Diversity: Many pieces into one

 

I love to write. I love the diversity of words. Merriam-Webster defines diversity as “the condition of having or being composed of differing elements” and “especially : the inclusion of people of different races, cultures, etc. in a group or organization (Merriam Webster, 2021). This definition, when broken down, has the words “composed” “differing” “elements” “races” “groups” “organization.” Whew. It’s like putting separate pieces of a puzzle together. Diversity is seeing those puzzle pieces come together to make something more whole and more meaningful.

Katherine W. Phillips of Scientific American says, “Being around people who are different from us makes us more creative, diligent, and hard-working” (2017). Diversity leads to “better decision making and problem solving… Even simply being exposed to diversity can change the way you think.” It’s good for companies, enhancing profitability.

Maribel Perez Wadsworth, President of USA Today, is a diversity champion. In an interview with Elana Gross of Forbes, she says, “Certainly experience counts for something. But so does diverse perspective and fresh perspective. Your unique lens on the issue at-hand may offer the next great idea or, minimally, spark ideas in others that build toward new solutions and new thinking (Gross, 2018). On Marion Star-News (2020), she admits that “..across the nation, newsrooms continue to struggle with a lack of diversity –– especially in leadership ranks, including some of our own. We must do better.”

Diversity touches every part of our lives today. More people are learning foreign languages, traveling to different parts of the world, and getting educated about other people’s cultures. Mahatma Gandhi was quoted as saying, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” Again, this reminds me of the pieces of the puzzle. In learning about how diverse our world is and accepting our differences, we truly become more united. Diversity is such a beautiful word.

References: 

Gross, E. L. (2018, March 9). How this journalist transitioned from local news to overseeing hundreds of local publications. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2018/03/07/maribel-perez-wadsworth/?sh=6fa26a3a63b4

Merriam-Webster. (2021). Definition of diversity. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity

Phillips, K. W. (2014, October). How diversity makes us smarter. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter/

Wadsworth, M. P. (2020, August 20). Gannett news president: Diversity and inclusion are choices, not just words. Today we reaffirm our mission. Marion Star. https://eu.marionstar.com/story/news/2020/08/20/diversity-inclusion-choices-not-just-words/5606911002/