Officially, it ends today.

But the themes explored throughout Unity Week, the five-day centerpiece of Undergraduate Student Government's diversity education programs, should be the focus of all our lives every day for years to come.

Unity Week, without question, was a success.

Organizers could have put together cookie-cutter programs that explored little and still patted themselves on the back for trying. But USG's Unity Week went beyond the obvious and dealt with issues of discrimination that are not obvious on first glance.

One forum explored environmental racism, or the targeting of minority communities for toxic waste dumps. Another forum told students the options they have after a sexual assault, from emergency contraception to legal aid.

Still another discussion examined the issues interracial couples face and the discrimination they feel from others. And one forum explored U.S. policies toward conflict.

All of these forums should be applauded.

Racism. Sexism. Homophobia. Zenophobia. Unity Week attacked all forms of discrimination and proved its worth by digging beyond the surface for all issues.

By reaching out to so many different groups, USG showed consideration and serious concern for all minority groups. At the same time, USG reminded everyone in the Penn State community that only through celebrating diversity and not discriminating against some individuals or groups can unity truly be achieved.

But no one can relax and forget Unity Week's teachings just because the program is over — especially in light of the September 11 attacks.

We need to remember that all terrorists aren't Arabic. We need to remember that different groups deal with tragedies in different ways. And we need to remember that all religions should be shown respect at all times.

And we should continue to fight discrimination on the behalf of all groups. Regardless of political affiliation, we should all agree that discrimination in any environment is wrong.

Next time someone tells a homophobic or racist joke, don't laugh. And don't just stop there. Remind people that a joke like that isn't funny. No amount of wit makes a gag about someone's skin color or sexual orientation humorous. Stand up for the rights of others. And the next time a sexual assault occurs, show consideration for the victim and, before throwing around blame, remember that only the victim truly knows what happened.

So keep fighting discrimination, keep battling discrimination and make Unity Week continue.

No matter your color or sex or religion or sexual orientation, you have a duty as an American and a member of this community to make Penn State a diverse, safe and ultimately unified environment.