NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Campaign: Understanding the Why
10/17/2023 1:29:00 PM | Maryland Made
This week, the NCAA is hosting its Diversity & Inclusion campaign. Today's topic is "Understanding the Why": Why do I support others who have different identities and experiences?
Field hockey's Reese Delp shares her thoughts below.
I support others who have different identities and experiences because I believe that surrounding myself with a diverse group of people makes life richer, creates more opportunities for tackling problems, and allows for deeper understanding and connection. My personal values and lived experiences have led to me highly valuing diversity and inclusion of different identities, experiences, and perspectives in all areas of my life.
My family has always emphasized the importance of listening to others humbly, and validating their experiences and identities even when I do not understand. As a result, I have always maintained a diverse group of friends. It is crucial to me to recognize that my understanding and perspective is not everyone else's, especially in the context of understanding issues of inequality and injustice, but also for all of my relationships.
My sister is adopted from Ethiopia, and having a Black sister has shown me how we experience the world differently because of our racial identities. Living overseas in Germany and having the opportunity to travel also expanded my worldview and ingrained in me the importance of embracing diversity and embracing people with different experiences. Being in a country where I was not a part of the dominant cultural group helped me learn empathy for people who have to assimilate into different cultures.
Intentionally connecting with people who have different life experiences than my own has been incredibly fulfilling and is how I live my life. I believe that supporting others' is necessary for impactful diversity and inclusion, and that this leads to more effective solutions for pressing issues of injustice, deeper relationships, and stronger communities.
Reese Delp
Field hockey's Reese Delp shares her thoughts below.
I support others who have different identities and experiences because I believe that surrounding myself with a diverse group of people makes life richer, creates more opportunities for tackling problems, and allows for deeper understanding and connection. My personal values and lived experiences have led to me highly valuing diversity and inclusion of different identities, experiences, and perspectives in all areas of my life.
My family has always emphasized the importance of listening to others humbly, and validating their experiences and identities even when I do not understand. As a result, I have always maintained a diverse group of friends. It is crucial to me to recognize that my understanding and perspective is not everyone else's, especially in the context of understanding issues of inequality and injustice, but also for all of my relationships.
My sister is adopted from Ethiopia, and having a Black sister has shown me how we experience the world differently because of our racial identities. Living overseas in Germany and having the opportunity to travel also expanded my worldview and ingrained in me the importance of embracing diversity and embracing people with different experiences. Being in a country where I was not a part of the dominant cultural group helped me learn empathy for people who have to assimilate into different cultures.
Intentionally connecting with people who have different life experiences than my own has been incredibly fulfilling and is how I live my life. I believe that supporting others' is necessary for impactful diversity and inclusion, and that this leads to more effective solutions for pressing issues of injustice, deeper relationships, and stronger communities.
Reese Delp
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