Essay On Diversity In America

Does America Cherish Diversity Essay
Diversity in America has been a growing problem lately; and due to recent events, you have every right to be skeptical. Events such as the Oscars shortlist have led many people to believe that America truly does have a diversity problem. But it seems that a majority of those people don’t fully understand the opposing side. I believe that America does cherish its diversity because that is why this country is where it is today.

Long ago when George Washington became president, he had an idea to change the future of America. He said, “The Government of the United States… gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should

demean themselves as good citizens.” (Making The Future Better Together). By this he meant that citizens of this new nation are to be treated like equals, no matter where they are from, or what they believe. That they would be encouraged to make friends with their fellow citizens who may be of other backgrounds, and to contribute to their society. I agree with Eboo Patel when he states that Washington’s words define the essence of our nation, as it was built on the idea that although we may be different, we are equal.

Washington had many good reasons for his ideas.

His outlook on diversity is actually more in-depth than some may think. Washington took his ideas for diversity with him to his private life. One day, when seeking a carpenter, he said, “If they are good workmen, they may be of Asia, Africa, or Europe. They may be Mohometans, Jews or Christians, or they may be Atheists.” (Making The Future Better Together). Basically, what Washington was trying to say was that it does not matter who does the job, but how well it gets done. This is the case with most Americans these days also. They need a job done, so they call someone with the expertise, and that’s it. This relates to diversity because certain people of certain races may be better at things than people of other races. Without these people, America would not be in the shape it is in today, and we would be left with learning how to do jobs ourselves. Now, some may argue that we should do jobs ourselves, a way to be truly independent, as we are said to be. Although this can be considered a valid point, why do something ourselves, when we can have it done professionally at a cost? Helping others while helping ourselves. Working together and uniting as one, how we were meant to be all

along.

Media plays a large role in our lives as Americans. It is designed to bring us close, even when we may be far. The idea behind this nation can be described the same way. Even when we are far, in a sense of different customs, races, beliefs, we are close because we are united. Many may argue that media is not diverse enough. They took the Oscars shortlist as an example, which consisted of all white males and no females, and automatically thought there was a diversity problem throughout Hollywood. These people fail to realize that this hasn’t happened since 1998, and it all comes down to who is responsible for the nomination. An obvious reason to support America’s diversity is that our current president is black. Who better to set an example of this country’s diversity than someone who can be described as different? At this point, it’s just common sense.

In short, diversity in America is important to have because it is what allows the citizens to come together to achieve great things. If America didn’t have diversity, then it would not be where it is today. We have achieved great things through coming together and uniting with one common goal, to make the future better.