Students spent a day and a half engaging in dialogue about diversity and the unique challenges that minority groups face in today’s society at the United in Wu: Diversity Camp hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The camp began Friday afternoon at Camp Hiawatha in Wichita and lasted until Saturday afternoon.  

Throughout the camp, students opened up about their experiences.  

Some students shared painful remnants of their pasts, while others described cultural, sexual and class identity struggles.

“The diversity camp was so impactful,” said Danielle Johnson, program coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

“Instead of telling people to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, they were intentionally placed in them. To be able to really feel someone else’s struggle brought about true enlightenment and change.”

Natalie Toney, also a program coordinator, said students need to be prepared for an ever-changing and diverse world.

“They will have to work with people from all walks of life,” she said. “The purpose of this camp prepares them for that reality.”

McKenna Douglass, a freshman who attended the camp, said she enjoyed the opportunity to engage with students from varying backgrounds.

“I came to Diversity Camp not knowing what to expect,” Douglass said.

“While there, I was put into another person’s shoes through various scenarios.

I went through the experience of how exactly society treats that person. I left with a totally new perspective about other people’s lives and backgrounds.”

Junior Blake Glasgow said she took away that everyone has his or her own unique story.

“Never judge someone by their looks,” Glasgow said. “There is a struggle amongst us all no matter what your skin color is. Everyone has a story. Be grateful and learn how to turn the negative factors of your life into positives.”

Activities such as “How diverse is your universe” forced students to face the diversity or lack thereof in their own lives.  

Other activities included role-playing as people from other groups such as those with disabilities, LGBTQ community members, women, immigrants and other cultural groups.

Freshman Hitesh Rathod said she is concerned with diversity issues and initiatives.

“My experience at the United in Wu Camp was an excellent one,” she said.

“I was able to interact with people of different origins and demographics than mine. Although we were different, through this camp I learned how much we had in common.”

For Rathod, the experience was a profound one that enlightened him about the commonalities that exist between all people.

 “We oftentimes disassociate with individuals of different color, race and gender,” she said.   “But through this camp, I was able to withdraw myself from this mindset and break the stereotypes that I have heard and developed of people.”