Disclaimer: This is NOT a response to recent political events; rather, it is a commentary on my personal experiences and views.

Are we really so different? In conversations with friends, lectures, civil rights media, the "correct" response seems to be a variance of "yes we are different, but our dissimilarities should not matter" or "no, we are all basically the same." While I affirm the goodwill that the above entities are trying to share, these phrases miss the mark.

The answer is a resounding YES, we are different, and YES, our differences absolutely DO MATTER! Regardless of if we know each other as well as humanly possible, or if we do not know each other at all, our relationship must be genuine. In any interaction, any conversation, any friendship or relationship, the raw, honest nature of the connection cannot be sacrificed. Authenticity is non-negotiable.

How can one have an authentic relationship with another if our differences are hidden or held to be detrimental to our connection? It is impossible. The act and intention of unbiased learning about people and perspectives different from our own drive peace and understanding not only among each other, but also of ourselves. When you share pieces of yourself that do not align with pieces of those in front of you, this should bring you closer together. I am mournful that our society holds the opposite. Agreements to disagree and respectfully, lovingly coexist are too rarely shared.

It is our responsibility to use our differences to improve our lives. I am fundamentally dissimilar to the majority of my friends on matters of politics, religion, background, culture, and so many other reasons we are who we are. Yet, our differences make us stronger. Through our differences, we broaden each other's views and question, confirm, adapt, and find our own. We want the best for each other and thrive on growing through one another. It is ludicrous to think that a difference on one matter or a few negates or lessens the multitude of other connections you have with a person or group of people. We should strive to find that connection with everyone we meet, though the amount of effort required is not equal towards every individual we encounter.

Too often people avoid considering or getting to know views other than their own. Just because you are dissimilar in one respect, can you not connect over foods or movies? Can you not enjoy some of the same activities? Can you not have the same sense of humor? Can you not have any other common goals? Can you not help each other in any capacity you can? Can you not share a million other things more vital to your connection? Can you not find ways to connect over your dissimilarities? Can you not have a general goodwill towards the other? You most definitely can, and you must.