The children at our Montessori School loved “Whacky Sock Wednesday” and sat in a circle to celebrate their differences. The image was insightful beyond the obvious. I wish we could celebrate our cultural, ethnic, religious and choice differences in a similar way.
While diversity appreciation is the party line in all companies, discrimination is alive and well in this country and around the world. Unfortunately disguising the problem does not make it go away. Whether it is the brutal attacks on foreign students down under, or our own racial prejudices, the problem is part of our social fabric.
A few years ago I was invited to participate in a diversity panel at one of the largest financial institutions in this country. As I looked around the room, I realized that everyone in the room was of Asian, Hispanic or African American descent. The organizers were not particularly happy that I noted my observation and commented that getting a group of people of color together to discuss diversity felt more like a ‘pity party’ than a basis for initiating meaningful change. For the record, I was never invited back.
We teach our children at a young age that our differences should be celebrated everyday. They seem to take it in stride with very few questions, and even fewer biases. Maybe if we all adopt a similar philosophy our world be safer, more peaceful, and certainly more accepting. Amazing what one can learn from a pair of socks.
About Hemant Rustogi