When I decided to transfer to Whitworth after being at Penn State my freshman year, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. However, I did have this idea that Whitworth would be a loving, caring, accepting place. I've always been told I'm very observant, so perhaps others don't see what I see, because when I tell people what I heard my first time actually being on the Whitworth campus, they're shocked.
My very first day at Whitworth was the day of the Transfer orientation. I was told that there would be a club fair outside, so I decided to go because I thought as a transfer student, it would be one of the best ways to connect. I saw a table for a prayer group and while that's not really my thing, I'll try just about anything once. I walked over to the table and before I was right in front of it, I heard the two girls behind the table (presumably leaders or members of the group), talking about how much they hate gay people and don't want to be around them or have any in the prayer group. After hearing that, I walked away feeling very upset, already unsure about my decision to come to Whitworth. My personal opinion on this is that I do realize that in the Christian faith, homosexuality is a sin. However, as a wChristian, you are supposed to love everyone, regardless of their sins. I wasn't expecting such a harsh, cold, non accepting environment from Christians. This is just one example, I have seen and experienced much more of this while being here at Whitworth. I think Whitworths lack of diversity is only adding fuel to the fire. People will probably always be prejudice, at least in my lifetime. However, maybe if there were more diversity, Whitworth might have a better chance at having that loving, caring, accepting environment that I mentioned earlier.
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