There are many subjects that are hard for people to speak about, let alone ask an honest question about.

The Cross-Cultural Leadership Center (CCLC) at California State University, Chico was started in August of 2007 and has quickly become an important part of campus life for students, faculty, and staff.

One of the ongoing goals of the CCLC is to become more noticed on campus. To help attain this goal the CCLC is now working with groups like the LGBTQ community and other groups to help create a more understanding environment on our campus.

Among the various opportunities the CCLC provides at Chico State is Diversity 411. This program is a result of the Faculty and Staff Diversity Summit that took place this past September. During the summit, one of the activities was a fish bowl exercise, which allowed anyone to put an anonymous question in a bowl and someone else with knowledge on that topic could answer.

The only downfall to the activity was there was not enough time to delve into topics as much as everyone wanted. That is where the idea of Diversity 411 was born.

Some of the topics that have already been addressed this semester include the suicides of young teens in the LGBTQ community as well as a discussion titled "Black Women: An Invisible Voice."

Every second and fourth Tuesday of each month Diversity 411 is held from noon to 1 p.m., and everyone on our campus community is welcome to attend.

Diversity 411 not only gives our campus a place for people to ask questions about potentially uncomfortable subject matter, it also has a variety of people attending, which will help to promote increased awareness among the Chico State community.

"It's an important opportunity for people to ask honest questions in a safe and respectful environment," CCLC Program Coordinator Amy Hormann said.

The various groups of people in attendance help faculty to have a better understanding of their students. It also humanizes faculty members for those students and gives them a new found respect and understanding for those who may have had to overcome difficult experiences and obstacles to get where they are today.

Hormann acknowledged that the CCLC wants to target freshmen because learning from people of different backgrounds and races can positively shape your overall college experience.

"Being exposed to the world of diversity is eye-opening and holds a lot of value," Hormann said.

The CCLC hopes to continue to grow, and with their hard work and dedication to diversity their success will certainly increase.

If you would like to attend a Diversity 411 session and would like a specific topic addresses contact Amy Hormann or CC Carter with your suggestions.  Contact CC Carter's via e-mail at cecarter@csuchico.edu, or you can reach Amy Hormann at her e-mail address, adhormann@csuchico.edu.

With the holiday season already upon us, now is the perfect time to celebrate diversity, not just from one person to another but culturally as well.

Christmas is one of the most popular celebrations around this time of year. Christmas is traditionally known as Jesus Christ's day of birth and is celebrated in many ways, including religious ceremonies and gathering the family together for elaborate meals and gift giving.

Before the 11^th century Christmas was called "Yule," which meant mid-winter. However, when the Saxons converted to Christianity, Yule became known as Christmas.

Another celebration that takes place is the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means dedication, and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. The celebration began more than 21 centuries ago, after a small army of Jews defeated a much larger force of Seleucids and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The Jews in the temple had only found enough oil to light their menorah for one day. Miraculously, the flame lasted eight days. Those celebrating Hanukkah participate in activities like playing games, eating traditional food, lighting a new candle each night on a menorah, and exchanging gifts.

Kwanzaa is also a popular holiday that people around the world to celebrate. Kwanzaa is an African-American  and Pan-African holiday that stems from ancient Africa. Focusing on the importance of human dignity, family, community, the environment and humans' kinship with it, and culture, Kwanzaa lasts seven days, beginning on December 26 and ending

January 1.

Kwanzaa is celebrated over seven days to honor the traditions of the first-fruit celebrations of ancient Africa and to reflect the seven principles of Nguzo Saba: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

The holiday season is not just a time to spend with loved ones; it is also a time where people can stop to appreciate others and the cultures they come from. The United States is made up of cultures from all around the world, so use this time of year to not only enjoy your culture but also to learn about someone else's.