<p>^^^</p>
<p>That is one of the most important if not the most important reasons for having diversity.</p>
<p>I have a Korean roommate, straight from Korea who I would have to say used to be one of the most RACIST people I have ever met in my life. And the bad thing about it is that he actually thought his ideals were normal. The first day he met me I later found out he ran straight downstairs to tell all of his Korean friends that he had a black roommate. His parents even tried to get him to change rooms (mind you these people don’t know me from Adam), because they were afraid I was going to “hurt him and rob him blind” but he decided not to at the last minute because he found me interesting.</p>
<p>By him having a black roommate, he has,</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Become a lot more socially conscious not only about blacks, but about every other type of person.</p></li>
<li><p>Has learned that stereotypes very rarely fit the everyday person and that all black people aren’t gun toting, crack dealing, breakdancing, hoodlums.</p></li>
<li><p>Has learned life skills on how to associate with people different than him.</p></li>
<li><p>Is generally a A LOT less racist of a person than he was before, and his friends have learned a lot from me too.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Suffice to say I haven’t stolen any of his stuff, or hit him in any way, shape, or form, and we have become the best of friends. We’re even rooming together next year which is VERY rare, considering that he is an international student and getting past being acquaintances would of been an accomplishment, seeing as how they always cling to their own kind like a lifesaver.</p>