Diversity isn’t only relegated to race. There is a lack of tolerance for diversity of thought. People are willing to compromise their integrity and religious beliefs to ensure that their policies and views are in place. Dr. Christopher J. Metzler says “Children don't come with instructions, but they do come with open minds. Much of what they learn about respecting differences comes from their parents.” It’s imperative that we help our kids understand that having a difference of opinion from someone else is okay. It becomes detrimental when those differences of opinion stem from racism.
Watching my kids grow up with so many kids that are different from them has been nothing short of amazing. They’ve experienced and learned much more about diversity than I had at their age. I don’t expect every parent to have the same mindset as I do when it comes to exposing their children to different cultures. But if we truly want to make the world a better place for our kids, it’s clear that we need to get our act together. Stop the hatred. Stop the vitriol. Stop the hurtful rhetoric. Let’s be a better example for our little ones. Race towards love instead of hate.
This excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech continues to resonate with me. I hope it’s a reminder of where we came from and how far we still need to go.