We are all human. Some of us think that although we are human, we are different from each other. Are we really? Well, in some ways, we are. But there are times when we let that belief go too far. People are people. We live in different places, live different lives, and follow different beliefs. But we are still one big group. A group that thinks and acts very alike.

No matter where we are, or where we come from, we all make mistakes. Hannah Montana once said, "Nobody's perfect!" Well, she's right. None of us are perfect. We have a way of thinking. We think about different things, but in the same way. We love the same way. Everyone has feelings and opinions. That's all part of being us.

Why has race been such a huge problem in our world? We are confused by difference. Different. Differ. Such a strong word, yet with a simple meaning. To us, when something, or someone, is different, we think of them as weird and unusual. If we see someone from a different country, and we notice how different they speak and act, we will label them different.

Being different simply means not being the same as you. But no, it does not mean better than you, or below you in any way. For people, it is normal to not welcome change as well as we wish we could.

Our lives are based on routine. We talk to the same people all the time. When someone new suddenly comes in the picture, our instinct is to point out their flaws because we don't understand who they are. We all need to open our worlds and welcome more change and diversity.

Another thing that we all have in common is that we follow others. When someone important in society speaks, we agree. Sometimes, we let others decide our opinions. No one wants to be left out. We are afraid to not follow. But then, where are our leaders?

We must accept our diversity. Learn from others all the beauties that lie in culture. We must learn from each other's differences; that is what makes us alike. We must love each other.

Of course, there will be times when we don't agree with the person sitting next to us. All of us have someone that we don't necessarily agree with. That's alright. As long as we don't let that get in the way of how we look at life, then it's OK.

We need to remember that "Though we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one." J.K. Rowling once wrote that, through the character of Albus Dumbledore.

We are a family. We share the desire to succeed in life and be the best people that we can be. And we must cherish the bond that holds us together.

Imagine a box of crayons. Some are short, some are tall. There is a red one, a green one, and a blue one. We are that box of crayons. We come in different shapes, sizes and colors. But all in all, we are made just the same.