,
Because USC is such an accepting school, there are very few people who wouldn't fit in here. But there have been examples of individuals who detract from the interconnectedness of USC. For me, it is those individuals who have yet to embrace differences. We spend so much time trying to educate students about how to treat one another, and why someone who looks different, or talks different, has a different sexual preference, religion, culture, or diet - why these people should be valued. And sometimes I wonder if the people we're trying to teach are even listening, or are our words just floating into the minds of the educated and staying there? So, if a student wants to attend USC but doesn't want to embrace uniqueness, they should not attend this school. Simply put, we are trying to build a community where people feel comfortable to be themselves. When I wear my hair in cornrows and people look at me sideways, walk a little farther away from me, speed up their pace like I am any different than when I wear my hair down, then this is not adding to the community that USC is supposed to be. Outside of this, we aren't asking for saints. We want students with humility and basic understanding of another person's rights. If a prospective student doesn't have this, they will not only not thrive at USC, but they may not thrive out in the world.