According to one Spanish speaking voter, she had never heard a presidential candidate made a whole advert in Spanish and with such feeling. Apparently Barack is unique in that. She was so excited and thrilled.
I eagerly watched the advert and had goosepimples when I saw it. I can speak some Spanish, so I understood most of it when I heard his words, and that was important to me to gauge its effectiveness. Though I am not Spanish, I felt moved by it. The one thing that came across very clearly is that Barack was not just reciting words off a cue card, or what he had memorised. He seems to actually feel those words as he said them and immediately made his audience feel included by speaking in their language too, in a way they could both understand, appreciate and consider.
Every person in this world constantly seeks four main things throughout their whole life: to be significant, to be appreciated, to be valued and to be included. High or low, rich or poor, those personal goals become the essence of our existence. That is all that matters to each of us in our unique ways. Minorities, in particular, suffer from exclusion in a majority society, seldom treated as though they truly belong. Seeking inclusion and value tends to be paramount for them. So to hear a future president trying to connect with them, to emphasise their inclusion in the American dream, must be music to their ears. They really matter at last.
There is an awful lot of depth to this man that we will have the chance to discover if he becomes President of the United States of America. But one thing has been unmistakable about him since he entered the race for the White House: Barack surely understands people and what makes them tick. If you've not heard him speak Spanish before, you're in for a treat!
I love the bit at the end where he says, with obvious feeling: "Don't vote for me or the Democrats. Vote for you and your family". So simple a request, yet so true for everyone. It really isn't about Obama anymore. He has laid out what is possible under his office. What really matters in the run up to these historic elections is the kind of society each American desires for him/herself. No one else. And their vote will help to ensure it.
The Frog And The Wall: A modern day tale of Democrats and Republicans in the 2008 Elections
There was once a very timid frog who lacked confidence and was very fearful of any challenges. However, there was a race to climb a wall and he desperately wanted to be part of it. Deep down he knew he could do it, but his fear and lack of self belief due to a handicap kept him from entering. However, his friends knew he could do it and set about persuading him.
He finally gave in and entered the race but some other jealous frogs from a rival group kept taunting the entrants that they couldn't win at all. Once the race began, these frogs kept shouting out all kind of negative things to stop the others from winning. Not surprisingly, one by one the frogs fell off the wall, yet this little timid frog kept on, despite all the nasty things they were saying about his looks, his talents and his abilities.
He could see the top of the wall now, so near and yet so far, but the shouts of derision were also getting louder on this final stretch, and he worked even harder to maintain his grip and to cover the last few yards. Finally he made it. He was most surprised to see he had won. He couldn't believe it, especially as all the other frogs had been affected by the negative things and had fallen off in despair. The shouts of "You'll never do it, you're rubbish" got to them all, except him.
Why had this little timid frog won above all others? Why didn't the nasty shouts affect him?
He couldn't hear the shouting, the carping and the shouts of derision from his opponents. He was actually deaf.
The connection with the current election is that there is an awful lot of negative chattering going on from the fearful Republicans who are clutching at every kind of unrealistic straw to prop up their man. There are also lots of Obama supporters who are getting equally fearful that the prize is so near and yet could be so far and are obviously being affected by all the negative noises around them.
Let's get three things right:
1. No matter what some wishful polls are saying, Barack Obama is going to win by a landslide.
2. The election is not going to be 'stolen' because this is a new kind of election with a new mindset. Nothing that worked in the past is going to work now, otherwise it would have worked already!
3. Obama has come a long way thanks to his millions of supporters who have that steadfast belief. They will not desert him now.
Supporters of Barack Obama needn't worry at all. They have done their job. All they need to do now on the home straight is to stop fretting, worrying and fearing. Instead they should BELIEVE in their man, allow his vision and hope to take take them over, ignore the noises-off, get some EARPLUGS or BLINDFOLDS and work as hard as they can to keep that momentum going. Everything else will take care of itself.
Fear is a paralysing force. It achieves nothing except more fear because it keeps us rooted to the spot wrapped in 'what ifs' of the worst kind without much action. If Obama had such fears and unbelief he would not be where he is now. All he needs is for others to get rid of their fears, trust him and themselves and get their self-belief into gear so that victory will be assured. When we try to control or dictate things, that's when we feel vulnerable and impotent. Just let go of the angst and worry, wish him well, and play your little part in getting him there. The result on November 5th will be truly magical, way beyond your expectations.
Honest. :o)
Journey to the heart of Obamaland - Live from Chicago! (Day 1)
Yes, Boys and Girls. This is IT! I kept pinching myself all day yesterday to make sure I was actually where I thought I was: at Barack Obama's National HQ in Illinois. It is the focus of activity for the state, but, being Barack's home town, it is also the THE hive of activity where anyone who is anyone in the Obama team hangs out.
Behind every successful man/woman is a motivator, confessor and encourager when things get tough and Obama owes this historical moment to an amazing team: The Kingmakers, as I call them! Except that this staff team also consists of his supporters who are driving things unaided, undeterred and unphased in a remarkablly tight and dedicated organisation at ground level. I thought that while the media focus was on Obama in this make or break week, I would go behind the scenes to spotlight his humble incredible people who have written his name in history, whatever the outcome next week. I cannot begin to tell you how it feels to be at the hub of all this activity, but I had better start at the beginning. So I hope you're sitting comfortably! :o)
I got the madcap idea of going to Chicago as I haven't travelled in 18 months due to being laid out by a severe and long term illness. Lately, things looked as though they are getting better (fingers crossed!) so I thought I would take a break, go somewhere different, perk myself up and just forget my situation for a few days. I had been writing about the American elections during that time, repeatedly saying "YES I CAN!" to propel myself through some very dark days of having an ambulance standing by when I was a hair's breath from the dreaded coma. Those three little words might have been responsible for the thrilling march of a movement behind Barack Obama to these final moments of awesome possibilities, but they also meant my very survival, way across the Pond, when things looked decidedly grim. There was simply no contest in destination when I made my decision. I had only seen this famous city from the airport in a transit changeover years ago so this would be my first memorable visit.
Jetting to the heart of "YES WE CAN!" territory in the final stage of this very long, exciting and historic campaign, was an easy but very scary decision. I had to see for myself what it was all about, to feel the excitement, the fears and the tears. To be right there when the great election happened, not just as an observer but hands on with the phones, the door to door canvassing, the persuasion and the encouragement. To be able to answer the inevitable question of : Where were you on November 4th, 2008 when Obama won the White House?" with the awesome reply, "Right there in the Obama engine room!" will be something humbling, extraordinary and unique for posterity.
I never thought that, as a small town Briton, I would be so intricately connected to the American elections when I have never been interested in any kind of elections before. But thanks to the Internet, and Newsvine, in particular, it's as if I have actually been in America since Obama launched his bid to be the leader of the free world in 2007. Tons of articles later on his unbelievable progress, and here I am, seeing the campaign off at the finish. Already, it felt magical.
Intrepid Explorer I knew only one person in Chicago, an acquaintance I hadn't seen in 10 years, so this was like the virtual unknown to someone who wasn't quite well either! But what the heck, I thought, you only live once. This was no rehearsal for another life, especially in the light of my recent battle to stay in this one! So here I was, one week and one day to the elections, on the plane from London Heathrow jetting off to the unknown all by myself and not knowing what to expect. Was I deterred? Not a bit. I felt like one of those intrepid but foolish explorers, with all heart and no sense, going off blithely into the unknown with little more than a knapsack on their back but with the excitement of discovery being almost tangible!!
I landed in the Illinois state capital after a wonderful journey by Virgin airways. Amazing how the time flies when you are busy chatting to others and having fun. I was lucky to be seated beside someone who had certain negative views on life, especially around forgiveness, or the lack of it in his life. I set about, in my usual robust and positive manner, trying to convince him of the benefits of forgiving murderers, in particular, while he remained stoic and unmoved, despite claiming to be 'very spiritual'! Locked in such an interesting debate for most of the journey, then listening to some soulful music for the rest, while trying to gyrate my body to the rhythms from my seat, the time just flew by. Before I knew it I had landed.
My Hotel Being of limited budget, I had chosen an out of the way hotel to the west of the city with excellent prices but with pretensions to grandeur. The small 'suite' just had to be seen. It had an excellent queen size type bed with a soft lit canopy, a steam room/shower for steaming off the stress and a working desk/sitting area. But pride of place has to go to the most enormous jacuzzi in the middle of the room, which could easily hold four people and I had it all to myself on this first night. Set in a lovely country area, this was my kind of hotel, except for a few niggles which I will mention later. (I will reveal its name at the end as I don't want everyone rushing to share it too..LOL.)
I was very tired and jet lagged but I had signed up for my first shift of working on the telephones at HQ the very next day (from 12-3 pm). I tried to get on the Internet to check details but my laptop chose that moment to have connection problems. Feeling a little irritable and deflated, I opted for the giant jacuzzi instead. I would just leave everything until the morning and totally relax. That was the best decision I made. I gingerly got in, hoping that I wouldn't disappear in this huge whirlpool tub! But as I gradually got used to it, the feeling was indescribable as the strong water jets firmly massaged my aching joints, slowly releasing the stresses, aprehension and the worries.
After an hour of soaking bliss, and feeling very strange due to the difference in hours (Chicago is currently 6 hours behind us), I crashed into fitful sleep waking up a few times before the dawn. But I just couldn't wait for tomorrow.
First Day Blues And Some Surprises - (Day 2)- Live from Chicago's Obamaland!
Having managed to sleep for a few hours, but acquiring some bags under my eyes that perhaps needed to be declared to customs, I decided to take in my terrain. The trouble with booking any hotel abroad from your home country is that we can only see it using our own perception and experience because that is all we have until we see the reality. Little Britain is just that: little! One hundred miles for us is an awful long way to travel, like Scotland, which is 350 miles from where I live. That's another country entirely, both politically and geographically, despite being a part of the UK! So we don't handle distance well.
The hotel's blurb on the Internet said it was 'only 13' miles away from Chicago. I did a quick calculation. Where I lived in Berkshire was 12 miles from my nearest town, and that usually takes me exactly 15 minutes to reach it. There should be no problem, I thought, getting to downtown Chicago. Should be a cinch. Famous last words. As I do not trust my own knowledge on my first day in any new place, I love to ask for help from the locals. But here it seemed that the actual distance from the hotel to Obama's HQ differed according to who said it and which staff were on duty!! The problem with their limited perception meant that they had no concept of a lone traveller coming thousands of miles from home, not knowing a lot about her surroundings and genuinely needing help. Though quite helpful, they treated me as a native and it was a baptism of fire.
The Journey Downtown I had signed on at HQ to do just one three hour shift on my first day, to get the feel of it all and to work my way in slowly. I was keen to get on with that as it started at midday and I had allowed an hour and a half to get there. I had been warned that I needed a taxi to the station, at a cost of $10-$15 max., and then $5 on the train, both of which I had budgeted for, and had taken into account, when I booked this particular hotel at their special rate. Everyone said the trains were about every half an hour. No problems, I had allowed plenty of time, but they disagreed about the length of the train ride. A couple of people said only 20 minutes while others said at least 35 minutes. No problems, either, I would get there in good time. Breakfast was a continental fare and having stocked up on that, I worked out my details for travelling quite easily, or so I thought, and ordered a taxi.
The taxi duly arrived and took me to the station in the expected time costing $14. Easy. All seemed well and going to plan. I began to smile with confidence. The waiting room was empty, I had obviously just missed a train. No problems. I had at least 75 minutes to get the next one and to reach there in time. I decided to really study the time table and discovered to my cost that the trains DID run regularly, but did not always stop at my station, and the next one was not due for three whole hours! Gulp! Panic. It meant getting there when my shift had ended! Not a great start to this auspicious day. There was only one answer for it: another taxi. "$50 dollars ma'am," the driver said cheerily.
The colour must have drained from my face turning me from Black to White in that split second because he suddenly seemed concerned and offered to give me a discount of $5 dollars, but he couldn't go any lower. "Downtown is a fair distance, ma'am," he offered helpfully. So much for being only 13 miles from Chicago, when the other taxi should have taken off at least five miles already! I decided Britons and Americans obviously used different kinds of miles to measure their journeys!! I had no option but to take it and it did take 35 minutes by car, travelling mainly on the highway. What kind of '13 miles' was that, I wondered. With tips, my taxi fares had already taken a staggering $62 from my daily budget and I still had my meals to pay. I suddenly felt very deflated. Not even when I pulled up outside the headquarters did the excitement return. I was just glad to have reached at last.
The Illinois Obama HQ This hub of activity was a revelation in itself. It boasted a sign on an impressive building until you went inside, walked down to the basement and saw where it operated from. I had never seen so many people crammed into bare offices, on bare wooden desks, with bare walls and nothing but their motivation to cheer the place up! Every staff, no matter how senior, had to double up in the space provided. Nothing like this in the UK for our parties activities. They could take some lessons here! The only decoration being motivational drawings of the campaign provided by many pupils and others who had wanted to put their thoughts about Obama into words.
One said "I Barackandroll every day", another "Barack is simply the BEST", or "Barack for our President," all expected, of course, but the outpouring of love and the sheer volume of it was both moving and unexpected. Just as well because the place would have been pretty depressing in some respects. No plush offices, no clear hierarchy of power, no men in suits, except for Ken Bennett, the state director, whom I bumped into looking like everyone else in humility and wonderment. He smiled cheerily at me in the never-ending queue of us waiting patiently for instructions and asked where I was from. Of course, I couldn't miss the opportunity to tell him how I had come all the way from England to be there on the phones! "That's impressive. There'll be a lot of work for you, especially," he said ominously, with a broad grin, just as he was waylaid by Mike Flannery and a camera crew from CBS wanting to do an interview and a shoot.
I also managed to see the inscrutable Malik while he was trying to get through the queue. The political director for Illinois could pass for a student. I hope I didn't stare at him too much in amazement. I just had to have a few words with him. Everyone had mixed feelings now, he said. On one hand, they want the elections over, but it is also an exciting moment which they will never have again, so they wanted to savour it and enjoy it too. "No matter what happens after this, it will never be the same as now," he said, wistfully. "But it is very hectic here now and I must dash." He seemed so young, so vulnerable and so...well...ordinary. Not like a big office holder in the UK. Yet he was spearheading the political part of the state campaign. Wow!
On The Phones The constant stream of rainbow people coming in by the minute was amazing to see. It just never stopped. One woman was on her lunch break. She wanted to do some phoning during that time. Another woman had been there all morning, She was just having a rest. It seemed to be about 40% men and 60% women, which was surprising at that time of day to see so many men devoting their time freely. No distrust here between the races. No angst, no racism, no fear. Just simple cooperation, trust, respect and mutual appreciation. Obama was certainly breaking down those barriers and teaching people how to work together for a common goal. Being together on a mission in such confined space would have changed perceptions somewhat. Most people there were on repeat days. They loved it and they didn't stop coming. Barack Obama's personal ambition has inadvertently ended up giving many unknown people the four most essential things they seek: to be significant, appreciated, valued and included, and you could see it in the joy on their faces as they waited.
I wasn't allowed to use my own cell phone, being from abroad, and they didn't have enough to go round but I didn't have to wait long and began my shift with a few butterflies in my stomach. I had to ask for volunteers to come in to ring key battleground states or to go to Indiana over the weekend to knock on doors and speak to people. I was fired up and ready to go!
I gingerly made my first call but I got a voice mail. Phew, that helped to steady the nerves. A few numbers had their mailbox full! I was not surprised. In fact, most of my list were obviously at work so I had to leave a prepared message, except that I cheekily slipped in a line of my own that said I had come all the way from the UK to give a hand so I hope they would come and join me on the phone as I would love to have their company! What they will make of that, and my accent, when they hear it, only heaven knows, but I began to smile. It felt good hearing all the other cheerful voices in the room saying their little spiels, cajoling, recording, or thanking parties for their support. I was certainly among friends. I began to relax but was still only leaving voicemails.
Hitting The Jackpot I was beginning to despair of ever speaking to someone when, halfway through the list, I hit gold! I rang the next gentleman in line and his daughter answered. No, her father couldn't help, she said, as he was not well. However, her husband wanted to help and she would call him. His name was Evens and he came on the phone, marvelled immediately that I didn't have an American accent, then proceeded to complain that he had always wanted to do something but no one had called him.
I apologised profusely explaining how short-staffed the campaign was, which is why everyone like him was needed! When I asked if he could go to Indiana, oh, yes, he said. He would do two shifts on his day. Would he bring anyone with him? Yes, about seven people. "No, make that 12," he added, "I don't want to miss anyone off the list from my church. Perhaps I should get a carrier and bring more," he said, half to himself. "Put me down for 20 friends. There are many people I know who want to help and this is the last weekend. We might as well make the effort. I''ll ring back later to give their names and details."
I couldn't thank him enough for making my day!
Another round of voice messages followed and just as I was on my last call I heard another human voice. Gosh, I was pleased. It belonged to someone called Lorraine. There was a child crying in the background who refused to be pacified as she tried vainly to talk to me. "Just a minute," she requested and took him aside, but nothing doing. He screamed even louder. She must have taken him into another room because the noise was distant. "I am so sorry," she said. I told her that I should be the one apologising having rung at the wrong time. We laughed together and she said she definitely wanted to do a phone bank shift as she couldn't do the journey to canvass. I gave her the necessary details and was just about to say goodbye when she said. "Are you British?" Yes, I said, smiling. "You've come all the way from there to help us?" she asked with some surprise. "Yes," I replied, rather proudly.
"Oh, my goodness! God bless you, girl! You are some lady. God bless you so much and keep you safe. Welcome to Chicago and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. Thank you. You inspire me, girl. I've got to get on those phones but I must see to my kid. God bless you."
I was so busy listening to her I didn't realise that a few tears had fallen on to my list. Tears of sheer joy and amazement at hearing the passion and genuine care in this stranger's voice. Two people from different countries who were joined by a dream, and inspired by a vision of how one person could make a great difference to our world. But, right now, we were making a difference to each other. I felt incredibly proud of my afternoon's work.
I filled out my sheet with a smug smile, while still dabbing uncontrollable tears from my eyes: 39 calls made (the number allocated per shift), 4 people answered, 2 YES, 2 MAYBE, 17 messages left. Value of experience: Priceless!
I momentarily remembered the $62 spent. What $62? Suddenly money was the last thing on my mind. I would be back tomorrow for two shifts, even if I had to go hungry!
Noting political differences and much wind in the Windy City! (Day3) - Live from Chicago!
Gosh, it is cold! I am just getting used to my surroundings now and taking in the different atmosphere to home and I never realised it would be so cold, even though the sun is piercingly bright. What is causing the problem is the wind, the kind I haven't felt in England for a long time. Now I can see why they call Chicago the Windy City. It's a wind that lashes the unsuspecting body, totally negating the effect of the sun, and if it's coming full frontal, that's quite another experience!
Last night when I had finished my third stint of phone banking, I got talking to someone sitting next to me, a young man called Dan, who couldn't have been more than about 28 years old. We clicked immediately because of our zany sense of humour, easy laughter and irreverent manner, and he kept marvelling at how I was there in the thick of it, though not being an American. But I was not really unique, as I discovered. I met people from Denmark, from the Netherlands (who thought Barack was so 'inspirational') from France and from Italy, who were there every day for many hours each day. Even though the Italian could hardly speak English, he was enjoying his data entry which he did continuously without a murmur. It was pretty motivational to see the level of commitment among all the volunteers, both national and international, regardless of the amount of work they had to do, and it was never-ending. For one person to engender such passion, loyalty, commitment and enthusiasm from across the world, he really had to be very special.
Despite the huge age gap, Dan and I enjoyed an easy rapport and learnt a lot from each other on cultural and political differences, especially how Barack Obama is really firing up the youth in an unseen way. Over a couple of cokes he pointed out that he had quite a few friends who had never taken the slightest interest in elections before, who had never talked politics and who had no time for the 'issues', suddenly wanting to discuss them at length, to work on the phones, to help in any way they could and, most of all, were following the progress of the campaign with the keenest of interest. These were guys who had been immersed in their own worlds before (all White) gradually turning into political pundits. He couldn't understand it himself but Barack had made politics 'hot' and 'interesting' again, he enthused with a devilish grin.
Barack might have made the biggest impression on him and his friends, but not so much on his mother who would still be voting for McCain! In fact, another young man had told me that he couldn't stay at his grandmother's house until after the elections because she was firmly for McCain and he was for Obama, and they would only argue about it without either convincing the other, so he would stay at his brother's instead!
A Question of Privacy Britain might have a reputation for intrusive street cameras which give the impression of Big Brother everywhere. But that is such a misleading impression of our island because an Englishman's home is still his castle, i:e once inside our houses, we are very private people. We seldom give out our phone numbers to anyone, and, even if we do give details to the political parties we join, they cannot ring us at all for any reason, unless we ask them to.
In fact, I told Dan that the most fascinating observation for me, as a Brit, is how Americans bewail the lack of privacy and constantly seek such privacy, on one hand, but were the most intrusive society I had seen, on the other. For example, NO political activity can pass your door in the UK. No one is allowed to ring you at home to discuss any kind of issues or to encourage you to vote for anyone. Parties may send you leaflets or contact you by email. However, apart from the odd sales call which you can opt out of too, no political calls are allowed. In fact, in September, the Liberal Democrats were told to end the robocalls they were trialling to 250,000 homes by the Information Commissioner as they "broke privacy rules". They had to stop or face prosecution after a number of people complained about them! So we are light years away from the American type of intrusive activities, thank goodness!
Secondly, Brits are still rather quaint in their attitude to voting in that one's voting intentions are almost like a sexual taboo: they are not discussed with anyone else, not even one's partner, unless one wishes it. One simply turns up on the day, places one's vote and that is the end of the matter. Not worth discussing, and not worth getting worked up about. This could be because people are really voting for the party, not the individual, as such, though a great representative will attract more votes for the party. So, apart from the survey polls, there are usually no other indications of how people will vote because only the party faithfuls attend rallies, which has often led to some huge surprises after polling. Politicians do use all kinds of advertisements and stump speeches to anyone who might wish to hear them. But billboard and TV advertising tend to be the main political persuaders for Britons.
The ease with which phone numbers are exchanged in America, especially for the media, is a source of envy for us Brits because, apart from the general numbers given out to the public, we would be hard pressed to learn a personal number or contact for any editor or senior media person! I think it is because most Britons are generally placid people who do not get too worked up over many things and so take life in our stride without too much fuss until we sense an injustice!
Then that's an entirely different matter!
Why the notion of valuing true diversity is a false and uncomfortable one!
Many people who know me and my pioneering equality work in the UK will find this post, in particular, rather strange, and might, in fact, fall off their chairs in some surprise! But that is the beauty of evolving in life from one stage to another. If we are learning, we are always developing and always changing perspectives. If we are entrenched in what we believe and have closed minds, we've stopped learning and are in danger of solidifying into fossilised rocks of dubious certainty. It has to be far more exciting to learn!
Being on a holiday in Chicago by myself has allowed for a lot of free thinking time and I believe the most profound thought I might have had on the whole trip was triggered by a comment from a member of an online diversity group I had joined. Some members had not taken kindly to comments by two other French members and had blasted them somewhat for their views. One member, in particular was so upset by this, she wrote:
"I am very disenchanted with a group entitled Diversity for Obama that does not welcome diverse comments from its members and does not stop to think that everyone may not be familiar with email etiquette."
She had made an excellent point which immediately gave me a new insight into my own work, as I had spent the last 15 years advocating diversity in very strong terms. Retired from it now, it was easier to see the wood from the trees and appreciate that accepting true diversity, not the cosmetic form like our recent 'Black History Month' etc., actually comes with a cost for each group/individual.
The problem with a desire for diversity is that the ideal usually falls far short of the reality. We are basically selfish in our cultural and social needs and genuinely fear difference. Hence diversity tends to be only acceptable when it conforms to our expectations, does not appear threatening and reinforces our cultural perceptions and beliefs!! Thus diversity is fine, but only from a detached and comfortable position, as we each vigorously protect our own corners. The minute that diversity encroaches on our specific values and traditions, questions our beliefs or challenges what we cherish, it ceases to be attractive and causes us to feel vulnerable and exposed.
In essence, the current notion of diversity as practised by the majority communiy, in particular, is simply monoculturalism in a slightly extended form!
The False Concept of Diversity In fact, the whole concept of welcoming diversity is a false one because, for each species, gender, type etc., to survive, as is, each has to protect its own culture. The minute it allows for genuine diversity to encroach, it has to accommodate, and even integrate, the culture, needs and expectations of others, which then dilutes what was there in the first place and even challenges its traditions and beliefs. However, if the additional diverse entity is broadly similar, then the reverse happens: it strengthens what was there originally, while giving it new perspectives.
What is pretty clear about acknowledging, appreciating and valuing diversity in any genuine way is that each cultural group has to be prepared to respect other groups, accept parts of what they value and even integrate some of their customs to accord that respect. How many people are prepared to lose what they already have and hold dear to accommodate the expectations, traditions and beliefs of others? After all, we simply cannot appreciate, value or celebrate what we are not prepared to practise ourselves. For example, immigrant minorities in the UK are expected to learn English and be able to speak it, but having any knowledge of their language is not even addressed by the majority, which immediately negates an integral part of their culture!
That is why, in any mixed society, genuine diversity has mainly been practised by minority groups. They have had to integrate or assimilate the majority culture in order to be accepted, respected and valued, to feel included and psychologically comfortable in their identity. On the other hand, members of the majority can afford to deal with such diversity in a detached way, to pay lip service, in fact, while continuing with business as usual, because their culture, group, association etc., sets the standards, the laws, the goalposts, the decorum and the protocol of acceptance for everyone else to follow.
In essence, minority groups that crave inclusion practise diversity by having to accommode aspects of majority culture while members of the majority can take it or leave it and are often untouched by it.
The whole concept and promotion of diversity is a fine and noble one, but unless everyone is prepared to lose some of their cultural heritage and beliefs, true diversity will always remain a luxurious pipe dream, especially to majority groups with the power to avoid practising it, while being an imposition to minorities who are impotent to avoid its diluting and inevitably absorbing effects.
That is why cultural celebrations like 'Black History Month', which are aimed at educating the majority while valuing diversity, will always remain peripheral to majority culture until there is a genuine desire to actively accommodate other cultures by moving beyond words and actually practising the ideal in some respects.
