Diversity is a word that has become far more commonly used in our vocabulary since the early 1990s when the environmental issue of biological diversity was raised to public awareness. Since then its increased use has spread to the social sciences, primarily in discussions on lifestyles, cultures, religions and nationalities.

So what does diversity really mean? Most, if not all, dictionaries include the word "variety" in their definition. Is there a difference between the two? My personal opinion is that it is only a matter of degree, diversity being used for subjects of more significance or importance. Thus you might say a multicultural city has a diversity of ethnicities, while an ice cream parlor has a variety of flavors.

We can therefore consider the old adage "variety is the spice of life" to also apply to diversity. Spices add that little extra to a meal, just as diversity can add that little extra interest or excitement to life. Especially meals, wouldn't dinning out get boring if you didn't have a choice of restaurants from Italian to Greek, Indian to Lebanese, Chinese to Vietnamese?

Does this mean then, that if we live in a small town where everyone is descended from immigrants from the same part of the "Old World" and practices the same religion, there is no diversity? Not at all. The most significant diversity of all is there; just as it is anywhere people live together, the diversity of personalities.

All other forms of human diversity - cultural, ethnic, religious, national, even sexual preference - have the diversity of personality types underlying them, and strangely, this actually brings a unifying effect to these diversities. All those chefs preparing food in those varied restaurants to delight the palates of their diners, come from a diverse range of cultures, nations and religions, but they all have that personality that enjoys preparing fine food for the pleasure of others.

I might end up with death threats for saying so, but don't the more militant, white-hating Black Power members have more in common with vitriolic, red-neck Klu Klux Klan members than they do with Joe and Jane Public? Their targets are virtually opposite, but their attitudes and behaviors are near identical.

The point I am trying to put across here is that even where diversity would seem to be at its widest, there are underlying similarities and vice versa. So, unless you are going to live the life of a recluse, you will always be faced with diversity in the people you associate with. Considering or worrying about the positive and negative aspects of diversity is therefore rendered pointless.

Some people may seem far different from yourself at first, looking different, coming from a culture strange to you, worshiping another God, but then you make that effort and talk with them. Suddenly you find they have that personality type yours clicks with and you can become fast friends. Friends that can introduce each other to other worlds; adding just that right amount of extra spice to your life.

Learn more about this author, Perry McCarney.
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