Diversity

It is time in our history for us to begin looking at what’s going on around us and after critically assessing what course we are headed on, live in that history; moreover, it’s time we start doing something about it!

I received a lovely gift today: It’s on the Word Press homepage under ‘Family’ and entitled, ‘Jenni Catron: on life and leadership: Her latest post addresses what she refers to as ‘Standard Features.’ I was so refreshed after reading it and the multitude of comments she receives, that I needed just a bit of reflection time before attempting to continue on with this short series on “Lowering the Bar.”

Just one concept for today: Diversity

Diversity…what can we possibly say? Diversity is like wonderful things happening all the time. And we all know that feeling when too much a good thing can become ‘not-so-wonderful.’ Diversity is great; just having the availability of variety, assortment, and the mixture of various differences is an education in itself.

What would life be like without ethnic diversity? What do you mean, no ‘Kabobs?’ And for those who know what real Sushi is, how could one not enjoy it? Now I start thinking about soccer, turkey, and hamburgers and who could live without a bit of diversity?

In addition, there are other types of diversity as well. Just as we have a variety of opinion, colors, styles, foods, art, literature, there is another kind of diversity called ‘social diversity.’ I feel that it’s every bit as important to recognize ‘social inclusiveness’ represented by ethnic variety, socioeconomic and gender variety, even institutional and societal diversity.

America is a product of so many cultures working together for a common good which is the standard of living and quality of life on American soil. However, if we were to look at diversity as a part of the whole entity, much the way we look at a melting pot, cauldron, or human being it may resemble something like this:

Under a perfect temperature blend the ingredients until boiling, then lower the heat to a light simmer and wow…an aroma that causes stomach growling. Or if we were to compare the notion of diversity with human form we’d soon find out how interdependent our limbs, veins, and other parts are related to the whole.

Yet there is something extremely important to understand about diversity: Just as a person may lose a foot, or finger, or worse, the entire person continues to live. If we were to take some of the vegetables and seasoning out of the cauldron there would still be stew. Diversity is a good thing; however, if it becomes abused, it too must be removed.

 

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