Respect for Cultural Diversities

The ability to relate to and appreciate others and their diversities is key to our personal growth. One of the challenges I think we face when it comes to diversity is what exactly the term relates to. More often than not when diversity is discussed it is in the realm of racial or ethnic backgrounds. To limit the discussion on diversity to only this topic is to miss the bigger picture of all the cultural differences that can separate one from another.

No matter where I have lived or worked there is always something that creates diversity within the group. I grew up in a family that at times could be very discriminating on basis of race but would bend over backwards to help someone who lost their job or had a medical emergency. I worked in an organization that one person was ridiculed and ignored because they were gay yet one of the most respected and liked people was disabled. I live in a community that goes out of their way to help single parents but when a couple decide that the mom wants to not work to raise their kids they are seen as irresponsible.

Any group of people will have some level of diversity in it. Our responsibility is to have a level of respect for the diversity even if we can't or don't understand it. Relating to and attempting to understand those who are different from ourselves will give us the opportunity to grow and learn about other cultures, communities, families, businesses, etc. We will all be better for it.