The reality is that thorough an exploration of black culture you can not only learn about the world around you, but you may also discover a few things about yourself. This discovery may take weeks, months and even years of continually exploring the complexities of black culture.

When I say black culture, I am referring to a vast body of knowledge, packed with emotion, spirituality, intellectualism, creativity and too many other elements to think of, let alone list. The boundaries of black culture are blurry, and the depth is unfathomable. This is one reason why learning about black culture is a life-long process. Another reason why this learning process is often difficult is that once one embarks on such a journey into the world and into one's self, he or she must continually examine how he or she fits into the big picture. This can be a very difficult task -- especially if one uncovers ugly realities about oneself.

Face it, most people do not believe that they hold racist views. They think of themselves as "pro-diversity" and "anti-discrimination." Yet, racism is embedded in everyday lives. For example, have you ever wondered why angel food cake is white and devil's food cake is brown? This is just a tiny and arguably insignificant point, but the truth is that we all hold negative stereotypes about groups of people that have been beaten into our minds by television, the movies and the nightly news.

These beliefs become so ingrained into our everyday existence that they become difficult to identify -- that is, until you really take a close look.

Once you identify these negative beliefs, it is possible to combat them. You should not feel guilty or beat yourself up. Instead, celebrate the learning process and continue to grow both intellectually and emotionally. You may discover that your mind feels a bit clearer, allowing you to analyze issues of race without you emotions clouding your views.

Getting started on this journey is as simple as choosing a different author for you nighttime reading or changing the radio station on your commute home from work or school. What follows is a brief list of things that may help you begin to discover how rewarding it can be to educate yourself about black history and culture. Some of the things are small and rather simple, while others will require a little bit more of a commitment.

First of all, why not check out novels by black authors? For example, if you have never read the work of authors such as Toni Morrison or Richard Wright, you are missing out on some very powerful and suspenseful writing that has a lot to teach us about American history.

Another simple thing to do is to start listening to the music of black artists. Did you know that it is possible to trace African-American history though an exploration of music? From the very first spirituals to the blues to hip-hop, music is loaded with information about the roots of America's culture. Don't forget to listen with an open mind and seek out hidden meanings; otherwise, you run the risk of missing some of the most moving elements of this art form.

A third thing you might want to try is visiting the Palmer Museum of Art. From now until June 27, you can view "Five Decades of Drawings" by the acclaimed visual artist John Biggers. In addition to wandering through the gallery you may also want to attend the lecture series, gallery talk or film that focus on the work of Biggers. These opportunities, hosted by the Palmer Museum, will assist you in understanding the complexities of his work.

Finally, you could register for a class that focuses on black history and culture in America and around the world. It is essential that all Americans understand the roots of racism so that we may continue to combat it.

Clearly, there is a tremendous amount of work that must be done to significantly reduce racism in America. However, as we learn about black history and discover the many ways in which black culture enhances our lives, we will gain the knowledge necessary to challenge racist and discriminatory institutions and practices. We will come closer to becoming a nation "with liberty and justice for all."