HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Audre Lorde, writer and librarian, once stated, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
Whether we visit another city, state, or country, diversity is what makes the world unique and fascinating. Each year we recognize World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, or Diversity Day, on May 21.
This day is set aside to urge every person to do their part in building the bridge between cultures.
The United Nations first declared May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development in 2002. In 2005, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization encouraged the world to develop empathy for the tenets of cultural diversity to achieve four goals.
The organization believed promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms; integrating culture into the frameworks of sustainable development; achieving a balanced flow of cultural goods and services; and supporting sustainable systems for the governance of culture, in conjunction with, acceptance of other cultures would lead to fulfillment in life.
As the United Nations continues to inspire the world to embrace cultural diversity, we should strive to reach cultural proficiency and hold other cultures in the same regard as we hold our own.
America is not only a melting pot, but also a cornucopia overflowing with different races, ethnicities, cultures and beliefs, which we should celebrate and respect equally.
On Diversity Day and every day, we should attempt to immerse ourselves in different cultures to increase our awareness of the world around us. Take the time to visit an art exhibit, listen to music from a different culture, or watch an international film.
Diversity Day is about educating oneself to gain a better understanding of another’s culture to create an affinity for those who are not like us.
If you would like to learn more about World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, visit the United Nations website at https://www.un.org/en/observances/cultural-diversity-day.