Fear of Diversity and the Unknown
Appreciating, and cherishing, diversity can serve as a catalyst for positive change in the world. Unfortunately, with today’s never-ending news cycle, the average person need not peruse very long before the smoldering undercurrent of society’s intolerance towards diversity burns its way to the surface. In this case, diversity refers to a whole host of differences. Some of these differences include: race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, mental health status, political views, and so on. In truth, the list of potential differences is infinite.
For some people, encountering someone (or something) different than themselves sparks feelings of fear and apprehension. These feelings of uneasiness fuel the proliferation of indifference. Such apathy threatens to scorch the very fabric of society. Ultimately, renunciation of anyone (or anything) simply because they are different than oneself serves as a catalyst for Satan who continually seeks ways to destroy all God has created and holds dear, including the diversity of His creation.
Yes, fear is a powerful emotion. It can drive people to avoid people, things, and situations which are different. However, fear can also act as a catalyst for positive change. How? Well, inspiration can be found in the most unique ways!
Watching and Learning…Wasp Style
Making the most of a beautiful spring day, I carved out a cozy spot on my deck and settled in for a quiet moment of reading and relaxation. Being a huge dog lover, I carefully placed a bowl, filled with ice cubes floating atop lukewarm water, in a shady spot near my chair for my fur babies. Since the sun was out in full force that day, my dogs wasted no time in rushing to the bowl to lap up some much-needed canine liquid refreshment. Much to my chagrin, this did not last very long. Catching a glimpse of landscapers trimming on the other side of the fence, my dogs rushed down the deck stairs in whiplash fashion to remind the landscapers just whose yard they were approaching.
While watching my fur babies running back and forth along the fence in glorious conversation with the workers, I noticed a wasp swoop in and land beside their water bowl. My initial thought was to swing my arm and shoo it away from their bowl but, more importantly, away from me. From the earliest years of life, I have been warned to stay away from wasps. After all, they could be dangerous. Surprising myself, I refrained from a physical response, choosing simply to watch.
What I observed from such a tiny (albeit intimidating) creature reminded me of the importance of appreciating diversity. Sitting in complete silence, I watched the wasp with great interest. After it swooped in and landed beside the bowl, the wasp appeared to drink from a small pool of dribble left by my dogs. Once it had quenched its thirst, this tiny insect began stretching and washing each leg with meticulous care.
Watching the wasp and its need for self-care, I was struck with two realizations. My initial thought was how the wasp and I both share something in common. What?! Did I just say I have something in common with an insect? Simply put…yes. We all do. In fact, all living creation must have certain needs met for survival.
My second realization was a true epiphany! What if I had initially reacted out of a fear of our differences (i.e. its BIG stinger, for starters) and shooed it? I might have been successful at keeping the wasp away from me, but I would not have discovered what we share in common. The same can be said for people. If people exercise a knee-jerk reaction borne of fear, they may succeed at distancing those who are different. However, the unfortunate ramification is losing the opportunity to learn about commonalities.
A Childhood Story of When Diversity Was Viewed as a Threat
My younger sister, Becky, lived with the “disabling” effects of spina bifida. For the majority of her life, the physical impact of spina bifida rendered Becky unable to walk without the assistance of braces and crutches. Toward the end of her life, she was relegated to a wheelchair. These were the physical effects of her birth defect.
Although her physical struggles were challenging, Becky would probably say they paled in comparison to another, more “disabling,” aspect. Unfortunately, Becky also faced an emotional effect, borne out of others’ fears about diversity and the unknown (i.e. her disability). The emotional impact proved much more detrimental.
Throughout childhood and into adulthood, Becky encountered bullying and apathy from peers as well as adults. In every single instance, her grace and faith in God transcended the adversity.
Throughout elementary school, a young male student bullied her mercilessly every year without respite. In retrospect, this young man struggled with low self-esteem and desired to bring someone else down to his level of suffering. Unfortunately, my sister was the only student in the entire school with a physical disability. The. Only. One. (This was before schools began mainstreaming students with disabilities into the regular classroom setting instead of servicing them at separate schools.)
Because of her physical challenges, Becky often received extra attention in the form of assistance. This young man felt threatened by the amount of attention her disability required. Subsequently, he viewed her as an easy target due to her physical limitations. As a result, the harmful cycle of bullying began.
When the prepubescent bully realized that hurling a continuous barrage of name calling and insults at my sister would not break her positive spirit, he began targeting her personal property. One day at dismissal time Becky returned to her assigned coat hook to retrieve her purse. However, much to her surprise, all that remained was an empty hook. Her purse was missing!
After an exhaustive search, Becky’s purse was eventually located and the perpetrator identified. Yes, her tormentor was the guilty party. He had discarded her purse a block away from the school, leaving an assortment of personal items strewn along the side of the road.
Through it all, Becky maintained a belief that God has a plan for everyone, including her (despite her disability). This does not mean that tears were not shed. No. In fact, most of the time Becky kept her composure in the moment. She suppressed her feelings just long enough to return to her safe haven of home. Surrounded by the love and support of family, she would release the flood gates of pent-up emotion, sobbing amid waves of tears.
After drying her eyes, she would often smile and impart words of great wisdom for someone so young. Becky had perceptively discerned how people tend to make fun of things, and people, they do not understand. Such behaviors are an attempt to keep others at a distance out of fear of diversity. What grit! Boy, I was learning a lot from my younger sister in those moments!
A Shocking Story of What Happens When Fear of Diversity Persists into Adulthood
Unfortunately, I believe one of the most heinous examples, encountered by my sister, occurred in high school. One day, she had a substitute teacher in science. The students were instructed to complete some seatwork. When Becky had a question, she approached the substitute for assistance. According to Becky’s recounting of the event, the substitute glanced at her and said rather matter-of-factly, “You need to stick with your own kind. Go back and sit down. I am trying to help someone right now.”
Stick with your own kind. Really?! You are probably thinking that there is absolutely no way an adult would speak to a teenager, or anyone for that matter, in this way. Well, as the victim’s sister I am here to tell you that this incident was all too real.
Upon returning home that day, Becky reported what happened. Afterward, she cried inconsolably for the remainder of the day. For me, this injustice served as a poignant moment, wrapped in a life lesson. Becky always said people say and do hurtful things because they do not understand the person or situation. Essentially, diversity (in the form of Becky’s disability, in this case) had been perceived as a threat. Such a dangerous misperception illustrates how fear of diversity (of any kind) can drive people to act in harmful ways all in an attempt to keep those who are different at a distance.
Living Authentically into How God Views Diversity
Fear is a powerful emotion. Yes, it can drive people to avoid people, things, and situations which are different. However, fear can also act as a catalyst for positive, lasting change.
Looking back, if I had had a knee-jerk reaction to keep the wasp away from me out of fear, then I would have missed the precious reminder about the beauty of diversity and how it should be appreciated, and cherished. Likewise, I would have missed the opportunity to acknowledge all we have in common. In contrast, my sister Becky’s experiences serve as a stark reminder of how quickly fear of diversity can enter a situation, wreaking havoc and leaving emotional destruction in its wake.
In truth, each of us is God’s special creation, including you, dear friend. Therefore, our unique, individual differences are by design. His design. Our diversity is by design. His design.
Since we are His first, then we must look to Scripture for guidance on how He wants us to approach diversity in all its forms. The good news is God does provide a roadmap.
When the Lord was preparing to replace Saul as King of Israel, he spoke to the prophet Samuel. Scripture tells us He said, “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7, NIV). God was clear on how He views the diversity He created and where true value resides. Now, how can we live into His message?
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
Scripture tells us God places value on a person’s heart and not their outward appearance. He also acknowledges we, as infallible people, struggle with valuing what we cannot see. Instead, we opt for the superficial, outward appearance because it is easier to observe.
God, as Our Creator, knows our weaknesses. As Our Father, He longs to guide us to a clearer way of seeing. What if each of us pauses and makes a conscious effort to “see” diversity as God does. Look beyond the outer differences and into what truly matters…the heart. Maybe. Just maybe…we will gain a better awareness of our commonalities. Who knows? We might even discover an appreciation for diversity in a most unique way!