Embracing Our Differences 2010

Getting Down With Diversity
( )
“I used to think
anyone doing anything
weird was weird.
Now I know that it is
the people that call others
weird that are weird.”
– Paul McCartney,
Musician
Do you ever look at a stranger and immediately
make assumptions about what kind
of person they are? It’s human nature to be
curious about people we don’t know, but it’s another
thing to judge others based on their height,
weight or choice of clothing.
Celebrating diversity is about letting go of
preconceived notions in order to let in new possibilities
for camaraderie and self-fulfillment. Just
because you may not have the same skin color
as the person sitting at the desk across from you
doesn’t mean he or she couldn’t become your
next best friend.
After all, that’s what America is about. It’s the world’s melting pot, where immigrants have been coming for
centuries to escape persecution. Millions have settled in this liberating country since it was founded more than 300
years ago, and today, America is a mosaic of colors, dialects and creeds.
Some people live in waterfront mansions and some live in urban apartments. Many earn minimum wage while a
few have billions. Our addresses, bank accounts and business titles don’t define us. Let’s remember that we’re all
in this country to experience three essential things: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We all deserve those
same freedoms regardless of what we look like or how much money we make.
“What a Wonderful Bunch”
by Manjul Rathee, Manchester, England
As the world shrinks, integration amongst various cultures and people is inevitable.
We must rid ourselves of prejudices and eradicate cliches. My concept is
based on the very note of “simplicity.” The illustration uses a form of everyday
consumption – a bunch of grapes that just are – and draws out the relativity of
how humans of different sexes, ages, castes, creeds, colors, abilities and so-called
socioeconomic status are all part of the same species, sharing a common phenomenon
of life. Being “mixed race” reinforces my belief in this simple reminder
that together we all do, indeed, make a wonderful bunch.
The Golden Rule
Embracing Our Differences® asks you not just
to change your mind but also to start changing
your life. How can you inspire others to be more
open-minded? How have you been discriminated
against? How did it feel? Think about the
“Golden Rule” and what it means to you.
4 EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES
A Herald-Tribune Media Group Newspaper in Education Publication