It is so important to ask questions, to be curious; curiosity leads to discovery. As little children, our curiosity led us on great adventures and helped us to develop into the folks we are today.
Why, then, do we shut our curiosity down? In the face of things that may be considered controversial, we shut curiosity down, but are we not the ones who deem these issues controversial? Is it not we who create the criteria for what is and isn’t controversial and uncomfortable?
With that being said, we must not let ourselves remain ignorant on certain topics, because our ignorance can lead to some very unfortunate actions or thoughts.
We often consider “ignorant” to be a negative word. No one likes to be called an ignorant person. But, the truth of the matter is, we all possess some ignorance because ignorance is simply a lack of knowledge.
Here’s the thing: Just allowing your curiosity to lead to the asking of questions can alleviate ignorance.
When someone dares to educate him or herself about a different culture, a valuable citizen of this planet is created. We need more of this type of individual in our global culture.
We, of course, reside on a planet made up of hundreds of different cultures, and that in and of itself makes the global culture of our world rich. It’s only when we choose to remain ignorant of the cultures surrounding us that we run into problems like war, racism, sexism and all of the other isms that lead to conflict, yet stem from ignorance.
On this very campus, we have representatives from so many different cultures around this country and from around the world. Why not tap this great well of knowledge waiting to be accessed? Is it too much to ask that we open the conversation with those around us and expose ourselves to new, possibly even contradictory information?
This university does an excellent job of exposing us to other cultures through international programs, but we have to remember that we have international students right here on campus who are studying abroad.
I have found that when people express genuine interest in anothers, the best conversations happen. When someone they want to inform their worldview by delving into the culture of another, people are often open and willing to share.
So, I implore you, my fellow Pepperdine students, to let your curiosity lead to something great. Let this campus become a place that is open to conversation. Let it be a vibrant place that facilitates community without the bounds that ignorance brings. Let this place be an example to the rest of the human race.
The conditions are right for a spark of curiosity to start a wildfire of conversation, which will lead to a better world to inhabit. This is definitely not a new idea but it is indeed revolutionary. Be that spark that the world desperately needs.
