Diversity Without Unity is Self-defeating

Next year is going to be a challenge, as I have agreed to be a facilitator of the diversity modules in the business office. I've just come out of our 2nd module for this year, disagreeing with a premise pronounced in the class. The statement was made that culture is "how we think and act differently." I completely disagree. A culture cannot be defined except by how we are alike. If each of us does our own thing, and purposely differ from everyone else, (which is actually impossible because we are all alike in that we are human), we would have no culture because there would be no similarities. It would only be a bunch of individuals. If we say America is a diverse culture, it is only because we are first Americans, citizens of one country, and in so being, have certain similarities, at least in knowledge; then we can then speak of differences. Someone pointed out in the class that there is an American culture and a Chinese culture, and they are different. I agree. My point is they are not the same culture; that is why we differentiate one as American and one as Chinese. And we are not talking just about difference of race; that is a mistake often made in public debate. Adults know there are many differences between the cultures of West and East. If we speak of humanity, then, again, we are speaking of our similarities. I find the stress on diversity somewhat self-defeating; if it is to build better race and cultural relations, why do we not speak of how we are alike, rather than dwell on differences? By dwelling on the differences we are, I think , building walls.

I come from an arts background, where people do try to be different from everyone else, where most, even including myself, try to build a culture of one. Only a month or so ago I wrote on the subject of we can choose our own cultures, and build a culture of one. There is truth in that. But it comes dangerously close to saying that I need not have any part in society. Believe me, I value differences in people. I like to think everyone is capable of becoming other than run of the mill, or, in other words, pulp. But my background shows me how it can be difficult to build a society of people who are like minded in wanting to repel themselves from everyone else. The reason I can say it was a culture is because we all valued individuality, and the arts. And it was knowledge and experience in the arts that brought us together. We could respect each other’s art, even if we disagreed. From that experience I know that the similarities need to be emphasized first, then we can speak of differences, and teach each other the value we have on our differences. If we speak of the value we have in our own idiosyncrasies, then others may learn the value of it. If I set myself apart from everyone else, which I have done at times purposely, at times quite unintentionally, others will often see it as I set myself above them. For instance, I knew a student in a lit class that always wore purple, every day. No doubt some made fun of him, and in general, people were leery of him, at least hesitant to approach him. But someone in class asked him why. He explained that the color had spiritual meaning. I wish he had more time to explain before class. The person who asked him showed courage. The curious didn't necessarily judge him for the difference, but certainly noticed it, and asked, sincerely, why he had this particular way of dressing.

In this class, in which I will be given a rather short text to use for the 30 minute session, I will add stories of other cultural approaches. Just the knowledge will compel people to try to relate it to what they already know. The class is for healthcare workers and office staff, so it would be best that I use examples of how other cultures treat the same issue, such as healthcare, or health insurance, etc. If you would have examples or stories yourself, I would like to know them. Please comment on this blog or e-mail me. Thanks for reading.