We hate change and embracing diversity demands change.
It is easier to keep an arm's length from those that are different. I don't need to learn a new language, experience another culture, or expand my group of friends. No need to spend time adjusting my preconceived notions that may have been slightly askew.
The effect goes beyond trying a new restaurant.
As the foundations of apartheid in South Africa began to crumble, the white minorities in authority, were to realize a loss of power, influence, and wealth. As much as the progressives wanted the grievous practice to end, there was apprehension about how diversity would be embraced across the country. In a single day, the black majority embraced diversity with the white minority, as equal.
The Palestinian father's stomach is knotted as his youngest daughter, with fingers interlaced, pulls her Israeli boyfriend up the front walkway.
As the father in Fiddler On The Roof, Tevye, struggles with changing times and reminisces about the importance of tradition. Diversity pushes its way into the family by the love interest of each daughter. After all, this is how he has seen the world all his life, and now things are changing.
There will always be some new frontier that society will push to embrace as the next level of diversity. Your sure footing will be loosened by the interconnected world coming to your doorstep. Constant change is here to stay.
Going Further: How has a call to diversity arrived on your doorstep? How have you struggled to embrace diversity? What has been one benefit to diversity?