When my stepfather, a man from a small homogenous Kentucky town, came for the first time to my son's school’s Grandparent’s Day, his comment was, “My goodness… that school is like the United Nations!” clearly referring to the ethnic diversity of the institution.
My son jumped at the opportunity to “educate” Grandpa by listing the nationalities and religious backgrounds represented in his classroom. I beamed! My son, an elementary schoolboy, had “gotten it”! He realized that the richness of this world is not in the sameness we share, but in the differences that we posses.
This is why, when I learned about the
defacing of property, of one of our
foreign physician's home and the one on
DePaul University's campus, my feelings
ran the gamut from frustration to ire.
How is it that two of our own, a
professional family amongst a community
of professionals, who has lived in our
town for 15 years, and a renowned
institution of higher learning can be
violated in this way?
Why is it that an
elementary schoolboy can take pride in
the diversity of his friends while
others believe that unless their
neighbors look or speak in the same
manner as they do, their community is
headed towards doom?
Friends, it is
time that we step-up-to-the-plate for
what is right! I can assure you that
my household will not rest (nor my
voice be silenced) until the matter of
this family & this institution has been
settled.
Lastly, how can we ask other countries
to get along within their own, if we do
not set the trend? Our country must
set the example, in and outside its
borders, that we can be a hospitable
people...to ALL.
--------------------------------------
Mrs. Heitz, the only etiquette
consultant in the US who has attended a
year-around Finishing boarding school
abroad (for a total of six years!) has
been the source for numerous social and
business protocol radio broadcasts and
countless newspaper articles.
She is
the author of the column "ETI-KIDS,
Courtesy for Children and Teens",
Founder and Director of The Etiquette
School & High Socie-Tea Events. Most
recently she has been featured in
Chicago Social (CS) Magazine, the
Chicago Tribune and her "voice" has
been heard on the renowned LATINA
magazine.
Carmen D. Heitz, Founder & Director of
The Etiquette SchoolNorthwest Indiana's
World Council Board Member E-Mail :
CarmenHeitz@TheEtiquetteSchool.com
Tel:(219) 934-0806
Thank you for writing about diversity and the many benefits. The USA melting pot, is what made this country grow and become strong in many facets. Keep up the good work.
Salid
Posted by: Salid Singh | March 18, 2006 at 12:27 PM