By: Steve Trubilla
Diversity is one of America's strengths, or so it is said.
Pragmatically speaking, we are a nation of immigrants, multicultural, and out of necessity, to some extent, dependent on one another.
Your doctor may originally be from India, your plumber from Ireland, and the man restoring your home from Uganda.
This, on the surface, proves America's strength of diversity, does it? Things are not always as they appear. People being together does not mean they are together. As a nation, I feel we may now be more divided than in any other time in our history, dangerously divided.
Apply this to your personal life, based on gender, ethnicity, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and or religion, even if you hail from the north or south. Where do you find total acceptance?
A traditional definition of diversity is inclusion with mutual acceptance and respect. Would you say life in America today reflects this? Reasons are many, but I feel one stands above all the rest, and that is the loss of the individual's identity of being an American.
Figuratively, the stove has been turned down, or off, under the melting pot. The transformative effect of assimilation is gone.
Ask anyone what their rights are, they will be able to recite them. Then ask them what their responsibilities are as a citizen, or what it means to be an American. Do not be surprised when they cannot definitively speak to the latter.
Think about this for a moment: Do you know what your specific responsibilities are as an American citizen? Who was it that told you of this? Chances are no one ever has, not definitively.
The very important founding principal of national unity has been lost. Today the mention of American pride can bring on attack and charge of xenophobia, homophobia, Islamophobia, and misogyny. Even the flying of the Stars and Stripes is found offensive.
I read recently of high school students refusing to render honors to the flag and the fallen when the Star Spangled Banner was played. The school administration found those students were within their rights to do so, yes "their rights." No mention of their duty. This happened right here in North Carolina, not just on the left coast.
This is the product of what is called the Progressive Movement. It would take considerable time to delineate the cause, effects. Damage done by design to people and country guided away from interest in their own government. Suffice to say, the movement at its core seeks to impose the masked tyranny of Socialism.
The truth is, and history shows, as a nation we are stronger, even unstoppable, if united and forged by our diversity. It was American exceptionalism, by way of endurance, industry, and ingenuity that built our country. The whiners and those with excuses for failure of the past did not survive; a manifestation proving Social Darwinism.
The past may hold the keys to the future. I suggest a look there to find what works, because it did work. What is being done now is not working.
By act of congress in 1782 E Pluribus Unum, Latin translated to, "Out of Many, One," was taken as the motto for our country. The meaning and intent of the phrase was out of many states/colonies united would emerge a single nation better able to provide for the common defense, thus securing sovereignty.
Even today one can almost feel the passion of this powerful, meaningful, idealistic effort towards unity by way of diversity.
In the context of today, I hear the word diversity mostly used to leverage what this or that group expects, wants, and even demands of another. Little mention, if any, of the power of unity, or the country at all.
In 1956, for political reasons, Congress changed the motto of the United States to "In God we Trust." Major players influencing this were then President Eisenhower and the Reverend Billy Graham.
Well, politics are again at play. If those with influence today have their way, "In God we Trust" will be replaced with who knows what. Maybe the new motto will be "Eat more Chicken." After all who will that offend? To be sure it will offend someone.
Yes, diversity can be America's great strength, but not if her people choose to be divided for their own gain over the wisdom of, "Out on many, one," and placing their trust in God. Old ideas can be a new path to the future.
Maybe 2017 will be the year that brings forth a generation that understands this.
This article was published on January 5, 2017 in the Franklin Times newspaper in Louisburg, North Carolina. "Paper Bullets"