My Diverse World

I live in Gwinnett County, one of the fastest growing counties in terms of diversity. I love that I can eat at local restaurants and eat food from around the world. Especially street tacos with homemade corn tortillas. I have neighbors that are of different nationalities. They are Mexican, African, Asian, Black, White, Central and South American. I love our little community. I feel that we all get along. It is fun to see our kids play together. They don’t see skin color, religion, ethnicity, disabilities or income bracket. The kids’ pure hearts allow them to learn acceptance of others. 

My children are biracial. I am white and their father is black. Diversity is very important to them. I want them to see positive images so that they see themselves in the changing world. I love that their bookshelves and dolls represent the world in which they live in. As their parent, I must facilitate their education to include topics that are important to them. I teach them that they should treat others like they want to be treated. 

I am learning that diversity includes people with disabilities, both physical and mental. My three-year-old son has a sensory processing disorder, autism and is nonverbal. He is considered a special needs child. Since his diagnosis, I know now not to put labels on people and limit them to their conditions. After all, a wise friend said to me, “Labels are for jars, not people.” My love for my child has grown deeper and I have learned to accept him for who he is. I am now part of a great community of momma bears. These women teach me resilience and strength. I couldn’t imagine my world without these women. 

Martin Luther King Jr’s main objective with his “I Have A Dream” speech was that everyone is treated equal and have equal rights. I see things changing for the better for all people.  There is still much work to be done. Embracing diversity enriches my life. I am more empathetic, educated and inspired by people who are different from me. My “dream” is that my kids will carry on his dream and that they will see even greater changes for the better in their lifetime.