Diversity

By the time I had left home for the University of Cincinnati at 17 and was befriended by a group of black guys in the dorm, I had met and talked to a grand total of one black man. I had a Jewish friend at university—the first Jewish person I had ever met.

I struggle to think of a single black, Asian, or Hispanic person at the second university I attended—a small Liberal Arts college in Ohio. The village I grew up in had no ethnic minorities. The county where I lived was 8% non-white. I’ve moved to a community in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago. I think there are two Asian families and one black family among the 1,000 plus population.

Contemplating Black History month, I thought about how little diversity there is and was where I have lived. I bet that is similar for many, if not most, of us. Even in cities people gather into areas of similarity.

My social media connections are highly diverse. There is some broadening of views there. That is a help.

As the pandemic winds down, I shall make it a priority to find ways to meet a diverse group of people.

Adding diversity of age, gender, ethnicity to groups whether business or nonprofit committees or organizations makes them stronger and more creative.

This is one of those posts that began with an idea with no vision of an end. I guess I’ll leave it there—with a call to action and no idea how to do it.

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