"Diverse City"

TobyMac is one of my favorite Christian artists. One of his songs really applies to this class, in my opinion. It's called "Diverse City". Here's a youtube link to a video made by someone that includes the music and lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfl_hqhKhfU. Even though this song talks about bringing all people of all races together to praise God, I think TobyMac's message can go beyond that. TobyMac's main point is that we should bring all people together and "together we make diversity". We should all appreciate and accept everyone's differences. Even though each person is different, we are not all that different either. We are all people, we just have different backgrounds and identities that shape who we are. That's what makes us individuals. If everyone was the same, there wouldn't be such a thing as diversity. I think that diversity is what gives this world flavor and to see it not appreciated or respected is really sad.

Another thing that TobyMac is doing is raising money for a school called New Hope Academy. According to the school's website (http://www.newhopeacademy.org/), this school's families and teachers are "from over 35 different religions and denominations, and represent more than 25 nationalities". The website also says that "although our backgrounds are diverse, we have in common a love of God and a set of shared values". I think that what this school is doing is really cool. To be able to go to a school where so many different religions and nationalities are represented would be an amazing opportunity. Coming from a school where the majority of students are conservative and white (basically no diversity!), I can't even imagine what this would be like. No religion classes are offered, but teachers and students are able to share with their students and classmates their traditions. This is something that I never really was able to learn about before coming to college and I wish that I would have had the same opportunity the students of this school are having!