I haven’t been blogging lately because I really didn’t have much to say…so, I’ve been writing a bit of my book. But today I wanted to post this because I think it’s so important that we celebrate, embrace and accept, not just tolerate, the differences in the world…especially today. So Happy Spring…
Contemplative Court @ the African American Museum, D.C.
There is always going to be someone smarter than you, taller than you or shorter than you. Someone skinnier than you. Someone more voluptuous. Someone sexier. More fit. Prettier. And someone with more money. The issue isn't these differences that exists in the world but the way we treat those different from us, the way we behave towards those poorer and those who are not the same like us.
I was fortunate to grow up in a family that taught me to treat everyone with respect, with dignity and to accept, not just tolerate, our differences. My parents value education and that seemed to be the only thing they were concerned about. What is he studying? Where did she go to school? What's his profession? They never asked about race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. All my friends were invited home. All my friends were accepted. All my friends were family.
I'm raising my girls the same way but sometimes it's challenging not to point out the differences...even in them. I couldn't talk back to my parents but these little ones seem to think that talking back is normal. They seem to think that they can speak to the nanny or the helper as they wish. (In the Caribbean we say helper, not maid.) No! That's not how you speak to an adult. Yes, you can ask question but with respect.
I also try not to compare my kids. The eldest loved to read and would read 100+ books a year. The middle one, the artist, only likes graphic novels and the baby reads everything her sisters read. They are different, so I try not to compare but the stark differences are apparent. We embrace these differences and acknowledge that we have to approach each child in a unique way.
Wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same? Imagine a world where everyone looked alike...spoke the same...ate the same foods and only listened to one type of music? How boring!!!!
So embrace the differences. Love your big hair, your chocolate skin, your high cheek bones, your broad nose, your peach skin, your straight hair, your thin lips, your curvy body, your no-so-curvy body...your unique YOU. And loving yourself doesn't mean you have to hate others. Open your mind and heart to the beautiful differences that make this world an amazingly wonderful melting pot of cultures...and engage in the exchange of learning something new.
You can’t do that by staying in your little bubble. You can’t do that by not having a passport. You can’t do that by not making friends. You can’t do that by not being open in heart, mind and soul.
Freedom Tower (WTC), NYC
