By Heidi M. Pascual
When I think of diversity, I think of colors that make up our environment; of nations that make up the world; of beliefs and religions that make up a people's spiritual foundation; of customs and traditions that define cultures; of languages, music and arts that echo a people's unique ways of communication; and of everything that makes up all creations.
In Madison, Wisconsin, I witnessed two recent celebrations of diversity that emphasized unity: Celebrate Madison! and Race Unity Rally. These events were not just happy events to spend a day watching performances and ethnic dances. They were more than that. Looking much deeper and knowing what is happening around the world, events like these actually give people the chance to reflect on what is most important in life.
This thought is best summarized by the following poem by Larissa Walder:
A Rainbow of Cultures
Our cultures weave together,
Like the colors of a rainbow.
We all have a heritage
to be proud of.
But although we are different
We are the same.
We drink the same water
from the same bubbling stream.
Smiling and laughing
Are in every language.
Together we sing, dance, and love.
We are a world
of many threads.
Woven and knitted
into beautiful patterns.
We are the people
Both same and different,
We all take the same path
As we travel through our lives
Together.
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