OUR VIEW: Kinky? That's cool.

Black or white, gay or straight, Jewish or Muslim, across the country people are persecuted daily for being themselves.

The most recent data available from the FBI indicate from 2003 to 2007, almost 45,900 people have been the victims of hate crimes.

We're in the first week of Black History Month.

We live in a country where No Name Calling Week exists - it began Jan. 26.

We have to be reminded to be nice to each other, and, frankly, there's something wrong with that.

A group has formed on Ball State University's campus with the goal of promoting the safe practice and awareness of BDSM.

There should be no safer place for this group than on a university's campus. While here, students should try to learn and expand their horizons.

However, you can never be too sure about how diversity and new things will be handled by mass audiences.

Before judging members of the Kinky Cardinals, take a moment to think about characteristics of yourself that might throw others off.

Perhaps you think the death penalty is a wonderful thing.

Perhaps you love sleeping naked.

Maybe you just don't really care for democracy and would prefer anarchy.

Whatever it may be, most people have one or two traits that set them apart from the crowd.

The members of Kinky Cardinals are no different.

You could be sitting next to a group member at this very moment and not know it - believe it or not they don't wear scarlet letters on their jackets.

Thus far, the group has been able to get along happily and begin to foster its own community of like-minded people.

Those interested in joining and learning are welcome, and the group is filling a former void in campus organizations.

While you may not agree with what the Kinky Cardinals like to do in the bedroom, there's no need to close your mind to your peers.

Open-mindedness and tolerance are key to college campuses that try to promote diversity.

Ball State strives to be diverse, and this is a perfect opportunity for the students on that campus to prove we actually believe it.

Diversity is about more than race and religion. It's about being different: We should embrace differences and learn from each other.

AT ISSUE: Accept those who do not subscribe to the same viewpoints, ideals as yourself