You know what? It makes me mad when African-Americans have more problems with other African-Americans than students have paying their U-Bill. In situations like this, instead of bringing each other up as a people or a community, we break each other down and laugh at the first sign of distress.

It goes so much deeper, though, than the simple attitudes of one person to the next. One could argue that diversity is just a word that people throw around more than a football during a bowl game.

People want diversity but are they actually ready to embrace it? In order to preach something you have to have it mastered. We can’t even agree on a simplified definition of the word diversity!

Diversity at Iowa State is something that is hard to believe but not necessarily hard to understand. The idea of diversity makes perfect sense; however, the will to diversify is not apparent.

Students come to Iowa State to take advantage of the vast opportunities and enjoy their college experience, but many hesitate from the fear of not being accepted.

ISU students need to open their minds to a new way of thinking and let go of the so-called oppression that their ancestors may have had to go through.

As you know, most of us have never had to experience anything remotely close to the horrible treatment our forefathers had to endure, but it should give us as a community an incentive to go out and expand our horizons while educating others.

For instance, instead of segregation among ourselves, we need to break down barriers and learn to accept like we want to be accepted.

This leads to my second issue: involvement. I am all for students empowering themselves to do something proactive to help alleviate the problems of the many stresses that come along with diversity issues. However, in order to effectively implement the solutions, there needs to be a way to introduce the solutions into real-world situations.

The only way a problem will be corrected is if the group that feels it has a solution brings the issues up, not just to themselves but to anyone and everyone that it may affect.

At Iowa State the proper measure for bringing up solutions should come from groups that interact with everyone. Getting involved in already-established events, programs and initiatives is the best way for a student organization to get inside and implement the solutions.

If that fails, at least those involved can “break the ice” in a sense and have a brainstorming session. Brainstorming creates ways and means into which we can collectively come to a compromise and create a solution to any problem that may arise.

I decided to create an avenue that allows students to be able to talk about diversity, understand why we need it and to enjoy their college experience. In order to get to the position that I am in now, I had to follow a plan that would allow me the opportunity to do so. It took me a year in order to get into a position that allowed me to contribute and make a difference.

So what does this all mean? I have been at Iowa State University for almost three years, I have switched my major three times, lived in a fraternity, dorms, and apartment, and while I have been here I have never experienced any type of racism or diversity issue.

Besides the fact that I am in classes where I am the only minority, I would like to think that by the time I leave this institution, I would have made a mark or at least planted the seed that will push Iowa State into the future, with diversity being the No. 1 priority among administration and students.

As I try to live my life, I come to one realization: Talking about issues is nothing unless you are proactive and do something about it.

Myron Batsa is a sophomore in public service and administration in agriculture. He is the director of student diversity for the Government of the Student Body.