, but that’s OK. Diversity is being your own you. —Rachel H.

Adeline M. I am special because I help Johnny.

I am different. I take my differences seriously because there is no one like me. I love that I am different. Even if I may look like my siblings but they don’t act like me. I love Chicago because of the diversity. When I go outside or downtown I see people that are completely different than I am and I love that. Everyone should embrace their differences as much as I do. I love that I’m taller than some kids in my class. I love that I can speak Spanish and English. I love that even if I stand by my family I stand out because I’m different. And since I’m Chicago I look different and if I look a different direction I see someone that is so different than me. —Yaxy M. We all come from one person but at some point we broke off into a million different people. We all have unlike features that another does not, but we all came from the same person so we also have something in common. —Oliver C.

One time someone different than me taught me an important lesson. No one has to be defined by their culture. Just because you’re acting mannerly doesn’t mean you’re acting “white.” Just because you talk a certain way doesn’t mean you’re acting “black.” —Ayers

Quinn I am special because I am an artist and I love dogs and cats.

What makes me different from everyone else is that I really try hard to be and stay happy. I also feel like since I keep a smile on my face that shows I am happy with myself. I also think if we don’t have diversity in the world, we will just be a glob of people. We need to show the people who think change can’t happen that it can. —Lalan B.

People can be different.

In every single way Not everyone’s the same People change every day m everyone If we were all similar, fro l ia ec sp us sity makes a er iv in D . up od d Life would be a bore en go l is al Diversity e would special then w nt and re as w ffe Everyone would think the same e di e on lif no es If else. iality mak The Giver. Spec Debate would be no more. in e lik y et ci so A. ke oo Br Next time you think the contrary from your friend — g. interestin Please just stop and think I think diversity is when If you accept that you are different DIFFERENCES some things or some people You’ll work out the little kink.

Our differences are what make us who we are, are different from each People would always be close-minded whether it is the color of our hair or a scar. other. And no one is the You would only see your view If there were no differences we would all be the same, same. I have diversity with People who are different and the world would be extremely lame. my siblings even though we Can help you think new.

We could be shy, or brave, short, or tall, are related.—Zakiah Without diversity, we could like sports, books, or even the mall.

No, you wouldn’t see Diversity means that it is Differences are important and great, The difference between you and me okay to have differences. so be yourself and don’t hate.

Helps us understand how awesome life can be —Everette —Grace W. —Georgia P. Spring 2017

There are many amazing positives of diversity in Chicago and this world. Let’s take culture for example. I have a good friend who celebrates Hanukkah. I sometimes go to her house, and we celebrate this fun holiday. There are many other cool cultures that make up our world.

One great benefit is that I can learn something new!

People have many interesting traits. I think the diversity in our world is amazing because our thoughts, looks, and cultures are shared. That way we have a bunch of little pieces of this diverse world. —Lucille F-P. Abbie G. If everyone in the whole world was the same the world would be a really dull world! Honestly it would be a nightmare if everyone was the same. Everyone is unique and that is what makes the world shine brighter. It is important for people to be diverse.

If people weren’t different the world would be boring. We couldn’t learn anything from each other. If everybody liked the same things and looked the same, just think what our world would be like. Think what if everyone was a die hard Cubs fan what would happen if the Cardinals beat the Cubs.

—Casey L. Jae Lynn

What makes me different than everybody else is that I have a pet rat and 2 cats. What makes me different in the fourth grade is that I am 5 ft tall.

Everyone else is smaller. Some other things that make me different is that I am double jointed in my arm and I am able to criss cross my eyes like a chameleon sometimes. So that is what makes me different than everybody else. —Abigail S.

Charm

What makes me different is the way I have my hair.

Me and my friend do not look alike because she does not have the same hair, but that’s why we are friends. —Savannah J. What makes me different from everyone else? I have the most blondest hair in my class. I also have ice blue eyes. And I don’t think anyone has ice blue eyes like me. I have the worst injuries ever! Also barely anyone can see my eyebrows. I am the second shortest in my class. I am the best at math. I love math. I am great at art (painting, sketching). I am also working on speaking fluent French. I have three best friends. I have one dog, Dolce, and that is what makes me different from everyone else. —Anja H. It is important for people to be different for many reasons. One is about different cultures and beliefs.

If everyone had the same beliefs you would be hearing about the same thing and eating the same traditional foods and stuff like that over and over and over again! It sounds pretty boring to me. But if we have all different cultures and religions, we can always learn something new. But, actually, that is the main reason (in my opinion) why it’s so important and so fun when people are different. You can always learn something new, always make new friends.

—Nicole B.

Charm is special because she likes to play games with her mom and dad.

TJ C.

Amalia I like to sing and I like to dance Flamenco, a style of dance from Spain.

Sophie R.

I am special.

I am different because of my name TJ C.

There are many ways for people to be different. Some people may be tall, and some people may be short. Some people are Jewish, and some people are Christian. Some people are of Asian descent, and some people are of Mexican descent. It’s okay to be different.

Whenever you are feeling hurt because someone was teasing you about the way you are different, think about how boring it would be if we were all the same. —Joan F.C.

Charlotte

I am 200% special.

Penelope

I think that it is important for people to be different because each of us has different ideas that all contribute to good things and better solutions. Once I worked with a girl in my class on a reading problem.

She approached the problem differently than me. She was right. I learned from her. Our differences were good and it helped me to learn and understand the problem in a different way. —Chloe L.

I am different because I love other cultures, and have been to France though I am only in 5th grade. I believe this is special. What makes you special? —Ivy T.

It’s not about the color of our skin or what religion we share We are all EQUAL! The color of our skin makes us who we are BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE! MAKE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! BE YOURSELF! because you are perfect just the way you are!

—Evi V.

I am special because I like to wear headbands.

Diversity is ok because everybody is special.

—Amir

Jae Lynn is special because she likes gym class.

What makes me different from everyone else is that I am my own self and have my own personality, and like different things. It is important for people to be different because then you are being your own self, and you don’t have to do or like what other people do or like. I think that diversity is important because it is good to follow your own heart or ideas, and not do what other people are doing —Adeline B. Spring 2017

Laelia V.

What makes me different than everybody else because of my style, my smile, and my personality. My eyes, my walk, my accent.

I’m nice sometimes and mean, I’m smart, loud, helpful. I’m very different there is only one of me. —Kaylah H.

Diversity is very important. Everyone, no matter how they look, whatever their gender is, or their race, should feel welcome. You shouldn’t leave people out because they are different. Being different makes you special. Especially don’t turn your back on those in need. Be a kind person. Everyone is important. —Jessica L.

Vivienne D.

I am special because I am from Greece.

7

Kai C.

It is important for people to be different because if there was one person in the world and everybody was the same as that one person it would be boring. So that’s why we are not the same. God made us different because He probably didn’t want for us to be the same cause it is boring. It is good for us because we have different personalities. I like Spongebob and some or a lot of people do not like Spongebob.

Some people have different opinions. So that’s why it’s good to be different. —Amara T.

Jacob B.

In my opinion it’s important to be different because if you’re the same you wouldn’t be you. Everybody’s different so there’s a point to life.

It’s important to be you so that there’s a point to life.

I think it is very important for people to be different because if everyone is doing the same thing after a while it would be very boring and nothing interesting would happen.

I think it is important for people to be different because if everybody was the same it would be hard to make improvements to something. To have diversity you would have other people to see problems that you may not see or have solutions you may not think of. If people weren’t different it would be hard to learn lessons, or hard to have empathy for others. By having people that are different we may not notice but we are helping someone learn to be empathetic and how to become a better problem solver. To have someone that is different is helpful for someone to look up to. By having diversity is how we change the world and make innovations, how we protest and stand up against inequalities. —Adam B.

What I think is important about being different is seeing things from a different point of view. Looking at things differently will mean nobody is the same. It is important to be different because if we all did something the same then nothing would change. Being different can make a change. Being different means believing in some things different than others. Chicago is a very diverse city and we all do things differently. —Max G.

What makes me different from everyone else? Everything. I have different abilities, accessories, weight, height, hobbies, opinions, etc. Literally everything. Why do you think it is important to be different? Because if everybody was the same life would be boring. You would have either only friends or only enemies.

There are so many things that would be bad and /or so wrong if everybody was the same. Have you ever gotten along with someone unlike you? Yes many times, everybody has. If the world didn’t have different people get along the world would all be split up and nobody would be friends. —Hunter S. We all are different people. We all like different things. You may like sports or you may not. You just need to accept that they are not you. You just need to be you and people will like you.

—Sebastian P-F It is important for people to be different because it builds acceptance within everyone. By experiencing the lives of different people, you are able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand the struggles and/or privileges of a certain person. Also, it eliminates stereotypes and you begin to view and understand that everyone is a human being who deserves equal rights—no matter what race, religion, gender, sexual preference that person is. —Aniah K. It is important for people to be different because it allows competition. Competition is the fundamental basis of natural selection and capitalism. By pushing for the survival of the fittest, humanity has pushed each of its individual members to be at their best. In a world where everybody is the same, competition does not improve anything.

The individual’s attributes cannot be furthered and humanity as a whole does not improve. —Alex F.

8

I am different because I have different family, different clothes, different skin color and other things. I like to be different than others because I don’t want the whole entire world to just have myself. That is why I want to be different than everybody else. —Melany P. Frances C.

I have learned that not everyone grows up with everything. When I was a kid I didn’t have to work for anything, I always had food, and parents there for me. But I realized that not everyone lives like that. Some kids don’t get to eat or don’t have two parents. I realized that not everyone can live in peace.

I realized that some people don’t feel comfortable in public because they worry about people judging or staring at them. I feel like since I live a better life I won’t fully understand what others have to go through. —Melody If you see someone that fell, go see if they are OK. If you play with someone that has different color skin, great! When someone is all alone, invite them to play with you. People all have rights. No matter what color their skin is they’re all people! —Nina J. She is Japanese and I am African American. We are different but she is my BFF. —Mikaya D. What makes me different from anybody else is my character, basically I’m not normal. I have a weird unique character. For example my favorite type of meat is Spam. For Halloween I like to eat vegetables. I have a strange addiction to shoes. And my favorite types of clothes are suits. —David D. I am different because I have ADHD which makes it hard to listen. It’s important for us to be different or we would all be like a clone. When you disagree you should compromise. It’s important for the world to be different because vacation would be pointless. I learned from adults that you should try new things. Be different. —Erik

What makes me different is that I challenge myself, I bet myself, I have a disease but that doesn’t stop me. I make life easier by life hacks. I try not to be different but I can’t help it. I am unique. —Shariel H.

I have learned from friends to accept others.

This is because a lot of friends or just kids that attend my school are of different races. You must learn to cope with them because you are going to spend a lot of time with them. This is important because we realize the generalizations of a group of people aren’t always true, through diversity. I’ve learned that it’s better to have this at a young age, so it becomes natural. If this were to occur, imagine how much better society would be. —David O-W

I think it’s important to be different because you get to learn new and do different things. Being smart in certain areas, your strengths and your weaknesses, where you’re from, where you grew up, who you know, affects how important it is to be different. You can get along with people much easier.

It’s like magnets positive and negative attract. Which shows difference and shows how it means connecting and understanding another. —Abdul A-B

then I will be fferent than me If someone is di t to be my w u d say do yo an nice to them. An a better place. make the world friend. And I will —Alexis M.

I am different. I am diverse. in a world of all grey, I am bold. But that’s not bad.

I will help so meone no matter what their sk welcome so in is. I would mebody w ho is dif ferent th an me.

—Noah H .

It is important for people to be different because you can learn something new you never knew. You can also bring different things to your friendships, but there is always something you have in common. Another way being different is important is when you learn what to expect or know how to get along with other people. Also, everyone will be at peace with each other, which will lead to less violence. —Gabrielle B.

Spring 2017

Daniel G.

One time I got along with someone different was when I went to my old school there was this white girl that was really nice to me even more than the black people she turned out to be my best friend. To all the people that think just because we don’t have the same skin tone that we don’t get along you are wrong. We all can get along. Yea us black people have history with white people but that is in the past and all white people are still not like that some want to be friends and cool with black people so give it a chance. —Kamara M.

Zakyah

What makes others different is that they have different talents and different personalities and also different race. I like to do stunts with my dirt bike and regular bike too. My favorite animal is a wolf.

—Jeremiah M.

No matter your race, age, or gender, we all have rights to be anything we want to be.

It’s important to be different because not everybody has to be the same everybody has their flaws and own character it’s ok if people like the same things as you but just to be like somebody means you’re not being yourself. —Nijayla B.

I am special because I like to write.

Summer P.

They are different.

Ziclaly and Anitra are different and the same.

We make up our own little game. We act like sisters.

We act like friends. We act like enemies. We live together. We die together. Maybe we’ll even fly together. Together to the end with the different colored skin. —Ziclaly D. and Anitra J. Sadi, me and Nora and Fallon played together at recess. All of a sudden I noticed that we’re all not the same cause I am brown and the rest were peach but we all don’t have the same eyeballs and not the same skin and we don’t eat the same thing. And we don’t live together. But we’re just B.F.F. and still play with each other but sometimes we fight. We stay apart with each other then we forget it then we start to talk to each other.

—Eleni B. Be you to your best ability Encourage your self and people around you

Dominick M. I’m different because my favorite color was pink.

It is ok to be different because we all can be what we were born to be.

—Johnell No matter your thoughts, gender or skin color, we should all be treated equally.

—Solomon S.

Spring 2017

I think it is important for people to be different because when I look around, everyone is going to look the same. But we all like different things. I also think it will make you stand out. —Mia G.

Don’t be afraid to be you I can be anything I put my mind to Find yourself Find happiness Everyone is gifted so open your gift Remember you can control who you are don’t let anyone else Everyone will accept you for who you are Never say never Think outside the box —Elle M. rent I will welcome people who are diffe people. te whi the to help the black people and K. mi —E ful. help I will be

Diversity is good. No matter what color you are you are good. —Eli K.

For me diversity means unique people and items.

This picture is about the different people looking at each other. This picture is not about a family.

You are unique because you might be different in culture, skin, hair, etc. Plus it is noon, night, and day at the same time It’s important to have diversity in Chicago and the world because there’s so much hate and violence in the world. I think there’s hate because people aren’t used to having people that are different around them. —Ashley J. When I don’t agree with someone or they don’t agree, I will stop talking and change the subject. —Malachi L. ken zie

Siena F.

Everyone is not always the same. For example, one person might like pizza and one person might like ham and salad. That means they’re different. Everybody can’t eat or do the same thing all the time. Maybe you can eat your friend’s sandwich, but not all the time!!! —Kahlid O.

Timothy N.

Mac

It is okay that we are all different from our friends and we still love them.

I was with my friend and his name’s Dre and he’s different from others like he laughs a lot and makes fun of lots of people but he is very, very smart. And he is different from me because I do not play a lot but like making jokes and having fun with others. The positives of diversity in Chicago and the world is like people’s different ages, heights, races, and religions. —Damion R.

S.

What makes me different from everyone else is that I am my own person. I act how I want to, I be me and not try to be anybody else. I love to play with my best friend Nijayla and we have fun. I like to play outside with my friends and cousins. —Destiny W. What makes me different is like the animals that I like, my favorite color, my grades, my name, my birthday, what hospital I was born in, and where I was born at. —Sequoya D. It is ok to be different because you are special!

—Antoine Nothing makes you different than anyone else, because we are people we all may come from a different religion, doesn’t mean we fight each other. We shouldn’t fight each other, we should get together and be nice to each other.

—Demarcus T. I think it is important for people to be different because they like being themselves and don’t care what other people think of them. That’s why they are who they are. —Taniyah

I think it is important to have diversity because if everyone was Taylor Swift it would be pretty boring in the world. People deserve to have equal rights. Everyone deserves to have equal rights no matter what gender they are or what color their skin is. I want to fight for equal rights but I do not know how to start. Please help me start fighting.

9

Londen

What do you think makes you different from everyone else? Well, I think that your personality is very unique. My personality and yours is very special. You can only feel what you are feeling.

I can do anything in my own unique way. I think you can be anybody! And so should you! I think I am different from everybody else by what I think of friends. I think my friends are the best, and I know that they are always there when I need them. That is why I think I am different. Maybe you should think about what makes you different from everybody else. —Addison W.

It is okay to be different because we all are special.

Melnie P. It is ok to be different because that’s the way we were born!

Right now I have a friend and she likes to dig for worms and I don’t and she’s Mexican and I am not. —Valentina O. What makes me different than anybody else is my personality. I have my own mind that nobody else has. What makes me unique are my actions and smartness. What makes us all awesome the way we are and sometimes you don’t have to be awesome just believe in yourself be confident. Be kind to people and they be kind to you back. Also don’t always be mad at yourself because maybe you have a reason to be in this world.

—Emilio H.

I think diversity is good because nobody wants live in a world that is the same, and you do the same thing as other people, because then nobody would want to live in such a boring world as that one would be. Change is good, and that’s a statement if you’ve ever read “The Giver” (it’s a book and a movie).

If you didn’t have diversity, nothing would have color, emotions, or their own uniqueness. Don’t take diversity for granted, and don’t be mad at yourself just because you’re different than others, be proud. They say “ Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” —Kyra D.

I think that what makes me different than anybody else is I like things that other people don’t. I look different. I have a different name.

I have a different personality and many many others. —Jaylah

When someone does not agree with you instead of getting mad at that person you can do what that person wants to do first and then do what you want to do next or you can do something you both want to do. —Natalya M.

Blythe

I think it is important for people to be different because if we were all the same it would be hard to tell each other apart and none of us would be unique. For example, if we were all boring none of us would be creative, smart or weird. Those are the reasons why I think it is important to be different. —Sylvie G. It is important to be different because if everybody was the same, people would do the same thing and go the same places. —Chad H.

It is important for people to be different because people will have different experiences. If we did not have diversity, people will never experience things they don’t understand. Diversity means celebrating differences between us. —Andy P.

Gabi

I am special because I help my mother grow flowers.

Gabi loves to be outside.

Hazem Hazem is special because he likes to play soccer.

Why I think it’s important to be different……. Because people can be different in their own ways people can’t change who they are. People can be different because they’re not like everybody else. They also have different personalities. Some people are drawn to different people cause they are different than others. Being different is unique. —Janivah C. DIVERSITY The way I look makes me different from anyone else. I think it is important for people to be different because if everyone would be the same then the world would be confusing.

My neighbor comes from a different country but we like to play piano together. The positives of diversity in the world is you can learn about new places. In Chicago there are people from many different countries, different foods, different languages and different facts about their culture.

—Dia G.

Diversity is amazing and if you don’t believe me just read this.

Vivien

Dora and Barney are different in a good way even though one is Spanish and one is a purple dinosaur.

Superman and Wonder Woman are different in a good way even though one is a boy and one is a girl.

Harry Potter and The Fairy Godmother are different in a good way even though one is learning and one has perfected magic.

Pencils and Pens are different in a good way even though one is lead and one is ink.

Now do you believe me?!

—Riya J. I like to play basketball.

I think it is important for other people to be different because it will be really bad if people were the same, because nobody wants to be like somebody unless it is your dream to be like that person. —Ramon L.

Diversity is important because if we didn’t have diversity the word special wouldn’t exist or mean anything. If we didn’t have diversity then we wouldn’t have St. Patrick’s Day or Hanukkah. We wouldn’t be able to know a different language other than English. Life would just be boring without diversity, everything would be the same, normal. This is why diversity is important. —Leilani F.

There are infinite skin tones in this world, infinite face structures, infinite DNA strands that vary from person to person. From the ancient Egyptians, to thousands of years from now, no two of us will be the same. All of us are different and all of us are amazing. Embrace your capacity, grasp your being, seize the opportunity and explore your passions. Live as yourself. Live for yourself. Live. —Nuala M.

1 10

Diversity is good, life would be so boring if everyone was the same.

And it is important because you have to be yourself, . not a second rate version of someone else but a first rate version of yourself are. we what us makes that because We’re all different and that is good —Kiedon M.

When someone doesn’t agree with you, you can listen to their idea and combine the two. —Da’Kyla H. It is important for people to be different because if everyone were to be the same then the whole world would only have one type of person or animal. Also if diversity wasn’t a thing think of how boring the world would be because then every day you would do the same thing.

And that’s why diversity is important. —Parker Spring 2017

My brother and I are very different but some people thing we are twins. My brother, Dominic, taught me cool things on a computer. He is very good at computer commands. He taught me a lot of what I know about computers because I am different from him and I didn’t know about most of what he told me. He was very different from me in so many ways but he still taught me the commands. One way we are different is he has brown eyes and I have blue gray eyes. Another way we are different is I am a girl and he is a boy.

—Alaina V.

There are many ways that kids and adults can be different. One way that I think I’m different is that I love to read but don’t like to write. I also think that I’m different because I like to play piano and soccer. Lots of odd combos.

I think that it’s important for people to be different. I think this because if we were all the same no one would be unique and life would be boring.

It’s important to have diversity in the world because if one person’s good at math and the other one’s good at science and they work together then they’re even better at both math and science. —Ryan L.

are black, white, I learned it doesn’t matter if you uis S. arq —M . ned or light skin

ur

Diversity, the way people are different from each other. Diversity is all over the world. United States, Illinois, and Chicago. We are all diverse in many ways.

It could be your race, religion, appearance, and even where you’re from. Diversity makes each and every one of us unique. My differences make me very unique. Though some people have similarities we are all different in ways. It is very important to embrace your diversity. If we were all the same the world would be boring. Imagine you have nothing special about you, what would it be like? We all are diverse but there is one more key component to it. Respecting diversity.

If someone is different that you don’t stare or treat them differently, you respect them. So that they can feel comfortable accepting their diversity. Diversity is very important in our world. It makes us who we are.

—Eila H.

I am humble enough to know I’m not better than anyone else, but wise enough to know I am different.

I’m different because I don’t care what anyone thinks about me and I’m not afraid to be who I am. I think it is important for people to be different because if they’re bad, evil, or even have problems they will need to change. I can handle a problem if somebody doesn’t agree with me to make us both happy by finding other options that we might like, or see do I like one of the person’s ideas. I got along with somebody different than me when I met a kid that didn’t like what I liked but we tried new things that we both liked and it was fun and me and her got along very well. —Dawon G.

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Some people are not all around sports players and only play 2 or 4 or 1 but I play them all.

I think it’s important for people to be different so we don’t get confused.

If you do not agree with someone, you can prove that you are right or just be wrong or agree to disagree.

It is good to be different so we the people do not think that I’m someone else and that person is me.

A kid taught me that you can choose the path you want to go down.

—Demerre’el W.

because s are diversity A box of crayon Cordell are different. — all of the colors

It is important to be different because you can be your own person and not look for other people’s advice and make them change you. Hear and see other people’s points of view. Also, you can figure out what you want to do in your life to achieve your obstacles. —America G.

Spring 2017

I’m diverse from other people because I am a good violin player.

If there was no diversity then the world would be boring and nobody would have new ideas.

I am good at baseball, and not everybody has that talent. —Eamon

When someone doesn’t agree with me, what I can do is talk to them and see what their other side of the story is and it might be up to a misunderstanding. If it’s not let them settle down go up to them and you guys work it out just don’t forget to not be yelling at each other. Try to analyze your behaviors about the situation and in order to analyze the issue it can be helpful to identify what led to the issue and what happens afterwards. —Destiny R.

Different cultures Interesting Very interesting cultures English Russian Spanish Italian The many cultures You are different than everybody else —Luke

Diego L.

It is important to have diversity in Chicago (and everywhere) for many reasons. One is to express people’s differences and struggles with each other. People will experience different things, unfortunately based on what they look like. If your entire life you surround yourself with people who look just like you, you will never understand others’ lives and hardships.

When you surround yourself with diversity you can hear people’s stories.

You can understand and have empathy because you now know what life is like for that person. Diversity teaches people to have empathy and be kind to people different than them. —Ella

La

One thing that makes me different is that I have autism. Autism tends to be very different in how it affects life and can affect people in many different ways. One way it affects me is it allows me to have excellent memory. For example if you read me an article out loud I would be able to say it word for word. Autism can also cause social interaction to be hard. For example I might have a hard time reading the mood of a room. Sometimes I don’t know if people are fighting or joking. Even though some things are hard for me I am not broken. —Ava C.

What can we do to be like Dr. King? We can be kind to each other. We can be nice to each other. —Autumn R.

When someone does not agree with you there are ways you can handle it so that you are both happy. This is important because even one disagreement can ruin a friendship or worse, so it is best to solve the problem before it becomes a bad argument. You can solve an argument in 4 steps. 1. Listen to what your opponent is saying. 2. Tell them your point. 3. Realize each other’s point. 4. Resolve. Humans will always have disagreements but they don’t have to become arguments. So when you get into an argument use these steps to solve. —Madeline Y.

Diversity means all different types of food. China’s food: dumplings. America’s food: apple. Paris’ food: croissant.

That’s a diversity of foods!

—Aryanna G.

It doesn’t matter what colors we are we can respect each other.

We can be kind to each other. We can tell others we are family.

—Kaden J.

A walk down the street A walk down the street and I taste lots of different foods, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, French.

A walk down the street and I hear lots of different languages, all swirled into one big noise.

A walk down the street and I see lots of different people, wearing different types of clothes, all different colors, shapes, and patterns.

A walk down the street and I smell lots of different spices, as if I were in a grocery store.

A walk down the street and I learn lots of different things from the different people around me.

A walk down the street and I now see diversity, being different, because that is the way the world is supposed to be.

—Samantha D.

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I met a lot of people at camp. They had four people that were camp counselors, and they were from different places. It was a girl named Amy she is from Spain. Her and a few kids who were Mexican tried to help me with my Spanish. I still need help though. But yea we talked and told stories about each other, stories about our families.

I love all of my different race friends! —Raquel R. Something that makes me different than most people is that I am a Muslim Indian born in the U.S. Being a Muslim makes things more difficult for me such as feeling I am being judged for my beliefs. My beliefs shouldn’t single me out from everyone else. I am still a 14-year-old boy living in Chicago. Yes, I am proud of being Muslim but why should I be called a terrorist, pig, illegal immigrant. Differences are important, it’s what makes you, you. Differences though should not make you unequal or lesser than anyone else.

We are all people trying to live a life without judgments, a biased media, and unfair politicians. —Abbas S. If someone doesn’t agree with me I would just let them have their own opinion and leave them alone. It is important to have diversity because if everybody looked the same life would be more boring. I’ve learned from different people that they have different color skin, hair and eyes. Also they do things differently and they have different beliefs. I think being different is good in this world but many people don’t like it. I hope in the future people accept other people for being different, but that will take a long time. —Richmond I am different from everybody else because it would be boring if you are all the same. I think we all are different and I think that it is a good thing.

—Briel P. What makes me different than everybody else? Well, I’m me. Being me means I am special. I can play guitar, I can build giant structures using lego pieces, I am a champion at slither.io, and I can play keyboard. I am also friendly to everyone at school. Like I said, being me means I am special and I am glad I’m me. —Miles B.

It’s important for people to be different because people have different personalities, people can’t change who they are, and they should be proud of who they are.

I am different because I don’t follow other people, I be who I am, I have my own personality, and I am proud of who I am. —Tamia R. What makes me different from everyone is that I have my own way of doing things.

Like if it doesn’t have the right cover I will not sleep on my bed, like my cover has to be soft and characters on it. When I make my songs it has to be soothing or it will have to Luke be written about my life or how I feel. Mainly all the songs I write are about how I feel.

Robby And there’s this app called Wattpad and my book I wrote on there is different from everybody else’s from the way I wrote it. —Kayonna W. I really like the color green. What makes me different from other people is I’m really small. It makes me Luke is a Cubs fan.

Diversity is the range of difference. What diversity means to me I think diversity is what’s wrong with the world. Diversity causes so much hate and violence. Diversity led to racism. It’s what is tearing our world apart.

I don’t get what we get out of diversity.

Power, I don’t think so, does diversity make you happy, I think it makes you feel even worse than before. Diversity could be used in a good way. For example most of our differences bring us together. I want diversity to be used in a positive way. If we keep pointing out the bad things, we will never see our similarities. That is what diversity means to me. —Serenity H. Kate

I am special because I look different.

If you are asking what makes me different I must tell you. First off I have a different personality. You see I can be somewhat funny. Also I dress totally different than others. Next, I do not have the same exact life as others. I may have different friends. That is what makes me different! —Emma L. I think it is important for everybody to be different because then everybody will have the same personalities. It’s I like to be different than important to be who you are. You could ask one person other people. I love my everything and know others’ personalities because of that mom and dad. I am one person. I think it is fun to discover people which means playing in my house.

Nathaniel B. you ask them all sorts of questions. What makes you different is you, that’s why it’s important to be you. —Jessica F. I think it is important for people to be different I think being different can be important because because this planet would be boring if knowing that you have flaws that cannot be found in everybody was like you. I learned math from another human being can make you happy about yourself. someone different than me. The way you could Things that you discover about different people become handle it if you disagree with someone is by locked in and it means something to you because you care. saying I respectfully disagree. It is important Being different can be very exciting like meeting to have diversity in Chicago because the world someone totally different from you can be interesting would be very boring with everyone like you. learning different languages, different food, clothing, What makes me different is I have an Italian personality, different looks, different styles. Learning about culture. I like comedies and not everybody is this can become very important to you or to someone else. like me. What makes you different? —Dominic It can create perfect bonds or relationships. —Briana C.

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different because I can’t do things that other people do like ride roller coasters or go on water slides and sometimes I can’t go on my age rides. I am 13 years old and I still have to get on the kiddie rides. I get so sad. —Tamara C.

What’s different about me is I’m a great student. I’m a great gamer.

I’m a great athlete. But school comes first. —Gemarion B. What makes me different from anybody else is that although I’m athletic I’m also academic. To add on to that I’m also a gamer.

Tyrell G. People come in all shapes and sizes but it is their personality that makes them who they are and you should accept them the way they are no matter their appearance and the clothing they wear or how they live.

—Kanyeh M.

I think it is important for people to be different because people don’t have to follow other people around because it gets annoying. People just need to follow their own mind and do what they wanna do and got to do regardless to what anybody else says. —Aniah P.

This year one of my friends come to Waters. She is different than me. With that I was able to learn something new from her. She taught me some things from where she is from. She is from Minnesota , so she taught me how to say it in the way the people from Minnesota say it. Although I wasn’t good at it. I taught her how to say Chicago in a Chicago accent. She was pretty good at it in my opinion. We are great friends even though we are different. —Clara L. What makes me different than others is just how I stand out. I personally think of myself as someone with many secrets, and a very quirky person. Most of the people I know just fit the stereotypical person in 2017. All the men like sports, going to the gym and being destructive, while girls are obsessed with themselves and how they look and fit in. It’s good to have diversity in the world because everyone and everything would be boring and gray and dull if we were all “normal.” Someone I know has a speech problem, had it when he was six, and having to adjust to his voice taught me about change and how to go with the flow and run with things, and that’s a little quirk of mine. —Devin What makes me different is because I do things my way. I have fun, it helps me be the person I can be and better than that is I have people that have high hopes for me and know that I can meet my goal. And pass it. But then I’m like two halves of the same whole that makes me different. —Maurice F. What makes me different than anybody else is that I don’t try to be anybody else, everyone is different and I hear stories on google that people change because someone is bullying them. You care if someone is bullying you for who you are and I am talking to the people who are getting bullied because of this. And you know what you are beautiful in your own way. Who cares about bullies?! —Kristen C. I think it’s important for people to be different because if everybody was the same we would do everything the same and it would start getting annoying and everyone will start fighting and somebody might get hurt and have to go to the hospital. I am different than everybody else because I don’t like to let people suffer like the homeless. I would always like to give a quarter to the homeless every time I had one. I would also give socks to the sick in the hospital while I am in Boy Scouts. —Samuel G. Spring 2017

I am different from other people because I lived in Gascony (which is a part of France) for 8 months in the year 2014. And also because my mom and me do not wear earrings (most of the girls I meet do). I also lived in a mill in France. —Charlotte M. What makes me different is that I am more laid back than everyone else. I don’t really care about what people say about me. I think it’s important that people are different because if everyone had the same ideas then nobody would debate on what is right and what is wrong. It would also be boring to have one way to do things if everyone had one mindset. —Jeremy H.

I think it is important for people to be different because if we are all the same then there is no fun in the world and if we are all the same then how are we going to meet different people and compare how we look different and how we act different but how can we do that if we are all the same. That is why everyone has to be different in some type of way!

—Marjanay M.

I think it’s important to be different because you don’t want anybody saying you’re always trying be like somebody, it’s okay to be different and have a mind of your own.

If people don’t like you cause you’re different and some type of way then they just don’t like you. You don’t have to be like everybody else. —Kamarria W. I think it is important for people to be different because if everyone was the same there would be nothing to talk about. Also the world would be so BORING. Nothing would be different and being different is what makes us human. —Sam C.

I think that diversity is a good thing. Everyone has the right to be different and independent. Being different is like showing who you are, where you came from, and things like traditions that you celebrate. If we had an all perfect community we would have nothing to ever talk about or express to each other. —Riley S.

What makes me different from everyone else is my personality. I’m really funny, kind, unique, but really really shy and insecure. I can draw really well. I love drawing abstract and illusions.

My hair is what makes me different mostly because I dye it different colors. I dyed it at least 10 different colors. Right now my hair is a blue/aqua. I love to play basketball, soccer, and dodge ball. What also makes me different is my culture. I am Mexican so we celebrate different stuff than Americans, but it is really fun. —Yareli V.

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Can you find these words?

CHICAGO COLOR CULTURES DIFFERENT

DIVERSITY FAMILY FRIENDS HAPPY

HUMAN IMAGINE IMPORTANT INCLUSION

INTERESTING KINDNESS PERSONALITIES POSITIVE

SPECIAL UNDERSTANDING UNIQUE WELCOME

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