Diversity

"There is not a black America and white American and Latino America and Asian America - there's the United States of America."  Do you know who made that quote?  It was during the 2004 Democratic National Convention, by our current President, Barack Obama.

No truer words could have been said, nor could I have said it any better.  All 50 states of our nation are occupied by Americans of almost every nationality across the globe.  In fact, a few states already have a higher ratio of minorities than white Americans.  Our nation has become a "melting pot" of ethnicity and cross-cultural adversities.

Before one starts to base prejudicial thoughts or racial profiling, first consider a few facts.  First, our continent's predecessors arrived here by crossing a land barrier between Asia and North America tens of thousands of years ago.  These early inhabitants began their long journey from prehistoric Mesopotamia and North Africa.  Second, if we all were to trace our ancestry back far enough, we would see we are natives of what is now the Mid East.  And third, our more recent Ancestors arrived to this New World from every continent.  We now inhabit the most diversified nation in the world.

Obama's statement eight years ago still sets the stage for millions of Americans, striving to live and work in an environment of diversity.  One such workplace I am quite familiar with is IBM, here in Rochester, MN.  This world-renowned company stresses the importance of diversity, and has no racial bias when it comes to hiring.  Through Manpower Temps and other contractors, employees from all cultures work in harmony through teamwork.  I have yet to see any discrimination amongst my fellow peers or managers.  The company ranks at the top of my list of companies to work for.  If only other businesses and corporations would follow in IBM's footsteps and allow cultural diversity to flow free throughout our nation.

Indeed, President Obama's 2004 speech signifies the truth that we are a nation of many ethnic groups.  Fifty states of cultural diversity - a nation of many faces.

.......Just a Thought......