By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Monday, January 16 was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was a time to celebrate, remember, and choose to always practice diversity. Some days we are good at spreading our wings and making friends with those different from us, and some days we are not. And the varying reasons we do or don’t are common to all of us.
I believe there are three ways to help us honor and respect those who don’t look, act, think, or worship as we do. God made each of us according to a perfect plan. That means you and me.
- Accept who we are by ignoring race, sex, socioeconomic status, culture, and whatever else separates us. We all have beauty and flaws, victories and heartache, so why not embrace those things in ourselves and others?
- Respect each person’s gift to mankind, those treasures are to be used for the betterment of others. Jealously, greed, and strife happen when we refuse to see the good in others.
- Choose to make friends with people who don’t resemble what we see each morning in the mirror. In doing so, we can learn how that person views life and their surroundings. Unity doesn’t mean we’re the same; it means we are united in purpose.
Remove the fear of the unknown and welcome cultural contrasts. Understand others may feel the same about us! The miracle of our world is none of us are alike, and we have so much to learn from each other. When we surround ourselves with people who have much to offer, we are encouraged to love, appreciate, support, value, and respect those traits which make us all contributing members of this world.
How will you choose to celebrate diversity year around?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
Martin Luther King Jr led the march for racial acceptance. How can you show diversity to your patrons?
