The world is changing rapidly, and I believe ultimately for the better. On one hand, America seems more divided than it has been since the years leading up to the civil war. Yet, from my personal experiences, as well as anecdotally, more of us are more accepting of racial differences; and engage in interracial, multiethnic, and LGBTQ+ relations and marriages in America. And, we are in general, more accepting of individuals determining their own gender identity.
We’ve Become More Open to Learning to Live Together
Although institutional racism is alive and well – among the sub-populations of Americans- we are more and more open to learning to live together and learn about each other. The fact of the matter is that according to the 2020 census, of the three hundred and thirty two million people in America, people of two or more races, grew by nearly 25 million people since the 2010 census. Additionally, according to a February 2022 Gallup Poll, 7.1% of American adults identify as LGBTQ, this is up from 3.5% in a 2012 poll.
The Notion of White Supremacy Hurts Everyone
I think that those in our society who cling to notions of white supremacy, gender bias and other ideas that marginalize people as ‘others’ do themselves as much harm as the people that they are marginalizing.
Once we can get past the learned racism and implicit biases that society has taught us, and admittedly this is hard to do, we can become more open and curious about others; whether a race of people, an ethnicity or an individual.
We Have to Be the Change We Want to See
To work effectively as an agency of change in a pluralistic society, I find that I must be able to connect with people different from myself; always believing that the encounter will be positive.
When we find, or make the time to observe and listen to each other, we each have our own gifts and talents that can lend to the whole. One of the things that I find so fascinating about the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work that I do, is learning about the uniqueness of each of us. As I share the history, culture, traditions, and values of African- Americans and other BIPOC, I have learned so much about the cultures, traditions and values of others.
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