MY JOURNEY TO INCLUSION
When I was young, I thought the world was small—just my home, my school, and the friends who looked and spoke like me. I believed that what I knew was all there was to know. Everyone around me shared similar foods, songs, and traditions. It felt comfortable and familiar. But comfort can sometimes hide the beauty that lies beyond it. I did not yet understand how wide and colorful the world truly was. I had not learned that difference is not something to fear. I had not yet discovered the power of diversity and inclusion. One day, a new student joined my class. Her name was Amina, and she had moved from another region. Her accent sounded different from ours, and she wore clothes that reflected her culture. At first, I noticed how some classmates whispered and stared. I also felt unsure of how to approach her. Instead of seeing her as a friend, I saw her as “different.” That small word carried a quiet wall between us. I did not realize that walls are built from misunderstanding. And...