April is Celebrate Diversity Month
Diversity — the condition of having or being composed of differing elements (Diversity definition & meaning 2023). Internationally, people celebrate diversity in different locations and in multiple ways, including language and mannerisms. According to the National Today website, this month is “to recognize and honor the diversity of the world around us. It is a time to recognize and understand our differences, be it gender, race, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, and other factors, while honoring the common essence of humanity.” Looking at history, even back to the Mesozoic Era, “the dinosaur era,” you can see that diversity existed even then. There were different species that all lived together. Plants, animals, dinosaurs, insects, and much more differed in many ways. Fast forward to today, the world is way more diverse than in the Mesozoic Era.
A diverse today for a better tomorrow
Recognizing, creating, and sharing space and celebrating diversity today could mean we are creating a better tomorrow for all, not just humankind. When we acknowledge the diversity of ourselves and humanity, we can also create space for other existing “things,” such as plants, animals, and even rocks! “The root of all the world’s problems is the refusal to appreciate others. It is natural for humans to fear what they don’t know. Thus, Celebrate Diversity Month pushes us to seek this knowledge so that we can build a tolerant world that welcomes everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from.” (Celebrate diversity month 2022)
How can you celebrate Diversity Month with the rest of us? The nationaltoday.com/celebrate-diversity-month has some great suggestions:
- Be considerate to everyone. The point of celebrating diversity is to respect and appreciate everyone, no matter where they come from or the color of their skin. Treating people with an equal amount of respect and consideration is what makes it work and doing so creates a better world for all.
- Listen to people from other cultures. Some of the world’s most urgent problems stem from the fact that minorities tend to not feel as represented or as listened to as the majority. If you have colleagues or coworkers who feel like their concerns are not being heard, listen to what they have to say, and help them get their points across to those who have trouble listening. If we can foster more inclusive work and social environments, then we are one step closer to achieving global harmony.
- Learn more about different cultures and lifestyles. It helps to learn about different cultures for you to understand them further. Many of the problems in the world come from a lack of understanding and empathy for different cultures. Interacting with other cultures or those living different lifestyles than yours can help eradicate those misunderstandings.
You are, by nature, diverse
As individuals, we are diverse, even if we are part of a community, family, or group. We all don’t look or sound alike, we don’t walk the same, we don’t think the same, and we all see and experience things differently. This is diversity at a fundamental level. This month, we challenge you to go bigger, think bigger, and learn and listen to others who don’t sound, look, or believe as you do. Find the small things to celebrate. When we can see the little positive and healthy nuggets in a world of judgment and even discrimination, we can find the beauty diversity creates. We can find the beauty of growth and creativity within ourselves when we think and look outside the box. So, we invite you to welcome the season of spring, rebirth, and change into your lives by looking at the world with curious eyes. I’d like to know what you’ll find and see.
It’s okay not to feel okay
Reminder: If you need to talk to someone, please reach out. Please contact us if you or someone you know has been struggling with their emotions, behaviors, or substance use. We can help you find appropriate tools and services that could help you overcome obstacles in your life. We are here for you. Don’t hesitate to contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division or the Native Connections Program at 970.563.5700 for more information or to set up an appointment to see a counselor or therapist. Or you can call the NEW Nationwide Suicide and Substance Use Crisis line: 9-8-8 #988Lifeline
And for those interested in opioid use education, harm reduction, and support, please contact us for quick Naloxone (Narcan) training and fentanyl test strips. We can schedule individual, family, or friends training times at our Southern Ute Behavioral Health Building, or we can come to you, and the training is around 30 minutes. Please call us at 970-563-5700 to set up a training appointment.
Resources:
Celebrate diversity month. National Today. (2022, October 21). Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://nationaltoday.com/celebrate-diversity-month/
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Diversity definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity