Diversity Will Require Something More

I have a diverse group of friends and associates because I intentionally engage people from various communities. I have had a lot of closed doors but I am proud to say my community is diverse. I have spent most of my life living in racially diverse communities. In fact up until about 12 years ago when I lived in Bronzeville for 3 years I had always lived in a racially diverse community. For people in my age group and those younger this is a rarity. Perhaps it says much. Perhaps it says very little.

I can remember when I first came to Chicago to go to graduate school. It seemed to me whenever I socialized with white folks all they would talk about was their animals. Now you need to know my background to maybe understand why this was such a struggle. In my home in Virginia, animals, including dogs and cats, lived outside year round. It was treason for an animal to step foot inside a home. Carrying an animal in for medical problems or getting shots didn't happen. Dogs and cats got leftovers and special animal food was a rarity. That's just the way things were. So now I'm sitting with these folks who are talking about their dogs and cats with such passion and life. I am at a lost for words and it becomes impossible to find an entry into these conversations. I was soon on a mental plane out at these gatherings wondering when the night would end. When friends would ask me to come to the party I would share with closer friends I wasn't interested in talking about cats and dogs.

Now I'm sure this was not all "they" talked about but it's all I can remember. It sure dominated the conversation. And it left an imprint on my mind that has stayed with me to this day. So what' the point? That was the first title of this blog, "The Point." The point is for those committed to racial diversity (meaningful relationships with people of different race/ethnic groups) it is sometimes hard to find our entry point and sometimes we use that as an excuse to not engage those that are different from us. I'm reminded of one of my white friends who when hanging out with my black friends tells me I do not know what you all are talking about. You go into this dialect and I have no clue what you all are saying. It's frustrating for her and she feels left out like I did at those graduate school parties. Lets admit it different cultures have different ways of existing which can make us feel left out. Whether it's the topic or the language it will require something more of those of us who are committed to living in a diverse world.

The other night I was at a gathering with a racially mixed group. Towards the end of the night the Latinos congregated together and began singing some revolution songs in Spanish. I loved the music and so I made my way on over there. It was a spanish singing and spanish speaking moment. I did not understand one word but I swayed and allowed the spirit to sweep me away. It was still a little awkward. I didn't know how they felt about my presence. Eventually one sister came over and asked me if I spoke Spanish. She shared the words to the song. Then they played a song I know, "La Bamba." It was on. I could have stayed in my own comfort zone. We can all stay in our comfort zone. In fact many of us do. I left feeling glad I had ventured out.

Because this is my blog I can make generalizations and hope someone challenges me on my stuff. That said, multicultural/multiracial is often a word I hear white liberals sport. Some blacks are suspicious of the word. Liberal whites speak it so well and they share how important it is to them. But if you follow them closely like look at their gatherings or better yet check their facebook page out and with the exception of a few token non-whites you wonder if diversity stole away in the night. They take nice mission trips to Latin, Central and South America. They are concerned about the environment, and animals, etc. They love to cultivate their global awareness. They teach ASL classes, etc. but when it comes to reaching out to Black America, reaching out to the folks they still owe 40 acres and a mule to I find them lacking. Some will say I didn't do anything and I shouldn't be held responsible for what my ancestors did. To that I say you benefit from the privilege without any complaints. I don't hear them saying don't treat me so well because I don't deserve special treatment because of what my ancestors did in America. But I'm getting away from my point and my point is this - while multicultural is a word with so much potential for it to be a reality it takes intentionality i.e. moving beyond our comfort zones to have a conversation about cats. It takes more than interest it takes commitment. It takes more than a night of wine and cheese it takes us. Diversity requires something more!