Justin and Michelle had been dating for about six months during their sophomore year in high school. They really liked each other so just before the sophomore dance they decided to meet one another’s families. Neither saw any problem. Justin and Michelle’s friends didn’t seem to mind the relationship. They thought the two of them made a really cute couple.

Justin and Michelle were each popular, friendly and had good senses of humor. Both were interested in music, each planned to go on to college and major in education, and together, they dreamed of someday opening their own music school. The one “sour note” in the whole arrangement was their parents.

Neither Justin’s nor Michelle’s folks was happy about the kids dating. Justin was White and Michelle was Asian. She came from a very religious family who were less than pleased that besides being Caucasian, Justin was Protestant. Their daughter was expected to marry an Asian Catholic and have a traditional family. Justin’s mom and dad weren’t as religious; they just had certain stereotypes about Non-White people, in general. These stereotypes or cultural groupings caused Justin’s parents to be prejudice against Michelle’s even before they got to know them.

“They are just different,” Justin tried to explain to his parents. “They speak a different language, eat different foods, and practice different customs and rituals. Just because you don’t know much about their culture doesn’t mean it’s strange or wrong,” he argued defensively.

But Justin’s parents would not buy into his explanation. “She just isn’t right for you,” they insisted. “You’re still sixteen,” they reminded him. “That is much too young to get involved with a girl who is so different from you.”

Justin shot back angrily, “All my life you taught me to accept everyone as my equal. Did you mean only the people “like me” or really every human being?”

Keep in mind that being different does not mean being inferior, or not as good of a person.