How Diverse are We?

'Diversity' is one of the most masterful and ingenious words in the English language. It is often used to replace words such as: mixture, different, contrasting, opposing, conglomerate, unrelated, multiples, and divisions... all of which can have negative connotations along with the positive. Yet the word diversity has practically no negative connotation whatsoever! None, nil, zilch! It is the perfect word to use when attempting to show a group of contrasting elements as being positive instead of negative.

The most common usage of the word is when referring to differing people groups attempting to share space in the same territory. Though several thousand years of quarrels, battles, and cross-border skirmishes remind us of a very real part of who we are, none-the-less, we try our best to develop an attitude of viewing societal diversity as a good, positive thing instead of the irritation which our lower nature deceitfully whispers that it is. We try to be diverse while at the same time we also get unnoyed when confronted with some of the ramifications which are a natural part of it.

History shows that we can only put up with certain types of diversity for so long until we either separate them; water them down; or remove them completely. It really is no different now than in the past. The main difference is in the focus of what is allowed to be diverse, and what isn't. The western world has become quite adept at mixing cultures and various ethnic groups. We normally don't punish differing opinions, though we educate to encourage some far above others. We even allow a smorgasbord of religious beliefs... as long as none are too outspoken or extreme. We punish certain behaviors while giving full license to others, often using a hypocritical yardstick that's not actually based upon the reasons stated for doing so.

Not all of the world offers the same freedoms towards diversity... but the western world is trying our arrogant best to make sure those other nations do conform. We would like to dictate what those people can be diverse in, and what they can't. It is all part of the package referred to as 'globalization'. In order to be one big global village of 'everyone getting along' in our diverse ways, we must all meet up with what the western powers dictate on what is allowed. On the surface this seems like a good legitimate goal but lurking underneath is that same old asperation of one group dictating to another what they can or can't do. Some things never change... no matter how much we fool ourselves into believing they have.

So--- one thing we're learning about sociological diversity is that in order to make it work, you can't really be all that diverse in your beliefs or in your opinions. In the end you must conform; be silent; but you must not be truly diverse.