Cultural Diversity as a Blessing and a Curse

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Autorica: Lejla Habota, učenica Druge gimnazije Mostar, 2. razred

It would be a wonderful world if cultural diversity wasn’t a curse. But it is. And it would be a terrible world if it wasn’t a blessing. But it is.

As time goes by I realize more and more that diversity is the most natural thing. It is inevitable for existence of everything we’re surrounded by. From objects to feelings, from things to people, from land to thought. Cultural diversity is something we’re defined by, like a fingerprint, not even one is the same as other and yet it is crucial for recognition. It is as good as it is bad. Diversity is a constant stream that flows through matter. Cultural diversity flows through everything we’re born into and grow into. It’s the way tradition is involved from prehistoric ages to the present day. It’s the way we eat our breakfast and the way we celebrate life. It’s the path we chose to live by and the anthem we should be proud of, and in that way it’s certainly a blessing; the feeling we belong to something much bigger than yourself, but it wouldn’t mean as much if we didn’t belong at all. And when you get to know someone’s roots of life, the way they’re different but totally alike, you realise how they depend on you and how you depend on them.

Diversity, in theory, should bring us peace, love and acceptance. But in everyday life, in real life, it’s not quite how it goes. If life was a tree, our cultural trademarks would be our roots. It’s almost impossible to get rid of the one thing that pins you steady to the solid ground. It nourishes you and keeps you going, from the soil to the top leaf on your last branch. We, humans, we’re not that much different. We all have those primal instincts of protecting everything we’re fond of, and it’s when the curse comes in; instead of accepting something new, we attack it and try to devour of its core. That’s the reason we have chaos everywhere around us, and that’s the reason we disturb peace. We’re programmed to destroy, and rarely that type of destruction becomes a form of creation. People never seem to realise that one important thing; once spilled blood can never be returned. We even cross the boundaries of destroying our own. The ultimate remedy to wounds of the modern society is acceptance of diversity. With acceptance comes a variety of feelings and ways that can help us in all ways possible. At the end it’s not about colour, or tradition or even taste. Cultural diversity is a made up thing. It’s not of this world, it’s a glimmer, a flash of something larger than everything we know. When that colour flashes, we get to know everything that’s different. And with knowledge and acceptance there will come a time when diversity won’t be a curse. Only a blessing.