Winter Break is nearly upon us and along with my wishes for everyone's safe travels and joyful celebrations with families and loved ones, I would like to share some thoughts for you to reflect upon during the coming weeks.
Many of you are aware of my background and family history which has shaped the direction of my life in powerful ways and put matters surrounding diversity and inclusion at the top of my personal priorities during the course of my career. While we have made great strides in our society since I was a student, I think most of us can agree there is still work to do. We can do better and we must do better. That is where you come in.
This holiday season, I would like to ask you to give the gift of understanding to those around you. If someone expresses an opinion that differs from your own, lean in and get curious. Ask questions. Suspend your belief that you are right and they are wrong and see if you can find some common ground. It is our difference in perspectives that make our world the rich, three-dimensional place it is, but if we are constantly shutting those we don't agree with out, we cannot have understanding.
This isn't about whose opinions are right and whose are wrong. If you espouse an opinion that creates a wide division between you and your peers, family, and friends, you have an opportunity for personal growth. Challenge yourself. Ask yourself where that opinion originated in your world. Does that opinion have a spirit that includes, welcomes and serves everyone, or just a select group?
Your opinions may not change but you will have done the work to thoughtfully examine them, and in doing so, you will be providing a great service to those around you as well as yourself. If you practice listening to those you don't agree with, especially those you don't agree with, you will be doing your part to create the safe and welcoming environment here at SOU that we cherish so much.
I wish everyone the safest and happiest of holidays.
Warmly,
Roy
