Diversity 2021

The new year beckons us to a fresh future. New possibilities. Potential unlimited. What will we do with it?

Hope should draw us toward full inclusion of all of us in the doing of life, making more possible, and accomplishments worthy of our effort.

Long ago women were included in the workplace. Reluctantly but it happened. Much of this happened because of World War II and the absence of male workers in our factories. Those men were in the military fighting the war. So, women were hired to take their place. The rest is history. Women changed the workforce and expanded society’s ability to achieve and produce.

Years later we cannot imagine a labor force without women. Their intellectual gifts alone are reason enough to have included them. Craft, imagination, persistent effort, and much more is the legacy of women in the workforce. They are the equal or better than men.

Since World War II America’s labor force has expanded. Now we have ethnic, immigrant and cultural ingredients added to the stew of talents and potential. It is a rich brew that leads to discovery, invention and innovation. Diversity enriches. Diversity expands potential. Why we would avoid such benefits baffles me.

The new year should be the era that recognizes once and for all the beauty and value of diversity. It is a foundation stone of America. We are a nation of immigrants, of differentness. It is what makes us what we are. A melting pot that is of gold.

Let 2021 be a year of great strides in including all of us in the doings of our society.

Please make this happen. Be the beacon of change and acceptance. So, we can be all that we can be.

December 31, 2020