People who live in more racially diverse neighborhoods are more likely to help friends, neighbors, and strangers finds the research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. In the first of the five experiments, the researchers analyzed more than 60 million tweets and found that people in more racially diverse metropolitan areas in the United States were more likely to tweet pro-social concepts like helpfulness and charity. The researchers also analyzed a list of volunteers compiled by the Boston Globe website after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and found that people in more racially diverse neighborhoods were more likely to offer to house or otherwise help strangers stranded by the bombings. And in an online study, the researchers surveyed more 500 U.S. participants and found that people living in more racially diverse neighborhoods were more likely to say that they identify with all of humanity and were more likely to have helped a stranger in the past month.

I believe this research goes to the heart of why Houston experienced a great deal of neighborly love during Hurricane Harvey since Houston is the most diverse city in the nation. It is important to live in diverse communities for many reasons! We also find that diversity decreases fear about other’s race. While on the topic, please take your loved ones to see “Wont you be my neighbor,” a documentary about Mr. Rogers. It is a dose of love, hope, happiness and inspiration in a time when it is needed the most!

Hope you are all having a beautiful, loving summer! Help a stranger or your neighbor this summer!

Susie Bean Gives