Reflecting on Diversity 

Emma Short

University of Nebraska at Kearney 

SOWK-420: Diversity and Social Justice

Dr. Jody Van Laningham 

October 10, 2025 

 

With whom did you identify most strongly in the video, and why? (a list of the characters in the film is provided below.) 

    During this video, I found myself agreeing and relating to David Lee, Victor, and Gordon the most. They were very passionate about how they presented themselves. I consider myself American, but a significant portion of my family is of Irish and Italian descent. I was born in the United States and raised as an American. Davis Lee said the same thing. He identifies with being American. He is Chinese, but as he mentioned, he was born in America and educated there. This was very bold of him to say, especially with understanding Chinese Americans, who hold their traditions and culture extremely close to their hearts. I also liked that Victor said that he is a racist and he is trying to learn stories, understand different points of view, and understand that racism is wrong. I also connected with Victor not by his background, but by his passion for not submitting to the change that white people in the United States want. 

What moment in the film is most memorable for you, and why is it significant, or what did it teach you? 

    The most memorable part for me was when Victor became very emotional while sharing his experience with David. Some people might see him as getting angry, and I don’t see it that way. I know a man who has been through so much and yearns for respect from the world he lives in. We all want to fit in and be respected, and we should all receive consideration regardless of our race or ethnicity, because we are all different. As Victor said, he should not have to worry about making sure that other people are comfortable with him because of his skin color. We should be comfortable with him because he is another human being. And I agree that the word ‘human’ has been misused. To be human, you have to form into what others believe is human, not who you truly are, and those words spoke volumes to me. 

How has the film added to your understanding of issues related to racial/ethnic diversity, racism, oppression, or privilege? 

    I like to think that I understand the issues related to racial/ethnic diversity, racism, oppression, and privilege, but I do not. These problems will not be solved within my lifetime. We inch closer every day by spreading videos like this, but these films are sadly only shown in classes like this, with people like us wanting to make a change. Not everyone wants to see change. I understand more about what to look out for and how to treat people with different backgrounds than my own. That is significant progress. 

Reflect on your own experience with diversity. How has your own background influenced how you think about culture, race, and people in general? Discuss moments where you’ve witnessed or experienced discrimination, prejudice, or privilege and how it has shaped your understanding of social justice. 

            I grew up in a small town in Wyoming. My experience with people of different racial and ethnic diversities is slim. Growing up, when we would go to Denver, for example, I would always keep an eye on someone different from me. I believed the stereotypes that are spread, not to trust people who are different than me. Going to college and seeing the world, I now understand that people are not a threat because they are distinct; if anything, it adds to the beauty of diversity. An experience that I had was a couple of years ago. I was working in a local coffee shop, and a black couple had walked in, they were on vacation traveling the states. When my boss saw them walk in, she told me to keep an eye on them to make sure that they don’t steal anything, and that they cannot pay with a food stamp card, because if they could not afford the meal, they are not good enough people to eat in her establishment, when she said that to me, I took off my apron and walked out. I quit. I had never been more ashamed to grow up in my town. I visited the local newspaper and submitted an article about her business and her approach to customer service. They never posted the article, but I felt good trying to make that issue public. Unfortunately, she is still able to act like this, but she lost a good employee that day, and customers she should have been grateful to have!