There is a power found in celebrating our differences: the different ways we each see the world, the differences in how we perceive, feel, and understand the world. We are all so wonderfully human, and in the diversity of culture, points of view, similarities and differences, we sometimes forget to celebrate what makes us so human: our common ground of differences, along with our many shared values underlying those differences.
Our diversity is indeed our power, our strength, and source of inspiration. In seeing the world from different perspectives, we can learn so much about approaching situations, projects, and problems, from directions we may not have considered ourselves. By asking others, we are able to learn from their perspectives, and our approach is enriched with additional perspective and support.
In celebrating differences between cultures, it allows us to learn more about others' perspectives and how shared values of community, family, connection, and love are expressed differently. We also gain the opportunity to experience different foods, celebrations, and cultural perspectives: learning about new celebrations around the world and participating, should we choose. We have opportunities to learn from traditional practices, for instance birth ceremonies, living more aligned with the natural world, and celebrations of life and death. Mainstream society tends to be an uncomfortable arena for discussing death, dying, and grief; however, there are many cultures where the rituals and ceremonies around all life transitions are community and connection-oriented, offering support and direction for how people are able to express their needs and receive support within their communities. This is a tremendous source of support and caring.
Diversity enriches our lives, broadens our worldviews, and supports and encourages innovation. When cultural differences are valued and celebrated it can lead to greater empathy, understanding and cooperation. When they are not, we miss out on all the richness that different perspectives bring, leading to a more limited and homogeneous way of thinking. This can stifle creativity, perpetuate stereotypes, and create divisions within communities. Embracing diversity, on the other hand, not only fosters a more inclusive society but also enhances our ability to solve complex problems by drawing on a wide range of experiences and insights. Without this diversity, we risk becoming insular, missing the opportunity to grow and learn from each other. We have just seen the unifying power of diversity at the Olympics and the Paralympics; athletes gathering from all over the world and many different cultures and backgrounds competing and cheering each other on, as each recognizes the hard work and dedication each athlete has made to their sport. In overcoming stereotypes and prejudices, we have seen the North and South Korean athletes posing together for pictures, wanting to connect with each other, learn more and bond in their shared love of sport at a world-class level. And in the everyday, we have opportunities to enjoy different cultures through sampling food at ethnic restaurants, visiting specialty grocery stores, and engaging with recipes and ingredients that allow us to learn more about our differences and celebrate them, through the medium of food. Food can feel like a particularly accessible way to connect with the diversity of cultures and peoples because we can try small bites from the comforts of our known, familiar life.
I encourage you, as we move into September, a month that is the beginning of so many things, to look around you and consider the diversity of life and living, to explore and consider the diversity that makes our lives so rich, and our differences so meaningful.
Erin Williams, MA RCC
Walmsley EFAP