Re-imagine Diversity

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     I was taking the time to reflect upon my response to gun violence, and recent shootings that have taken place in the USA. As I have written extensively in earlier research and writing, the underlying cause is much more than simply about someone who has the desire to shoot to kill. They are representative of a cry, a steering vehicle to achieve social justice and equality. However, one can question what is social justice and equality? And whose interests are being taken care of when these shootings are taking place? 

     Patterns
If we just name a few such as The Texas Church mass shooting, Santa Fe High School, Parkland, and now Jacksonville, we can see that the victims are predominantly white, that is specifically referring to skin color. With reference to the patterns that we are finding, we can go back to the question, whose interests are being served when there is a cry for social justice? 

     Language
Does the word diversity, or inclusion do justice to what they words mean as they are used at present day? With a knowing of the issues, systemic barrier, that do affect minority populations (because I am also a person belonging to a minority group) I also do believe that majority populations, segments are under attack today.

​     Diversity
While I put my own experiences as a minority away to put forth these thoughts, not to say that they are not worthy of discussion, I want to focus upon the question. Is it right to shoot to kill innocent lives to simply send a message of attack? Not only to de-stabalize but also to install fear. We can also go back to refer to school shootings. The after-math of school shootings destabilizes public schools, it puts public schooling in jeopardy. Individuals, families become fearful. Rather than taking the easy step to shoot to kill, isn't it better to raise voices, and work together to achieve a greater sense of equality for all? 

The Consequence
When mass shootings, shootings, gun violence occur we are all at a loss. Majority and minority. If not more so the minority, who rely more on public schooling and public resources.

A Shift
​While I can only write what I think with this pen, hoping to knock some sense in to those who use the cowards way, I do believe that the very words diversity and inclusion, and how we choose to define who is included or not, where the emphasis is placed, is being called to question. Diversity should re-focus to shift and place emphasis on both minority and majority. 

​My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

​Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on August 28th, 2018.
Image 1 - Canvas Creation quote from Cherrye S. Vasquez