In response to the recent discussions on the social climate of DePauw University, I would like to share my experiences within the context of diversity prior to my DePauw experience. I am an adopted black man, raised by gay parents in San Francisco. My upbringing provided me an open-minded perspective regarding people with different backgrounds and life circumstances.
Since arriving at DePauw, I have acquainted myself with many a person from different ethnic groups, economic statuses, political alignments, religious preferences, sexual preferences, sexual identities, etc. As a DePauw student I'm privileged because I have access to a diverse student body and faculty with varying experiences and perspectives I can share and learn from.
I'm continuously educated about the experiences of minorities in the U.S. At times I couldn't fully relate to some of these experiences because I've had the privilege of growing up in a stable home, living in a neighborhood mostly free of crime, attending high quality academic institutions, etc. I've had the privilege of avoiding many of the negative life experiences that many people unfortunately endure. However, I'm continuously developing a more complete understanding of theses experiences through dialogues on such topics with my family, friends, classmates and acquaintances. I cannot control where I come from, but I can control how I respect and appreciate others and where they come from.
I would be a hypocrite to say that I practice what I preach at all times; however, I do strive for my social betterment through understanding myself and those around me. In order to understand, I can't judge or assume. I must embrace other people's differences if I expect to be embraced for mine. We all have opportunities to discover things beyond our own lives, and we should take advantage of them. It's a privilege to interact with the various people I come across on a daily basis at DePauw University.
-Reginald Webb, Class of 2016