Remember in early elementary school when you had the exercise that showed four items, three of which were easy to see related to each other and one was clearly different and the directions were to circle the one that does not belong?
The sad point is folks seemed to have learned that lesson too well.
We divide and wall ourselves off from each other on racial, economic, and religious categories.
In my old age, I have come to realize that we are much stronger and much more whole when we are at our most diverse. There is great benefit to being with different types of folks --- you learn more, have your edges softened, receive a deeper insight, and come to appreciate that you and your views are not the center of the universe.
On this day after the second inauguration of President Obama, I am reminded that the great democratic experiment of America is the continued extension of rights until all are afforded them. The president's great line from yesterday's speech -- "From Seneca Falls to Selma to Stonewall" --- highlighted this fact beautifully.
Let us work on drawing our cirlces wide.
sj;
Powerful stuff. You know, all too often in life, we are afraid of people who are different from us. We are afraid of experiences outside of what we've already done in life. I have to admit, sometimes I am taken aback when someone or something is different. I have to pause. But when I pause and give a new person or experience a chance, it's usually great. I grow which is a good thing. Thanks for the great words and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteThanks Blog Fan for sharing and for an honest expression that differences can be unsettling, yet, in diversity we find the real strength of community.
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