A community that is rich in cultural, racial, and religious diversity—and values and celebrates that diversity—is a healthy community. DuPage County, although still predominantly white, Christian and affluent, is becoming increasingly diverse. Our county is comprised of individuals with various socio-economic backgrounds. A growing number of residents are Hispanic, Asian, or black, and members of the DuPage community adhere to a wide variety of faiths—from Catholic and Mainline or Evangelical Protestant to Muslim, Hindu, Baha’i, and Buddhist.

Increased diversity has implications for various community institutions, particularly our schools. The student population in DuPage County schools is becoming more racially and ethnically mixed, but this is less true of the teaching staff. Overcoming any cultural or language barriers, whether through recruitment of more minority teachers or other measures, will be essential to ensuring that students of different racial or ethnic backgrounds receive a quality education.

More diversity also opens the door to more discrimination. It is somewhat unsettling to note that, in 2002, people attempting to rent or buy housing in DuPage County filed more than 400 complaints of discrimination on the basis of race or national origin. We must all work together to ensure that such practices are not tolerated and to promote greater unity and acceptance of cultural differences.