Oh, boy, it's July! July 5th and it's a hot day! I had intentions of doing this one earlier, but I suppose the July 4th Holiday excitement was early!
Well, here we are. June is gone and now it's July! I'll miss June and I'll explain why. June was a special full of important moments. June is a month that reminds me of how amazing it is that everyone is different in their own ways, making our world a colorful place.
June was Pride Month, a time to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. I know it's said that the month was for just the LGBTQ+ community, but I like to think it's about celebrating diversity as well, celebrating diverse people. It was about recognizing all kinds of differences in people whether it came to our skin color, our sexual identities or some other kind of identities or our cultural backgrounds and recognizing how we're all different in our own ways. Accepting the LGBTQ+ community is also about accepting everyone who's different.
It's perplexing how in 2025 today we're still being judged based on our differences. Did a black person choose to be black? Did a person born in America or some other country choose to be born there? Did a person choose to be born with Down's Syndrome? How could we judge them when they didn't even choose how they were born?
How is it fair to judge or hate a person just because they're different from us. Believe me, I bet many people considered changing themselves or who they are because of the hatred they've seen today. But that's not the answer. The answer is just embracing yourself and others. Only control what you can control.
There was also Juneteenth. This was the day on June 19th where we remember the struggles and the victories of African Americans and it's the day for pushing for fairness and equality. It celebrates history that can help us understand and do better today.
Change is difficult for many of us but just trying to change others because we don't like them or can't stand them only leads us to frustration and unmet expectations. If we try to change others, we miss out on self-awareness, our own personal growth and understanding. We miss out on learning about someone and therefore, it's difficult to work with them in the workplace, school and out in the community because we're just full of anger and frustration.
Those emotions can make it difficult to reach both personal and professional goals and experiencing those for a long period of time can cause us chronic stress and I think in today's world, we might have an idea what that chronic stress can do to our bodies! Holding onto the anger and frustration of others causes us to miss out on how wonderful our world really is!
Every June, we recognize that our differences aren't weaknesses, but they are strengths enriching communities, fostering creativity and promoting growth. When I was in college, knew of a person who didn't like someone who was from the LGBT+ community, but they learned a lot about that person and found out many interesting things they didn't know!
I'm happy to say the person continued to live happier and continued to teach others that it's ok to be different, without abandoning their own personal identities. When that person held onto a lot of hatred and anger, their family spent less time with him and his romantic relationship ended abruptly, which drove him into depression for an extended period of time before he realized how much his attitudes affected him personally and professionally.
The important message is simple: love and accept each other, no matter who we are or what makes us different. Hatred and judging others are wrong because no one asks to be born a certain way or to have certain experiences. Everyone deserves kindness and respect, even if they seem different from us.
Let’s learn from each other, celebrate what makes us unique, and work toward a world where everyone feels safe, valued, and accepted. Be true to yourself and encourage others to do the same. Don't change because you are enough! People worry about losing their identities like their belief systems and how their parents raised them, fearing they'll be rejected if they change. Don't fear what you're losing but embrace what you're gaining!
As we go forward, remember what June taught us. Let those lessons guide how we treat others, help us build a more caring and inclusive world, and inspire us to make a positive difference for everyone.
FAQs
Why is celebrating diversity important?
Celebrating diversity enriches our lives by exposing us to different perspectives, experiences, and cultures. It fosters empathy, understanding, and creativity, leading to stronger communities and a more inclusive world.
What can I do to promote acceptance and inclusivity?
You can start by educating yourself about different cultures and identities, challenging your own biases, and speaking out against prejudice and discrimination. Support organizations that promote equality and inclusivity and actively create spaces where everyone feels welcome and respected.
How can I be my authentic self?
Being your authentic self involves understanding and accepting your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs. Embrace your unique qualities, pursue your passions, and don't be afraid to express yourself honestly and openly.
What should I do if I witness someone being discriminated against?
If you feel safe, intervene by speaking up against the discrimination, offering support to the person being targeted, and reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities or organizations. If you don't feel safe intervening directly, find other ways to support the person being targeted and report the incident.
How can I teach children about diversity and inclusion?
Start early by exposing children to diverse books, toys, and media. Talk to them about differences in a positive and age-appropriate way and encourage them to interact with people from different backgrounds. Model inclusive behavior and challenge any biased or discriminatory comments or actions they may make. No one is born hating a person. Hate is taught. So is love. Teach love and acceptance if you wish to raise a compassionate generation. Raising such a generation frees you from the burden of hatred, conflicts, division and even chronic stress and violence!
Nelson Mandela was arrested because he believed violence was the answer to fighting back apartheid laws. Once released, he realized that reconciliation and forgiveness was how we can attain a more peaceful society. It's difficult to change when we feel most vulnerable because it's uncomfortable and sometimes, even risky because of societal norms. We may feel powerless if we change our beliefs and start being more accepting of others. Change is a slow process, and we can get to that point once we realize the negative impact of prejudices that actually harms us.
How about choosing kindness over judgment and love over fear? Every one of us has the power to make a positive difference. That's whether it’s by offering a kind word, standing up for someone who’s being treated unfairly (that's easier said than done sometimes, right? Consider what's really important to you when you answer that) or simply embracing the beautiful diversity that makes our world special. I ask of you now to think about how you can foster more acceptance and understanding in your daily life. Together, we can create a more inclusive, loving community, one small act of kindness at a time.
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