As we
prepare for July 4th celebrations around the country, many
communities are organizing fireworks displays. One of my family’s traditions is
to point out our favorites as we watch together. My daughter likes the swirly
ones and my son likes the ones that are loud and bright. My husband enjoys the
ones that shoot up the highest while I am most drawn to the ones that crackle.
I
suspect that we are not so unique. After all, a fireworks display is most
enjoyable when dozens of different patterns explode together in a bright mix of
color and sound. In fact, most of us would be quick to criticize a display that
had a lack of variety, too much of one color, or anything else that made it
seem dull or uninteresting.
Our
day-to-day lives should be a mirror image of a successful fireworks display. Experiences
should be their most enjoyable when we successfully bring together a vast array
of people and perspectives, merging them into a colorful and intriguing whole.
And yet,
we know that this is not always the case. We know that we have a way to go
before we can say that we fully celebrate such diversity. We continue to find
comfort in familiarity and security in the known. We need to move our culture
to a place where we look around and wonder what’s missing; rather than sitting
idly by while a select few even notice those who are kept at a distance.
Quite
simply, inclusion is belonging. And when we recognize that every person - yes
EVERY person - has a right to belong, then, and only then, will we experience
the most outstanding finale of the most spectacular fireworks display we have
yet to see.
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