When 2,000 people stand, three stay seated out of personal belief. When one dresses to cover, 2,000 dress to reveal. When everyone is even, you’re the only odd.

Our country gives us this freedom, but do we appreciate this? Are we letting it ring? Are we embracing differences?

Even today, in 2008, local differences are not only noticed, but are acted upon. Earlier this year, students in Chesterfield were reprimanded for creating an unofficial spirit week with days including “Hit a Tall Person Day,” and going as far as, “Hit a Jew Day.”

With our country entering a new era, a new presidency, and a new year, actions such as these diminish the intelligence that we have in the twenty-first century, and should be a thing of the past.

Our country gives us the freedom for discrimination to be possible, but our country does not give us the freedom of discrimination. And because we are all different and we are all unique, our differences and our uniqueness are what we should be embracing.

We are all striving for one unified purpose: to be happy.

When you’re young, you tend to look past differences and see the truth. Currently, we are at the brink of adulthood. Discrimination is not taught and acceptance is instilled into us at an early age.

Whether it’s through religion – Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, Catholic or Christian. Whether it’s through success and the ways we live our lives. Whether it’s through our families, our hobbies. Whatever it may be, we must respect one another enough to let happiness be possible.