Sam Cross urges inclusion through engagement

Everyone has a voice, but many do not choose or cannot share their opinion. While all see the world through different lenses, too often people’s perspective remains hidden or muted. 

However, these unique voices are valuable tools to better understand complicated issues that people face. Whether they be groups or individuals, people’s perspectives are sometimes drowned out or silenced by the majority.

During my time at Newsroom by the Bay, a weeklong Stanford journalism camp in June, I wrote an article on homelessness in San Francisco. I walked the crowded, dirty streets of the city looking to tell a story.

I met Brian Martin, a disabled veteran with a broken back and living on the streets. He shared his experiences with street gangs, overcrowding at local shelters and effects of rising housing costs in the Bay Area.  

As I spoke to him, I noticed disapproving looks from commuters as they strolled passed us.

Later another homeless man, Bobby Lee, expressed his struggle with his socio-economic status with me. According to Lee, many who passed him would ignore him or pretended he did not exist, making him feel sub-human.

The nation faces many struggles within its communities. Racism, wage-gaps and immigration all affect Americans in some way.

One of the glaring issues that continue to plague America is the silence of hosts of people who either cannot or feel insignificant. The homeless in many cases are ignored and their voice considered worthless because of their economic standing. However, whether a person is rich or poor, black or white and naturalized or unnaturalized, they are inherently born with a voice and a basic right for their voice to be heard by others.

On the playground or lunch tables, one can often find a child or students isolated from the rest of the group. In most cases, that child/student is either shunned from the group and cast out because of petty differences or a disagreement, just plain shy or has self-confidence issues. Yet we all have the basic yearning to be heard and a need to belong.

In the tense political and social climate of today, journalists and readers alike need to seek out all sides of the story and ensure each side has a voice in the debate. People do not have to accept the other sides as truth, but we must remember to tolerate all views and ideas.

At Fresno Christian, foreign exchange students often do not have a voice as they struggle to overcome cultural differences and language barriers. The students’ home country’s cultures differ from western cultures, but cultural differences should not isolate them from the rest of the student body.

Yunxi (Keith) Zhu is a foreign exchange Feather staffer who brings a unique angle and thought to the journalism team. His articles are exceptional and very interesting to read. When I first met Keith, I did not discount him because of his different approach to diet or language, and I enjoyed being around his bubbly and energetic personality.

Homecoming approaches and many exchange students do not involve themselves in student activities or hosted events. Campus exchange students have developed their own community within the campus and do not venture outside their circle. I challenge the leadership class, Associated Student Body members, The Feather staff and my fellow peers to accept exchange students and assist them in assimilating with classmates.  

I encourage all students to develop a connection with a foreign student on campus and learn more about them connecting with them on a personal level. Give the silenced an opportunity to speak out and listen to them.

For more columns, read Editorial: News Engagement Day spreads awareness and  Roman Endicott, column: Create an FC experience right now.

Sam Cross can be reached via Twitter and via email.