We all possess the instinct to mistrust or feel fearful of those who look different, observe unfamiliar cultural practices or submit to unfamiliar religious teachings.
Just as it is natural to be curious about these differences, it is also natural to be a little afraid.
Increased familiarity decreases both curiosity and fear, to the point that young kids growing up in multicultural environments and going to multicultural schools (as I did) find their parents curiosity a bit boring, and aren't afraid.
Once you grow up however, regardless of your background, you make conscious choices as a mature intelligent adult.
And the fundamental choice is:
Either - listen to the instinct tht means you have an irrational fear of spiders, toothpicks, milk, homosexuals, other races ... etc ... etc ...
Or - consciously decide to discriminate on intelligent grounds.
Or in other words, like an evolved human being.
I understand that to discriminate on grounds of what clothes people wear, or how ugly or pretty they are, or how fat or thin they are, or what race they are, is irrational and is less likely to be of practical use to me than intelligent considered discrimination based on individual character. (character not characteristics)
I am also able to see out of my box and I understand that to discriminate on irrational grounds is not only impractical for me but it is also cruel and damaging to the lives of others who, as unfamiliar as they are, I credit with as much right to human rights as I have.