<p>Diversity is a MAJOR contributor to mental and personal growth, whether you realize it or not. I come from a very diverse area and some of my family is from a relatively self segregated state (VA, where many blacks and whites are friendly, but prefer to deal with only each other). I see the advantages everyy time I go down there, not only do all my friends and I have a more open mind to newer things, but more people down there have erroneous and ignorant stereotypes, are adverse to trying new cultural thing because they don’t understand it, and also allow themselves to fall victim to though “other races are out to get me” mentality. I personally think diversity is a huge part of growth.</p>