Diversity

Growing up on the south side of Des Moines, in a middle-class household, and hailing from families of both European and Latin American descent taught me a great deal about life. We were raised to understand that while we appeared white in complexion and appearance, there was a portion of our heritage that wasn’t, that part of our family struggled, and spent many years trying to establish themselves in this country, dealing with complex racism along the way. The European portion of my family didn’t have to deal with the hardships of racism, but they knew what it meant to struggle, suffering from a different kind of discrimination, one based on economic class. Both understood what it meant to be the “other.” Because of this family history, we were raised in a household in which we were taught to show kindness and respect for all people, not just the ones who looked or sounded like us. We carried the weight of two families that lived through a lifetime of hardships, one from race, and one from class, both trying desperately to build a stronger foundation that would foster opportunity for their children to thrive upon. Being raised in this kind of environment creates something unique within you. It provides a perspective that illuminates how people are often taken advantage of due to their appearance, voice, or lifestyle. Or simply because of who they are or choose to be. 

Growing up on the South Side exposed me to a wealth of diversity, from families of differing nationalities to those of varying economic classes. From middle school to high school, we grew up together learning to navigate a world that wasn’t as accepting as it is today. I watched my friends confront complex questions about ethnicity, sexuality, class, masculinity, femininity, and equality. We formed bonds not based on these groups, but despite them. We found the humanity in the realization that there was strength in being different. Oftentimes, we looked beyond them and built friendships that were based on our shared experience. Because we were exposed to these differences, we saw each other as unique, learning to accept the novelty that comes with diversity. 

For me, the most significant impact on how I see the world was shaped by my disability. At a young age, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. This felt like a hammer, knocking me off track for many years to follow. I was young when I first received my diagnosis. While I didn’t fully understand what it meant, I knew that I was different. That my world wasn’t the same as others. I needed more time, help, guidance, and understanding. This fundamentally changed me. It allowed me to see the world of the “other.” One in which I didn’t fit the norm, where I wasn’t part of the group, where I was, in fact, different. It may seem like a small realization now, but this subtle shift endeared me to the others of the world for the rest of my life. I gravitated to those who didn’t fit the mold, trying to understand better who they were, their perspective, and how they were treated. 

I realized that we should protect those who are different, that we should show grace and understanding, promoting a more inclusive world for all, not just some. I understood, at a fundamental level, that if I had not been shown the care and kindness I was shown as a child, I may not have made it. I may have been lost, never truly feeling whole as I learned to navigate the world. But more importantly, I found that no human is a singular being. While we’re individuals, we’re made up of countless acts of those who have invested in us. Those who took the time to recognize our potential and create an environment in which we could succeed. None of us is a monolith. We all require care, kindness, love, and support. Our bootstraps were made with the threads of giving. Moments, woven together, create a life in which we are able to manifest our desired future. We should all be reminded of these moments when we choose to judge instead of seeking clarity or acceptance. 

While some may never understand what it means to be the “other,” or to be different, it should come as no surprise that there is a world that exists outside of your or my thoughts, perspective, understanding, and beliefs. Instead of running from that, we should push towards the unknown. We should seek to find common ground, to provide comfort and refuge instead of distrust and fear. There is a beauty in the unknown, a love in the difference, and a humanity in acceptance and grace. Beyond that, there is a fundamental power in the realization that all of us want to feel safe, understood, protected, and loved. That spans all nationalities, all classes, all communities, and all people.