I don't have ethnic issues in the usual sense. I LIKE our differences. What I have a problem with is the "melting pot".

I like the fact that the world has a wealth of different languages, that people have different beliefs, that we look different to one another. I admire the Asian lady dressed in her delicate Sari. I love the soft, sensual tones of Spanish being spoken. I am fascinated by the philosophy of a Buddhist and enchanted by the mystical sound of Japanese music. We have different architecture, different cuisine, different superstitions.........it's beautiful!

Diversity is what makes the world "go round". Life would be dull if there were only one kind of flower or one kind of tree. Countries like Britain are already considered cosmopolitan and if nationalities continue to integrate - what then? What will future generations be like? Will our languages blend into one? Will we all worship one God? Will we all look the same and dress the same?

Before Columbus discovered the "New World" in 1492 there were dozens of Native American tribes - the Apache, the Cherokee, the Mohawk - most of which disappeared when America was colonized. There are few full blooded American Indians today and it took little more than 500 years for the "melting pot" to destroy all those tribes, all that culture, and create "one kind of flower". Do we really want that to happen on a world wide scale?

I believe this is the only ethnic issue that really matters. We need to accept and respect our differences, but retain them and keep the human race diverse and beautiful and interesting.

Learn more about this author, Libbie Reed.
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