It seems to me that there are two prevailing mindsets at work in our country today. One is suspicious of anyone who is different--religion, race, sexual orientation, to name some of the biggies, though it can come down to something as ridiculous as which brand of mayo, or whether you like grits.
This mindset can feel threatened by any lifestyle different than their own. For example, the folks who feel that gay marriage threatens the sanctity of straight marriage (already rather threatened by divorce and infidelity.) Or all the fuss over transgender folks in restrooms. The most dangerous though, in my opinion, are the "Christian" white nationalists who fear being "replaced" by people of color or of different religions.
The other mindset is more open to differences, happy to welcome various ethnicities (and their food!) and religions and even gender diversity. This mindset may not understand or wish to emulate the others--but it's willing at least to live and let live and and, at best, to see an opportunity to learn more about our magnificent, varied humankind.
No comments:
Post a Comment