Diversity: Dealing with our wounds

We live in the greatest country on the planet, the United States of America. Although it has it problems, it is still a land, in theory, that anyone from any walk of life, place of origin, color, creed, male, female, or faith could come and enjoy the rights and freedoms of democracy. Also through the philosophy of capitalism and/or hard work, an individual can achieve a fruitful and prosperous life, if one so choose.

One of the major components in our country that contributes to our success is our diversity. We have people from all over the globe that bring culture, new ideas, and innovations that flourish and have benefited us as a nation. Diversity, while being a beautiful thing, has been a source of racism and hatred. Being different for some has created class issues, race and economic controversies. These ideals have become generational and cultural. Rather than going over the numerous things that divide us, we should look toward the things that bring us together. I believe we must first acknowledge and accept that people have prejudices; that basically comes down to preferences. Consciously try to do away with the ignorance and simple minded mentalities that contribute to this. We must learn to embrace each other as not just a country but as a universal family, The American Family. In order to move forward from our past and sometime “present” racial and gender injustices, we must promote equality in all branches of society; the same measure of humanity for all people, without picking and choosing when to act or be just. We must not ignore the issues that have caused us pain and confusion. We must diagnose, discuss, and look for solutions and hopefully resolutions. It is the only way we can heal from generations of intolerance and discrimination.

For all people, the term diversity should mean positive differences. Again, because we are all apart of humanity.