If I have a favorite painter, it is probable Claude Monet—or certainly some impressionist painter. I love what Monet did with small strokes or dots of color. If you get your face as close to the painting (as security will allow), the painting seems like a rather random collection of color splashes on the canvas. As you step back, though, the artist’s genius is revealed.
Diversity is often represented by a rainbow flag. I am all for inclusivity and celebrating human uniqueness. It only recently occurred to me the limitation of this symbolism. The flag symbolizes separation and labels. It ignores the greater diversity of society. Personally, I find this a bit disconcerting.
I think of what creates a rainbow—the unified light being passed through a prism that divided the light by its various frequencies (i.e., colors). Granted, a real rainbow is a spectra of colors, so, in nature, the light is not truly separated—but, it is segregated.
As individuals, we are all more than the dichotomous labels we put on one another (e.g., male/female, rich/poor, etc.) Thus, we cannot accurately be described by such labels. We cannot be celebrated for our individual uniqueness and contribution when we are categorized. I celebrate diversity, but I would prefer to see diversity viewed as an Impressionist masterpiece—each point of color unique and contributing to the grander purpose. I believe that we are Spiritual beings—each ordained with a specific role that affects Universe in ways that might only be seen when we take a step back and view the bigger picture. I believe that we need to see ourselves as being an important part of something greater than self, if we are to survive ourselves. We cannot be united and be divided. Diversity celebrates the individual, not the group. No one group or individual has any greater contribution to the Universe than the next. Our contributions are just different. Celebrate the differences.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!
Image: “Irises in Monet’s Garden”