I had a dream recently. I dreamt I flew into space, whether dead or alive, I was not sure, but I do remember hurtling into the void at the speed of light. It was so beautiful -- the stars, the planets, especially the deep blue Earth covered with white streaks of clouds resembling sparkling marbles I used to play with at school. ...
Earth is a unique object in the universe. Still more unique is the creatures that inhabit it, especially humans. Humans are a rare species, perhaps not to be found within trillions of light years from Earth. We should strive to preserve it as best we can.
My heart bleeds when I read in your newspaper articles about people's penchant for killing one another, physically or mentally, for reasons that seem so petty, silly and stupid.
We talk of diversity. We even observe Diversity Day by holding seminars and lectures. Yet, when it comes to living together, the smiles wipe off our faces when we see a different-looking fellow human who happens to be born with a different color of skin, and into a different culture. Worse still is the hatred and intolerance for diverse beliefs, such as religion and politics and those who believe in a different god or leader, or worship God in a different manner, or those who do not even care to keep appearances, but believe or follow nevertheless.
Humans have been killing each other since the day when one man picked up a stick and drew a circle on the ground declaring, "This is mine." That was the mother of all wars.
It is wisely said, "The child is the father of man." How true, if we stop to ponder. Children make friends with fellow children out of genuine love and affection. In school and later in college, I had Christian friends, Jewish friends, Muslim friends, Hindu friends, Sikh friends -- friends of all colors and shapes. In fact, the thought of being different never occurred to us.
The importance of promoting diversity cannot be overstated if we want peace on this planet. Fortunately, a part of the world already has learned the lesson, albeit after several centuries of wars -- the European Union. The people of the United States need to learn from their children. They also need to remind themselves that the greatness of this country lies in its diversity of cultures. There is no such thing as a native American. For that realization, we need not only to be educated, but also learned.
Zia Rehman
Augusta
Diversity doesn't create strength; freeedom does. At the tower of Babel God created diversity because man had become too strong in total unity and being of one language etc. Diversity is the normal status of the world. The most diverse culture you can find will only do great things if they have freedom. Freedom made us great and diversity just happens. There is a restaurant on Washington rd that has no diversity yet the food and service are great. Diversity would not add to or take away from this establishment.
Good letter. The intolerance and hatred from the majority or perceived majority to others is astounding. For instance, people having been fighting over the inane concept of religious differences since the beginning of time, and it unfortunately will probably never end regardless of how many millions of people are killed in the name of one's personal beliefs know as religion.
Fighting over money, land, resources or a quantifiable and tangible substance is obviously wrong but somewhat understandable due to man's greedy physical desires. To fight against peaceful people over differences in ideology and personal beliefs and lifestyles that have absolutely no quantifiable effect on another person is utterly astounding. From Mayor Copenhaver's and Baptist ministers' protests over a Gay Pride Parade to the Pro-Lifers' murders and bombings of abortion performing doctors and their practices, the oppressive and violent and intolerant attitude shown by those with differing beliefs and lifestyles is just unfathomable.
"Hate" is such a loaded word. In fact, it's propaganda. What Rehman et al communicate is that if you have a set of doctrinal beliefs that you are unwavering in, you, by nature "hate" all other beliefs by not "embracing diversity". In their eyes, in order to be virtuous and good and righteous, you must accept all beliefs and be "open minded". My experience has been that those who are in this way self-appointed "open minded" individuals are extremely close-minded to what those of us with doctrinal beliefs actually believe and feel and want. They naively make assumptions about what we believe and accept their own assumptions as truth! They are so close-minded that they blindly, without hesitation label us as those who "hate" anyone who doesn't believe the same way we do, which is very narrow-minded and intended to instigate factions and true hatred. Furthermore Rehman writes, "Children make friends with fellow children out of genuine love and affection." Has she been to a K-12 classroom lately? Children are the most cruel, hateful human beings on earth. From a very young age they punch, kick, slap and call each other hateful and mean names. I disagree. Adults don't need to learn anything from their children, rather adults need to stop acting like children and get along.
Yes let's have diversity, those that practice female gentile mutilation should be allowed to practice thier diversity. Those that believe women should be stoned for adultery should be allowed to round up women to be stoned for adultery. Those that believe in polygamy should be allowed to practice polygamy. We can go on with pedophilia, besteality, human scarifice, canabalism,rape, etc..by no means have a standard or hate !!
We must have diversity in EVERYTHING. Diversity is always good in every aspect of life, regardless of qualifications. All races must be equally represented in the NBA, NFL, NHL, NASCAR, etc. -------------- Good lord, I'm so tired of being told that diversity is vital, yet no one can tell me why. If all of the qualified people happen to be of the same race, then that is what is good for that niche.
Zia, Thanks for your confession of racist, bigotted attitudes. However, the vast majority of folks in this nation have moved beyond all that. Yes, the European Union is a wonderful model of diversity - unfortunately, they all look alike - but they seem to be having some diversity issues with the Muslim brothers and sisters. Please check on that.
Obviously some of the posters here have already shown that they missed the point of diversity. That's okay, though, because they are not alone.
Diversity is not about promoting or helping black people. Diversity is about promoting and helping ALL people. The fact that someone is of a different color or age or gender or nationality, etc. should not matter at all if they have the qualifications necessary for whatever it is that needs to be done. When you exclude someone because they are in any way different, you do damage to us all.
Unfortunately, the Diversity movement got hijacked along the way. I'm not sure who hijacked it but it became an extension of Affirmative Action and EEO initiatives. That narrowed the focus and served to only dilute and defeat the ideals of Diversity. I have to admit that I cringe every time I hear the phrases "we need more diversity" or "it helps our diversity." These are just code for "we need more minorities."
I have hired and fireed for a long time now. I found time and time again that if you cast a wide net and just look at qualifications relative to the job, the racial or ethnic diversity will take care of itself.
I agree with the idea put forth by the LTE author. People who include hate as part of their doctrine, tradition or standard do immeasurable harm to all. That includes those who feel that "they are the only ones to get in" and strut that belief as a badge of honor. Just don't tie that philosophy to diversity, please.
Embrace diversity. We hear that a lot these days. Why do we need to emphasize our differences? It seems to me that it is not very logical thinking. I just don't relate well to differences. I relate more to similarities. If we are to remain a strong and united country, it would make a lot more sense to embrace our similarities and promote acceptance of our differences. Diversity alone divides a nation. It's similarities that bring us together.
orgpsych, Again I see you contradict yourself. I agree with much of your post but come to a totally different conclusion. I agree with soldout's understanding of diversity. You post of all things to do with inclusion and finish by singing the praises of diversity. Let's not encourage the differences of people (diversity) ,but instead, the similarities and commonalities (inclusion). For instance, when in America and doing business in America with Americans, speak the language of America and use the money of America and follow the laws of America. That's inclusion, where no nationality or color or race or religion is taken into consideration. In my business, actions speak louder than government allowances to encourage diversity. I, too, have hired and fired many times and those enamored with "diversity" never get to be fired by me, because they never get hired.
The truth be known, a nation divided is easier to control or trick (see our current president and congress). Our federal government, especially the left side of it, will continue to promote "diversity" for the usual reasons.
Since Obama's election and presidency HATE has risen and is still on the rise, I wonder why?
Actually, JC, my comments are not contradictory at all. they even bear some similarity to the views you expressed in your respondent post. I believe in the ideals of diversity in that we should embrace our differences as a source of strength leading to unity. We are all people; we are all employees; we are all citizens with common goals and needs. I disagree with the focus that has been attirbuted to the ideals by those who only see the differences as a way to divide us as a people.
Where we part in our views is the point where you specify that you have excluded those who are enamored with diversity. That suggeests that you would, and have, purposefully exclude someone who could do what you need to do simply because they are "different" and come across as supporting of embracing those differences.
You write "when in America and doing business in America with Americans, speak the language of America and use the money of America and follow the laws of America." I agree. However, those comments are about immigrants or foreigners. What about those who were born here? What about people who are of a different color, religion, ethnicity, and so on and are bona fide American citizens? Diversity is about embracing those differences, too (even if they are from the North). Truly, I get so tired of hearing "Grits? What is a grit?"
Runner says s/he relates more to similarities. I agree. Most people do. The problem is that so many focus on the differences in the name of "diversity" that those similarities (human being, local resident, citizen, employee, etc.) are often overlooked. Diversity should be about embracing the differences, not highlighting them.
Simply because you want to disagree with me doesn't mean that we are in disagreement. Our difference of opinion is a way for eahc of us to grow in our understanding of a great many things. That would make us stronger and is why free speech (interpreted as freedom of expression) is so essential to American democracy.
Notreally, maybe because you're not diverse enough and all you see is hate.
Notreally-you can add me to that list but,i don't hate him i don't hate anyone.i just have a very strong dislike for him,and don't give me that crap because he's black.
This LTE is nothing but the standard, parroted drivel of multiculturalism. When will people realize that there is no strength in diversity? Diversity only divides us. UNITY is our only hope. It is only when diversity is overcome that progress can occur. Contrary to the party line Zia, it is not hatred to disagree with someone. What you forget is this little thing called truth. It is a stubborn thing. Some things are right, and some things are wrong, and no amount of forced acceptance of "diversity" can change that. For over 200 years this country was built on people coming together as one and working together. We did not accept the "diversity" of slavery, and fought a war to preserve our unity and our belief that there is a right and there is as wrong. In WWII we refused to tolerate the "truth" of the Nazi's, and were united against a common evil --we used to use strong words like that, and it was not tolerated. Funny how that ever since "diversity" and "tolerance" have become the newest and greatest American ideals we all must accept, our country seems to be plunged in a downward spiral that no one seems to be able to stop. Maybe if we stopped celebrating our differences and came together as one (as we used to do), we'd regain our former greatness.
Orgpsych, I see a difference between diversity and inclusion. When diversity is used to cause a lack of harmony, I don't care where the diverse come from. If people, regardless of their origin, don't seem to embrace the American way, I exclude them as they exclude me. Diversity and tolerance vs. inclusion. A nation divided against itself ....
notreally, you can call it anything you want (you seem to like hate) but anyone that supports this president's agenda is an uninformed fool.
The "government social program" of Diversity is not about "coming together with a common cause". Diversity as defined by the "state" is used for Division. America became a great nation and a place for all to aspire as a home, because we were the "great melting pot". America "absorbed all cultures" and became "America". The "State" needs us to be a "cobb salad". They preach being a "cobb salad" because it helps them "control by division". "A house divided against itself cannot stand". Abe Lincoln. Absorbing and accepting all culture is a far cry for "embracing our differences". Mass "paranoia" by those who only want to see themselves as different and not a part of the whole may be to blame. I for one like MLK Jr.s view of all men being treated the same. We are the same in "God's Eyes. No diversity with God. I like His idea.
Seems to be a lot of the "If you don't look like me, worship like me, dress like me, think like me, believe like me,... I won't even accept you, much less embrace you." crowd in this area.
A black agenda, a gay agenda, a gang agenda, a WASP agenda, a Communist agenda, a Latino agenda, a fascist agenda, a progressive agenda, a female agenda, a male agenda, a child agenda, a Christian agenda, a Jewish agenda, a Muslim agenda, an atheist agenda........ Does this sounds like nation building? Confusion, chaos and anarchy. And their "father Satan" is the author of confusion.
Just filled out my 2010 Census Form. Where do I stays? What's up with that? More space devoted to "Latino/Spanish/Mexican questions that anything else. Could this be a sign of something to come? Now you don't have to define yourself as "Latino race", no that would be racist. The RACE QUESTION, that supposedly is not allowed in America is another section. The U.S. government is the greatest "race baiter" in the world, bar none.
When humans forgot what LOVE was, they also forgot what constitutes HATE. "Sticks and stones" does apply anymore. Thin skin, heck no skin. Maybe we should all do the "convict things and have LOVE and HATE "tats' on our fingers.
Again, HATE has increased across the land (most of you know it), since Obama's became president, stop fooling yourselves.
notreally is a good posting name for you, that way, you let everyone know that they cant really believe what you say before they read it
Hate has increased across the land since President Obama was elected. Another campaign promise broken. We need someone who can unite the country again.
It would take a book to fully describe my response to Zia's LTE. Her letter is a classic example of the dangers of moral relativism. Some of her statements are undoubtedly true, e.g. humans are unique, racism is irrational, hate is counter productive. IMO she draws wrong conclusions by applying her relativism, e.g. if all races are equal, then all religions or ethnic traditions are equal in value. That is simply not true. My faith tradition teaches that one of God's greatest gifts to humans is free will. That gift, when abused, leads to selfishness and pride. The result of this abuse leads to some of the wrongs Zia describes, like hatred, intolerance and wars. Idealists like Zia take the easy path by rejecting the selfishness and pride, but humans cannot enjoy free will without the possibility of its abuse. In America we have an experiment in free will, in individual freedom. There will be abuses because some humans replace individual initiative and ambition with selfishness and pride. Like other moral relativists, Zia discards the admirable qualities of independence, initiative, and ambition along with the selfishness and pride. I lived in the European Union for six years and can assure Zia that life in the USA far exceeds that in the EU.
Diversity is not something to be embraced; diversity is something that must be overcome. Our nation will only recover when we work together to achieve unity, despite all our diversity.
It is not he fact that Obama is black, he could have been of American Indian descent, East Indian descent, Polish, Chinese,Mexican or British. What he is proposing, and intends to propose for America would be met with oppostion no matter what his race.
Funny most of you know it has since Obama been president, never in such a time has it ever increased, and most of you know it. Some of you fall right in line with what's being spewed, yeah you say it's not him, it's his policies etc, but get real. What private thoughts you have and or say about him when you are around people who look like you, don't fool yourselves. I bet most of you get daily private hate filled racist emails about him. How's that hopey changey going for ya.
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