Throughout my college career, I have witnessed myself develop as a leader who is aware of different world views. I am sensitive to others’ roots, as well as my own. I grew up in Front Royal, Virginia, which does not have much diversity. However, my new home, George Mason University, is very diverse and has impacted me greatly in my ability to lead.

My experiences here have led me to acknowledge what diversity is and how it can affect others. The commitment to global and multiculturalism is what drives equality for others. There is a web of awareness, sensitivity, and advocacy that encompasses what global and multicultural experiences are. For example, without being aware of myself, I cannot be aware of how other worldviews are influenced by me. Also, I must be sensitive toward others in order to be an ally of other identities besides my own.

During my sophomore year, I was part of a planning committee dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. With this committee, the members and I developed an entire week of events devoted to the remembrance of MLK. There were multiple service projects throughout the community in which members of George Mason University came together to help others. We also organized an evening of reflection. During this night, students and faculty reflected on MLK and how he has impacted our world. During the second half of this event, breakout groups were formed in order to have a more intimate conversation about several different controversial topics that focused on multicultural inequalities.

Being a member of the MLK Day committee revealed to me the roots and impacts of system-based power and privilege. When learning about worldviews associated with other identities, I realized what privilege I have just by being who I am. Now that I know this, I can really take a step back and ask myself, “What am I going to do with this power?” I am now dedicated to using my privileges to help others by advocating for other identities when they are unable to do so because of prejudice and hate.

After the terrorist attacks in Paris, as well as the University of Missouri protests of inequality, I worked with my fellow Leadership Consultants to create a student-led candle light vigil. There was a time crunch, which made this experience that much more exhilarating. We invited everyone we knew and encouraged many organizations to attend. Our main purpose was to create a safe space for those who were hurting. Throughout the event, multiple students sang, spoke about their grief, and reflected on their feelings. I recited poems about the world hurting and how hope can be the thing that holds everyone together.

Leading this amazing event impacted me the most with developing a better understanding of what global and multicultural competence is. I used my abilities to create a safe space for other people with different identities to come together as a community to be able to reflect on the horrible events preceding the occasion. Becoming more knowledgeable about what global and multicultural means helped me become aware of who I am and how I can help others. Without this piece of the patriot experience puzzle, I would not be able to be as great of a leader that I am today.