Unity in Diversity
By Kelsey Holmes, Greenheart Club Program Assistant
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour.” — Maya Angelou, American author, poet, and civil rights activist.
What exactly is diversity? It seems that this word is everywhere; from college campuses to the workplace, people are talking about diversity more and more. As the world becomes more interconnected, it is evident that people from all walks of life need to work together. Diversity is exactly that – it is people of different races, religions, nationalities, and communities coming together for a singular purpose. Hear from these teens about what exactly diversity means to them:
Greenheart Club volunteers come from all over the world. Our participants come from different backgrounds, speak different languages, and bring different skills, knowledge and ideas to their volunteer work. Diversity is one of the most important elements of a community. Over the past month, we’ve highlighted why cultural appreciation and exchange is so important and have gone over ways to make the most of your cross cultural experience.
Recognizing and appreciating each other’s differences not only creates an environment that is inclusive to everyone, but it is one of the best ways for groups to think creatively and generate ideas for impactful living. Diversity allows us to recognize our differences as a good thing. Celebrating our different abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs is essential in understanding the world around us. Once you can view others with empathy (the ability to see things from another’s point of view) the opportunities that you will encounter will seem that much more attainable. Diversity is an important component of any group dynamic and there is even evidence that it makes us smarter.
Working together in a group that celebrates diversity is an invaluable experience. Being culturally aware enables you to see that people have different backgrounds, personal beliefs and values and recognizing this is not only an important part of cultural appreciation but of identifying the unique attributes of individuals around you that help shape your community. Greenheart Club’s strength lies in our diverse group of participants who recognize that the cross-cultural exchange of ideas is such an important part of today’s globalized world. Learning about those who are different from you in turn helps you to better understand your own culture and perspective.
Diversity really is the one true thing that we all have in common. How do you celebrate diversity in your community?