The 2018 FIFA World Cup has ended with France as the winner. During the Cup, there were bars all over America packed with Americans proudly rooting on their country of national origin. Throughout, Americans proudly celebrate their heritage. For example, Italians proudly represent Italy through their food, among other things. Mexicans do the same with Mexico, and of course, the Irish show their pride on St. Patrick’s day. As with the St. Patrick day parade, all major cities have numerous parades and celebrations throughout the year. There is the West Indian day carnival, Greek Independence Day parade, National Tartan Day Parade, which celebrates Scotland’s day of independence, Chinese New Year festival, and many others in NYC alone. This diversity is really what has made America great, as Martin Luther King Jr. stated.

“individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

Diversity isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. It is America’s signature, people of all cultures rising above their concerns to create, innovate, and overcome obstacles to move this country forward. America is at its best when it seeks diverse points of view and looks for new insights.

Yet today, there is a growing sediment among a segment of America who wants to rebuke this diversity. Their weakness is the desire to surround themselves with people who look and think like them. Afraid to learn about other races and cultures rather content to remain isolated and stoke their prejudices based on a fear of the unknown. As Captain Kirk said

“The prejudices people feel about each other disappear when they get to know each other.” 

This fear of diversity and is counter to the idea of what America was meant to be. At the beginning of America’s Declaration of Independence, these words are written: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” The keyword is All, not some. Not only those from (insert country) or sexual orientation or cultural background, and while this country has often struggled to live up to those words, it has embraced them enough to make it the country it is today. We must continue to move forward with the concept of diversity, not step back and isolate ourselves. Isolation only leads to a society that stifles creativity and innovation and eventually withers away and dies.