Diversity in 2016…
Bigotry is a horrible thing. Black, white. Mexican. Gay, Straight. Misogyny. Muslim, Christian.  Good Cops, Bad Cops. ‘Foreigners’. I don’t understand it. Where does this hatred come from? Why do we have this inability to embrace people and the diversity of our great country?

I guess you learn about diversity the same way some people learn to hate. From your parents, your coaches, your friends, your coworkers….I’m not sure I understand the world now, and the hatred that seems to have grown all around us. I think back through my life, the lessons I’ve learned, and the experiences I’ve had, and I am thankful for them . While institutional activities have grown (and continue to grow) to support diversity over the years, it’s the small, personal encounters that I recall and that make a difference.

I remember as a grade school kid, there was a young African American couple that moved in across the street. It caused a bit of consternation at the time, because the “black neighborhood” was down off of Third Avenue. What did Dad do? I remember to this day. The guy was out watering his lawn, and Dad crossed the street, went over and shook his hand, and welcomed him to the neighborhood. If he needed anything, don’t hesitate to ask…

A few years later, my cousin married a “Mexican Girl”. The wedding? One of the most fun I’ve ever been to, and, I think it was the best food I had at any wedding I’ve attended. By the way, they’re still married, 40-some years later

At my own wedding, one of our groomsmen happened to be African American. I didn’t think anything about it, as Chuck was a good friend and classmate from West Point. 30 some years later, I was talking with some friends back home and one of them said “ya know, that was pretty brave of you Back then.” And I said, “what was pretty brave?” And he answered back “you know…having a black guy in your wedding.” …really?

Half way through my time at West Point, the decision was made to admit women. Before the decision, there was much angst and fighting about the issue. After the decision was made, the Superintendent made a presentation to the entire Corps of Cadets. He said, “If there are female soldiers, and female officers, why wouldn’t we want women to attend West Point, one of the premier leadership schools in the world?” And all of a sudden the issue disappeared, or at least it did for me.

Over time, other happenings….

Several years ago, we were with a friend who was trying hard to tell us something, he was tearful while doing so. Finally it comes out “I’m gay” he says. And we say “so? We love you no matter who you are”. And then he was crying tears of happiness, because he wasn’t sure how we would react.

Or the coworker and office mate I had while working on the Pentagon Renovation, who is one of the smartest engineers I’ve ever known. Sajeel was the lead engineer for all of the new Information Technology (IT) in the Pentagon. He also happened to be Muslim. Guess who led all of the IT reconstruction efforts at the Pentagon after the events of 9/11?

Or a former boss who is Vietnamese, and was stranded in this country when South Viet Nam fell. After stints teaching at UCal and Georgetown, he started an IT company and has grown it to over $200M in annual revenue through hard work and persistence.

Or your sister-in-law and brother-in-law adopt a little girl from Guatemala.   And the love in that family is totally color blind.

Or the lesbian friend and coworker who is the best operations person I’ve ever seen. After she and her wife were married, they had a little boy. If you see the three of them together, I defy you to find a better family, or see more loving parents.

These are just a few of the countless examples throughout my life. Look around people – I’m sure you have many of the same in your own life, if you just take the time to look. I’m not trying to be Pollyanna – I know that bad things happen as well. But I have to believe that the good in people out-weighs the bad.

Hatred and bigotry? They have no place in my life. Life is too precious, and too short to waste time on them. I’ve always thought our diversity is what makes us such a great country. Each of us needs to do what we can to end bigotry and I’m convinced it can only happen at a personal level.

Make A Difference. You can. Embrace diversity and take a stand against bigotry today, and everyday.  Diversity…Really.