Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Picture an exotic mix of different languages, an array of different skin colours, a diversity of political views, and a multiplicity of races topped by a mix of sexual preferences. That is Rhodes University, if one takes a moment and ignores the drinking and partying.
Diversity is one of the things I love about this place. Especially since I have this love for learning languages. At the moment I can only speak six and I am working on the seventh one. But I am not writing about my linguistical capabilities. Diversity is good in many ways. The other day I booked halaal for my meals. It was a bit spicy but tasty. Being a connoisseur of food, I gave a toast to diversity. It gives one a chance to eat various kinds of food. I also tried umphokoqo, a Xhosa meal. Not bad at all.
Before I came to Rhodes, I had never met a gay person before. But when I did, I was in for a surprise. I discovered that sexuality does not make a person different from any other. We are all the same whether we are gay, transsexual or homosexual. The Rhodes cultural mix taught me acceptance. I can relate easily to people of all hues of skin colour. When I finish my degree, I will have gained a lot that is not necessarily academic.
Of course, I would have done nothing if I don’t dwell on my favourite topic. Women. Make no mistake, it’s my favourite topic for innocent reasons. Not that I have to explain anything. They are one of the reasons why I propose a toast to diversity. I mean, where can one encounter such a mix of beauty? I’ve been enchanted by Indian beauties with the silkiest, most beautiful dark hair. African beauties with the kind of hips that I’ll reserve a description for another post. Caucasian lovelies with the kind of beauty that is the stuff of dreams. Coloured girls who are so wonderful you’d think they belonged in another world. The list is endless. All I can say is, this is one of the products of diversity. If this isn’t paradise, then I don’t know what is. I’m hopefully not being blasphemous.
To embrace diversity is one of the biggest favours we can do to ourselves. It is good for our enhancement as people. Luckily for Rhodents, diversity is not on our doorstep but in our midst. Let’s embrace it.
Posted by Anonymous at 5:56 AM