|
What comes to mind when you hear the word--diversity? Issues of race or gender may spring to mind.Equal rights? Or minority issues? I encourage people to look at a much wider definition of the word.1 would tend to say diversity is differentness in any form.A good example of this kind of diversity has been experienced by every person who ever left behind the comforts of home and moved into uncharted territory.Issues of diversity are informed not only by your cultural background and context，but also by your religion，age，field of work，family situation， personality，and countless other factors that make us unique.Diversity affects everyone. Its for this reason that diversity has become such a buzz word.The buzz happens because its all about how you handle it.Its very much like the job a composer has when creating a great musical composition.If the composer understands what each unique note and dynamic mark is capable of in combination with the other parts，the result achieved is extraordinary.If, however，none of the parts is communicating with the others，were left with a cacophony. On a personal level.its this understanding and acceptance of the other which rests at the core of diversity.Whether were talking about navigating through a multicultural urban environment or uprooting and moving to a new foreign social context，it is necessary to set aside rigid assumptions about the other and put oneself in the others shoes. So how do we make this leap? Its often as simple as asking questions and being careful not to assume that what you see is necessarily what the other side sees. | 
