In many aspects of our lives, we all prefer having a variety of choices. These choices drive our purchasing habits. We ask, Which item has the best value and quality? Considering all the possibilities is an important and enjoyable part of making an informed decision.
When shopping for clothes, I can’t seem to get enough ties since they give a fresh appearance to the suits I wear regularly. And how many pairs of shoes does your wife or girlfriend need for her outfits? This diversity of selection makes our wardrobe better.
We all want lots of options when eating out. The question we often hear or ask is, Where do you want to go eat? A suggestion typically is followed by, Sorry but I already ate there this week. Why is variety in food so important to us? A great meal would taste just as good if we ate it repeatedly, wouldn’t it?
Diversity is imperative in the business world every member of an office team has a role to play that is unique. This diversity of talent is vital to effective operation.
Diverse thoughts and ideas often transform a healthy debate or school discussion into something enlightening. Our differences often help us to sharpen our views and allow us to determine what we really value.
Even in the music industry, artists always work to create a groundbreaking sound or style, something that helps them stand out. A unique sound can create a star overnight.
Diversity has long been a strength the United States has used to enrich its society. Recently I visited Washington D.C. and had the opportunity to tour the Capital building. The tour started with a short film, and the narration began with the phrase, E pluribus unum, Latin for “out of many one.” This mantra appears on the Seal of the United States and was adopted by an Act of Congress in 1782.
Originally suggesting that out of many colonies or states emerge a single nation, this phrase also suggests that out of many peoples, races, religions and ancestries has emerged a single people and nation, a melting pot and a community.
So why is it difficult for some to view ethnic diversity from a positive perspective?
In 2005 Mayor Rowland started a task force to establish an organization that would help Cleveland embrace its own diversity. I had the opportunity to see that group form the non-profit organization now called Ocoee Region Multicultural Services (ORMS). Cleveland is becoming more diverse every day. In the 2006 census, it was reported that people from 62 nations now call Cleveland home.
Globalization and the internet have created the need for preparing our youth to communicate and compete in an international market.
ORMS opened the new Mosaic Center in January 2009 to help build a sense of community among Clevelands diverse citizens. The mission of ORMS is to encourage interaction between various groups in the community. ORMS has supported area schools with language translation through the support of interpreters. The ability to communicate is essential to finding a common ground and building a stronger community.
ORMS is set to host a town hall forum on January 22 which will bring community leaders together from the business, education and religion sectors of our community to discuss how diversity is impacting Cleveland.
Cleveland is filled with hundreds of legal immigrants who run successful businesses and bring many enriching thoughts and practices to our community. Each month ORMS spotlights a local immigrant leader during its board meeting. Many of these individual stories have been featured in the Banner.
Appreciating diversity is so much more important than focusing on illegal immigration in the U.S. Unfortunately, illegal immigration seems to get more attention from our politicians and media than the positive contributions immigration has made to our country. Our great nation has been built on the ability to embrace new faces and ideas, and I believe this same attitude is necessary to help Cleveland to become an even better place to live in the future.
Gary T. Ray
ORMS Board Chairman
