DIVERSITY

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Derek Bok.

Earlier today I was in a public service vehicle heading home, suddenly, I heard the driver making fun of a guy crossing the road. The guy was of very short stature than most, may have been at most 3 feet and something which in essence is an extreme case of a condition termed as Dwarfism. I'm sure you may recall hearing of this word before. Maybe in a Biology genetic class? Or from a movie? However, if you are hearing it from the first time here's a piece of brief information about it.

Dwarfism is a condition characterized by short stature of four feet or less.. It's broadly categorized into two ie proportionate and disproportionate dwarfism. The most common causes are related to genetics ie chromosomal abnormalities. Other causes may be due to hormonal inadequacies and at times the cause isn't very clear. I will not bother you with too many details but in your own time, you can read about it. If you are not in the medical field kindly follow the link https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dwarfism.html. It is a reputable site with information that one can easily comprehend. I am sure you will thank me later.



So back to the driver, let us call him Mr X. His actions got me thinking; Are we aware of our actions towards other people? Is it a case of superiority complex that we treat others like lesser human beings for being different? Do we ever take the time to actually think through the words in our mind before we utter them? What do these words communicate about ourselves? Once we truly understand this, it then shall form a basis for all our humane activities for humanity is not just about people collectively, but it is about understanding the kind actions towards other people.


Day in day out we interact with people from all walks of life which is a very interesting phenomenon. Not so long ago diversity was a thing we often used to hear of and not really visualize. (At this point I am hoping my generation is not just restricted to Millenials). Diversity may be in the form of different religions, races, levels of economic empowerment, sexual orientation etc. With so many things being different around us, it, therefore, generates a need for us to be conscious of our words and actions towards each other.



Over 60years ago an American psychologist by the name Abraham Maslow stated that, for an individual to grow, some needs have to be met. He then generated a five-tier need pyramid and among them was love and belonging. In love and belonging tier, he deduced that for one to attain it one must feel like they belong. A lot more data has been generated by different psychologists and they all point towards the same conclusion "how we treat each other is of great importance."

How then can we improve ourselves so as to make coexistence easier despite our differences?


1. Desire to change the narrative

For us to be more tolerant of each other's differences, we first must be willing to recognize that first, we are different,  then secondly, be willing to put in the work for peaceful coexistence.


2..Nature versus nurture

To elucidate nature are our inherent behaviours while nurture are learned behaviours. For any individual who is in a position to influence change on a younger person should keep this theory in mind. Kindly follow the link for more information https://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html

3. Guard your mouth

Not every word that is thought should be said. A prolific Ghanaian author called Ernest Yeboah once said "We fail to say the right words because we choose to say the wrong words! We choose to say the wrong words because we fail to think about the right words!”
Always ask yourself, " Is what I am about to say enriching to this conversation or not" because most times we are so quick to speak when exploring issues from a very ignorant perspective.

4. Educate yourself

Take the time to understand things first. Study extensively different things so as not to propagate false ideologies and concepts. I'm vexed every time one makes jokes or comments on people derive their pleasure in growing long beards. Personally, I find ignorant when people make Jihhadist jokes. Despite the recipient laughing it off most times. It is a very offensive thing to say no matter how lightly we take it. Please watch the following video for more information on how to avoid selective religious bias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF5BHcOcNJA . Educate yourself on simple practices among different cultures for instance like which hand to use during communal meals because in some use of the left hand is considered offensive.

5. We are all equal


No matter where we come from, blood flows in our veins. Being different doesn't make one more valuable than the other. The moment we believe we are, then we forget that we survive by chance for tomorrow is never guaranteed.

In conclusion, “Let us know our differences! Let us understand our differences! Let us know and understand that we are all different people with different differences! We all have different differences that are not all that different! Understanding is the matter! When we get to know and understand our differences well, we shall least spit on each other just because of our differences!”
 Ernest Agyemang Yeboah