Most of us would disagree with this statement. But this is exactly what the upper echelon wants…confusion and disagreement. (The upper echelon being the filthy rich and powerful in this world)
For most of us, the term diversity almost immediately conjures up visions of people, but not just people, different-looking people…people of different races. All this does is focus on race. And the term “race” is one of the most socially-constructed, loaded terms in the world…and especially in the U.S.
These are all forms of newspeak that are meant to point out differences based on physical appearance. It’s meant to keep you judging people based on what they look like. Instead of coming together and really understanding and celebrating culture, we are dividing and separating ourselves from one another by pointing out differences and calling non-white people minorities…even if they are in fact NOT the minority. Minority is another great newspeak term that is meant to diminish the non-white individuals of the world. It’s saying that because you are different, you are inferior. Look at the words themselves…
The word majority insinuates power while minority insinuates just the opposite, inferiority. And the more the “majority” can keep the minority divided and fighting amongst themselves, the majority will strive even more. It’s essentially labeling people based merely on looks. It’s racial profiling. And it’s been woven into the fabric of our society for a long time. The census is a great example.
And while it is illegal to discriminate someone based on race, it’s happening to us all the time…and most of us don’t even realize it!
It’s time we transition the conversation from diversity to culture. America is not a “melting pot,” rather it is a quilt of cultures (a cultural mosaic)…each patch having its own identity and meaning, contributing to the quilt as a whole. Understanding and comprehending different cultures is the next big step to take.
We really need to get past the differences of diversity, and onto a new level of understanding culture. While diversity is exclusive, culture is inclusive. It is this approach of inclusiveness and understanding that we as a people need to take. There are so many different types of culture, not just in the U.S., but throughout the world. And with the proliferation of technology and the internet, cultures are crossing one another more and more everyday. The culture lines are blurring more and more, and they aren’t limited to race.
Diversity is dead. Culture is alive.
