Hope Through Diversity
Editor's Note: As a member of the Island Diversity Council, I have had the opportunity to speak with large groups of people in diversity forums and others just trying to raise healthy families. Over the years we have shared wonderful conversations. Through this article, it is my hope to introduce an important topic many have not given much thought to. It is my intention this article will spark conversation within your family and community groups.
Growing up it is the desire of most “just to fit in“. Whether this means becoming a member of “The” social group or a recognized member of a sports team, or a particular school club. As young people, we may not have wanted to be the most popular kid in school, but we certainly did not want to be the one viewed as “different”.
As adults, we learn to create comfortable environments, allowing us to surround ourselves with interesting and interested people. We join various groups and committees to further our personal interests and help us to continue to grow, with hope that the confidence gained through maturity and life experience will enhance who we have become as individuals.
For some of us starting our own families is the next step. We connect with a fellow human being, we share our experiences and we create new life. As parents, we are taught to protect our children, to shield them from abuse (emotional, physical, mental,…), and teach them the “acceptable” ways of the world with the hope of “just to fit in“.
For some these perfect scenarios at some point start to unravel. Sometimes it is a noticeable difference in appearance or speech and sometimes it is just the difference in which they view the world. Whatever the cause, they may now be considered “different”.
How do we handle these differences? How do we teach them to handle these differences.
Our society has developed very narrow definitions of key words and feelings like importance, success, acceptability. These definitions often play a large role in the development of self esteem and self confidence. “Why don't I fit in?, is there something wrong with me?” Our answer to this should be No, there is nothing wrong with you, you are just “different”. We are all different.
Your differences make you no less important to the world. Your self esteem, and your self confidence make you strong, your strengths make you unique. You are different.
Embracing the differences in ourselves can be the first steps to understanding the differences in others. Acceptance of those considered “different” can be the first steps to unity as a people. The importance of a united people lays the ground work to success far beyond personal aspiration, but to Hope.
Through diversity there is always Hope.
Kim Lawrence is a founding member of the Island Diversity Council. The Island Diversity Council is a wonderful group of people responsible for introducing topics of diversity to our Island's schools and the community through various presentations. One such presentation was the, Human Race Machine, which was brought to the Agricultural Fail in 2007. The Human Race Machine, gives viewers the opportunity to envision themselves as a different race. To learn more visit www.humanracemachine.com. Kim, has lived on the Island year round for the last 20 years, is the mother of a teenage son, and works as a Title Abstractor.
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