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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Embracing Our Diversity



The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect.
It means understanding that each individual is unique,
and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along
the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs,
political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration
of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.
It is about understanding each other and moving beyond
simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the
rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

It appears that in America, we are finally gravitating towards a "cohabitation" of sorts that I'm finally beginning to feel comfortable with. I really hope we continue this progress until we reach a point where we ALL feel free to be ourselves. I hope and pray we really do become a "Free Zone". Some may find this to be a "Pollyanna" outlook but when you look at how far we've come...it's not so far fetched. We once lived in an era where Women and Blacks were not allowed to vote. Slavery and the cruelty that went with it was not only condoned but encouraged. Millions of Jews were murdered simply for their race and/or beliefs. Gays were forced to hide in obscure, dark places in order to be together. There was no such thing as Higher Education for the Poor. People with mental illnesses were put away and forced to live in inhumane conditions for the remainder of their lives. The list of crimes against humanity went on and on.

Today, we all have certain inalienable rights that protect us from such unfairness and cruelty. I don't know about you...but it looks like we've come a long way, I call that Progress.

We should give credit where it is due. Take a look at who's in the White House...that says alot.

I pray that we continue to speak out against injustice, racism and discrimination and embrace not only what makes us different but what makes us the same........Humanity!!!

4 comments:

  1. Rudy its the way we raise out children..if they see negative things and us as parents do not explain...they grow up thinking it ok to feel a certain way about Gays,, white people,, etc...we need to raise our children to have a mind of their own and if they feel something is wrong speak up..be respectful/be cautious..but SPEAK UP.

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  2. I think overall things are going in the right direction. We've got a long ways to go in terms acceptance, but I think we'll get there the more we spread the right philosophies.

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  3. As always Rudy I enjoy hearing "your point of views". Yes America has come a long way and still have a long way to go. Change must come for the better. We must see others first as humans, and as a fellow human beings, show love and respect. The world is made up of differences as you pointed out, that only makes meeting another more interesting. I have lived to see history in the making(President Obama-to name one) and I hope to see other positive changes I can be proud of as a human, and even as a BLACK CARIBBEAN living in America. Making that last statement brings me back to the 5th grade, and my negative experiences as a new comer to America(because of my culture), America is more accepting of Caribbeans now and for me that's another positive change I've witnessed. Keep the views coming and as always Live Love Laugh

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