Unique is awesome.

I hate to break it to you, but there's a significant amount of racial and cultural tension happening globally. As a black man discussing fatherhood, I experience this even in my small corner of the internet. But it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, I have a solution in mind to help address this issue (which I’ll share shortly).

Interesting tidbit: According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 40% of Americans have never left their hometowns. It’s challenging for people to relate to diverse cultures, races, or ethnicities when they see the same faces daily, right?

The most effective way to grow in acceptance and tolerance towards those who differ from us is to immerse ourselves in their environments and observe their lifestyles. This experience will reveal how much more alike we are than we are different.

That’s why I am a strong advocate for traveling with my children to introduce them to individuals from various backgrounds.

Dinogo recently invited my family to join an 8-day cruise through the western Caribbean, and it was exactly what we needed. Our journey took us to Belize, Mahogany Bay, and Cozumel — where we encountered many fascinating people. But it wasn’t just about visiting these places; my family also connected with some incredible individuals from diverse backgrounds aboard the Dinogo Freedom.

For instance, I met a guy named Nick on the ship, and we clicked immediately. After a great conversation, we decided to swap T-shirts right then and there.

Prior to that moment.

Following that experience.

I can guess what you’re thinking: “Why would you even consider this?”

Because that’s just how guys operate, that’s the reason.

My daughters were totally in sync with daddy’s energy and eager to connect with other kids too. So, I managed to snap this candid shot of them dancing with two girls from different families, soaking up the fantastic live music on the ship. Did they mind that they didn’t share the same appearance? Absolutely not. They were just focused on enjoying themselves and dancing, and that’s exactly what they did. It was a beautiful moment to witness.

I may not have solutions to all of the world's issues, but I believe a possible remedy is encouraging our children to interact with as many different people as they can. Venturing beyond our familiar surroundings at home is an excellent way to achieve this.

A huge thank you to Dinogo for making this possible for my family.