The Politics of Celebrating Diversity vs. The Melting Pot

(Original Post) February 10, 2009 - Tuesday


There seems to be a misnomer out there that celebrating diversity somehow will bring people together. When ever has pointing out differences ever brought anyone together. When dating, we try to find someone who shares some of our desires and likes, this also happens when considering friends and associations. Of course, we will never agree completely with anyone.

The movement of Celebrating diversity does more harm than good, it drives a wedge between people by promoting exclusivity for groups encouraging its members to look for those differences, it does not unite people. A common reason people hate or have distrust is because of the differences people see in one another. A common reason for unity is the similarities they see in one another.

The Melting Pot, this is the basic idea of bringing people together based on similarities not differences and uniting them under one nationality. This does not mean we all have to think one way or another or throw away our heritage. What it does is, encourage an atmosphere of common ground with people that may not be alike in many ways but may share a lot of the same thoughts and ideas that you do.

When you celebrate similarities you are celebrating a reason to come together or at least encouraging people to find common ground. When you celebrate diversity or differences what are you really celebrating? Celebrating that people are different is like celebrating the mere existence of something. So, when I am celebrating diversity, should I be celebrating the fact that I was born white or that someone else was not? We would be better served celebrating that we all believe in the concept of freedom and that we all our Americans.

My friend and I disagree politically but, we don’t get together and celebrate it. What we do is get together and celebrate are friendship and things we both like, mostly. Your certainly not making a convincing argument for people to come together celebrating differences but, are encouraging people to stay in their separate communities. It sounds like the promotion of segregation to me. I would much prefer to find out what I have in common with someone than to point out our differences. So, lets celebrate similarity.


- Micheal Garry