Diversity

There has been much effort expended recently in an attempt to educate Cleveland citizens to the benefits of the new social engineering theory called diversity. Diversity and tolerance has been heralded as a panacea to alleviate all social problems associated with ethnicity. Racial tension can be a difficult nut to crack so local religious, business and political leaders embrace diversity as a way to solve what is essentially a trait of human nature without addressing fundamentals. They are trying to use it as a shortcut to social utopia.

I think it is a mistake to attempt to coerce the indigenous population into believing that everyone else's culture should be embraced before one's own. Diversity swings in both directions usually with the newcomer accepting the host's traditions or at least trying to fit in.

I believe it is natural for groups of immigrants to band together for support. This has happened throughout the world with every ethnic group and there is nothing wrong with that. It would be nice if it wasn't so, but I think it is the truth. Diversity is an idyllic state, but it can only be achieved with the willing cooperation of everyone involved. Diversity cannot be forced on one group because force defeats the object. People cannot be coerced into accepting diversity for the public good when the public doesn't want it. People cannot be shamed into accepting diversity when they feel no shame in protecting their own culture. Diversity must be embraced by all parties unconditionally for it to work and quite frankly, it is not being embraced, by any ethnic group. It goes against human nature. We feel comfortable amongst our own kind, with our own customs. Cultures always separate to some extent. It is the natural way. The people in Cleveland that are pushing diversity seem to be confusing customs with racial tension. Attempting to indoctrinate through public forums and in our schools is unlikely to bring people together. It is probable that it will offend and create rifts that hinder acceptance.

I am an immigrant from England. My attraction to this United States was for the uniqueness of its personal freedoms. To me as a newcomer, America was a wondrous place and the last thing I wanted was for it to resemble England. Admittedly, I did not like everything about it, some things like open racial prejudice, by both black and white made me uncomfortable, just as racial prejudice in England did. But I was a guest in this country so it was for me to adapt to my adopted country's customs, not the other way around. After more than 25 years here, my family still honors a few British customs, but they are almost totally assimilated into American culture. Retaining my British heritage is important but pales in importance to embracing the American way. No one in this country tried to force me to accept American culture or give up my British heritage. No one tried to shame me or coerce me into being anything other than who I was, and wanted to be. I am now an American, period. That is what America is about. That is true diversity. A natural acceptance, or a natural rejection. True diversity without guilt or force.

If my neighbor dislikes Chinese people, the French or English people, it is his choice. If he prefers to be in the company of Africans or Australians, that is his choice as an American and I respect that. However, Cleveland's leaders have other plans for my neighbor. They believe forced or coerced diversity, with the added shame of being labeled a racist if he doesn't embrace it, will convince him to forgo his personal nature and customs for what they believe is the common good. They believe it will make America and Cleveland a better place. They are dictating their social ideas on the rest of us and that is un-American.

What is wrong with making Cleveland a better place by having those who settle here naturally assimilate to become American and embrace Cleveland's culture? It worked for me and my family.

That's what I think. What do you think?


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