Diversity. Tolerance. Acceptance. Equality.
I hear these words way too many times on a daily basis. Yes, we live in America where all these things should be present in all situations. But don’t you think that America has taken it a little too far? Is it really necessary to have classes that spend a majority of the time discussing the importance of diversity in this country? America is the melting pot; we are a very diverse people. It is unusual for an individual to say they are one ethnicity. Most of us have grandparents who aren’t even one ethnicity. I have one grandfather who was full blooded Polish, but the rest of my parents’ parents were a mixture of cultures. My mom’s mother wasn’t even born in continental US, yet she is still a mix. This being the case, it seems ridiculous to say that we as Americans need to focus on diversity. If I want to examine diversity I can simply examine my family, or really, myself. I can count on two hands the number of minority backgrounds which make up my family tree. I would consider myself a “diverse” person; I have been thought by different groups of people to be White (or to be more politically correct, European-American), Chinese (Asian-American), Indian (Native American), Black (African-American), and Mexican (Hispanic-American). It is evident by this, that through my manner of dress, my habitual actions, my speech, and my physical appearance, I am categorized in a very diverse way. But wait, let’s go back to that last one – physical appearance. Doesn’t that also count as racism? Hmm.
Moving along, let’s look at other means of diversity, not just race and ethnicity. Religion. Oh yes. We all learned in elementary school that the Pilgrims came to the New World for religious freedom (after which, they proceeded to wipe out the Native population, but that is best left for another time). How excellent then that we are so religiously diverse in America today. But is it really necessary to kowtow to the stringent needs of random religions?
Before I say anything else, let me throw out my simple opinion: this nation under God was founded on the principles of Christianity. For this reason, the Ten Commandments used to be prominently placed throughout the nation (and even if you’re not a Christian, I don’t know why someone would have a problem with them considering they’re pretty basic moral concepts) and prayer was a common part of the school day, sporting events, and public meetings.
Putting all that aside, I think it is evident that our great nation has moved away from “religious freedom.” Webster’s definition of freedom: <the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action> My interpretation: <no person in this country is FORCED to have a specific religion, or any religion at all, and they are not punished for a particular belief>. What we now have in America is “religious partiality for minorities and insensitivity for majorities”. Yes, that is a little different than “religious freedom.” Whatever happened to the separation of church and state? If we’re going to take out prayer from schools, “under God” in the pledge, and the Ten Commandments on pillars, then we sure as hell better avoid the subject of religion in the public education sector.
I am personally tired of hearing how America mistreats minority religions such as, oh, say the Muslims. Is it fair to say that all Muslims are terrorists? Probably not. Is it true that the book upon which they base their beliefs encourages jihad, war, and disgusting chauvinism? Absolutely.
I was recently condemned (in a college class of all places, um hello, remember separation of church and state? Apparently my Prof doesn’t) for my fear of flying on a plane with a group of Muslim men. Call me prejudiced, but doesn’t it seem odd that the last time that happened, 1000s of innocent Americans were killed? I certainly apologize if I do not wish that to happen to me. Now, let me also say that I do know Muslims with whom I have no problems. Again, it is ridiculous and ignorant to say that all Muslims are bad people with bombs; my point here is simply that operative conditioning states that humans learn from experience. And my experience states Muslims+plane=bombs+death. So, America’s “religious freedom” has become “religious partiality for minorities and insensitivity for majorities” right? Ok time for another example. In a college of class of 14 Catholics and Christians, only one person (who may have possibly been myself) said they had ever been religiously persecuted, but agreed that people of other religions are often persecuted. That’s interesting, because the only Muslim slurs I have ever heard came from middle school boys who had only ignorant echoes to report. Christian slurs, on the other hand, I have heard much more often. Is this because I am more sensitive to someone making fun on my beliefs? Maybe. Or maybe it’s because people are scared to make derogatory comments to or about Muslims because they don’t want to be labeled a racist. Maybe it’s because most Christians and Catholics are not sensitive enough to religious persecution because they live in a nation backed by the second amendment. Well, honey, let me tell you, times are a-changin’ and perhaps we should all be more sensitive. There is a young Muslim man who prays outside of my residence hall during the day. He is very visible and many people notice him on their walk around campus. I find it odd that many people, Christians and otherwise, find him so inspiring, when the on-campus Christian ministries don’t seem to have the same effect. Is this because Muslims are so much better and so much more “spiritual” than Christians? No. It is because being a Christian is not longer in vogue, while Islam seems to be.
Moving on to homosexuality. I can’t believe this is even an issue. Shouldn’t that be a personal preference rather than a national topic?
As a matter of discussion, I could really care less what you choose to do behind closed doors. While Bush wasn’t the best president ever, his “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy sure fits my thoughts right now; No One CARES! Unfortunately, we can’t just move on with this one. Why? Because let’s all be DIVERSE! Yes, now the gender of the person with whom you want to have sex suddenly determines your level of diversity. Does that make a gay person, more diverse than me? It shouldn’t, and if it does, that’s not fair (since we seem to be all about fairness now). Unfortunately, homosexuality is seen as a good thing and a manner of diversity. The only reason I care about this subject is because of my irritation with it being shoved down my throat.
Yesterday I was handed a safety pin with rainbow-colored beads on it. Cute, right? Maybe if it wasn’t attached to a sheet of paper talking about National Coming Out Day (I don’t remember exactly what it said as I, obviously, promptly threw it away). Maybe if it wasn’t a not-so-subtle reminder that gays are now cooler than straights. Why don’t we have a National I-Like-Members-Of-The-Opposite-Sex Day? Seems a little unfair to me. I mean if we really want diversity, why isn’t the government celebrating me and my attraction to guys?
Personally, I like diversity. That is what makes this country fun (notice I said “fun” not “great” This country is great because the Founding Fathers, all White, founded it upon God’s Word). I simply think the great thinkers of this nation are over-thinking this idea of diversity, and turning it into something it’s not, namely the undermining of the morals and principles which allows God to bless us.