Читать книгу Hope’s Daughters - R. Wayne Willis - Страница 42

Diversity in some circles is a dirty word, especially when universities or churches make it the value that dominates all others.

The word stirs positive feelings in me whenever I pass a poster in the foyer of a local elementary school. This is how the poster defines the word: Different Individuals Valuing Each other Regardless of Skin Intellect Talents Years. How could people of good will not value diversity defined this way?

I particularly like the four differences the poster singles out not to be de-valued:

Skin. Please do not disparage me because of my extremely pale, sun-damaged skin. I had no control over the skin my parents’ English and Irish genes passed to me. And please do not be too critical of me for permanently damaging my skin with sunburns when I was young. I did it out of ignorance, just like those today who ignorantly are damaging their skin in tanning booths.

Intellect. Please do not discount me because of my IQ. Most of my intelligence quotient was determined before I was born. I am responsible only for how I play the finite hand I was dealt.

Talents. Please do not dismiss me for not having the skills of professional athletes or mathematicians, sales persons or politicians, electricians or mechanics, artists or musicians. My DNA did not equip me, constitutionally and temperamentally, for those particular skills.

Years. Please do not disregard me because I am old. Youth could use my experience and wisdom; youth has the vitality and idealism I have lost. We need each other. Together we halves can make a whole.

From Marcus Aurelius comes ancient wisdom on dissing others: “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact; everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” Maybe this is why the television show is named “The View” instead of “The Obvious.”