The value of diversity

"Diversity: the art of thinking independently together."- Malcolm Forbes, Publisher Forbes Magazine

Over the weekend, I decided to go see the film, Trainwreck.  I wanted to support a film with a female lead, a female lead that wrote the film.  As a woman, I feel that it is important to do things our way as opposed to imitating the dominant culture.  I admire those who embrace their uniqueness.  If not how do we celebrate diversity if we all operate only as to what is socially acceptable.

Diversity is a strength, celebrating difference as well as common ground helps unite and educate each other.  Take a moment and reflect on the diversity we have all around us.  This is beauty and celebrate it however you are able.

In some ways, everyone celebrates diversity everyday.  We live our individual lives, right?  The thing is the richness of diversity lies in the exchange of ideas and experiences.  You honor your lifestyle and who you are when you share this with others.  Those of us who are already seen as different in society, have to make a choice to stay engaged in diversity.  At times, we get tired of validating our differences.  We have to choose to educate or educate another day.

The value in diversity is learning from differences while forming new modes of commonality.  This is on going as new persons are born into this world with their individual thoughts and beliefs every moment. There is always room to learn something new and learn from someone new. As the global landscape is more connected and smaller in measure, how will you manage difference?  Keep in mind, the way you may categorize someone, may not be the same way they categorize themselves.