When I was in school, certainly from grade school through college, we were taught that the United States is a meling pot - where apparantly all the nationalities were poured into the pot and out came homogenized Americans! Now we know that it did not really work like this, but the essential thought was sidely believed. This approach downplayed the importance of nationalities and have have, unwittingly, perpetuated prejudice.
The social scientist who came up with this theory of melting pot finally admitted that he got it wrong. We are far less a melting pot - and far more a mosaic - where every single nationality and ethnic group forms a valuable piece of the mosaic. If you dishonor even one piece of the mosaic, you do not honored the entire mosaic. I like this understanding of our country.
The mosaic approach to understanding our differences is an important part to seeing how we have far more that unites us, than divides us. I am so saddened when I find national leaders put down other races or ethnic groups, use codewords to denigrate various groups. Who do they think they are kidding? It is simply not right. I get especially sad when those from Irish backgrounds are bigots. They really forgot where they are from. Hopefully, with good experiences from groups other than their own, they will change.
When you think about it, isn’t this the way of Jesus? I think so - and I hope you do as well.
TODAY’S GRATITUDE: For people of insight who can bring us together, rather than divide us.