Diversity is a word many of us know at U.City and it truly reflects our school. Many classes are filled with students that are all sorts of different religions and have unique cultural backgrounds.

Some people’s religious and cutural beliefs are easily distinguishable by their style of dress, including yamakas, worn by jewish men which symbolize that there is something higher and head scarfs worn by women in the muslim community which represents the modesty of a woman’s beauty by covering certain parts of the body. Other cutural beliefs are not as apparent. It takes for one to ask the personal and risky question not all are fond of, What are your religious beliefs?

For instance, senior Alaina York is an ethical humanist. By looking at her you would assume that she is just like you. After talking to her, however she explained “An ethical humanist is a religion not based on God, but a belief in the goodness of humanity.”

Or, like another student, who wishes to remain unidentified, believes in worshiping the elders in their community. “It’s a belief in the after life. We belief that our elders hold the answers we need to live a fulfilling life. We go to them for advice, prayer and energy.”

Many religions and unique cultures make up our student population. By taking a moment and really getting to know your classmates you could possible learn something new about not only them, but yourself. Knowing someone’s religious beliefs and cultural upbringings may be one the deepest connections you can make.