As you travel, try to plan activities that take you away from tourist destinations and instead, immerse you in local culture. Visit a play, concert, or religious service that is outside your norm. Anytime we step outside our comfort zone, we build understanding. Embracing diversity is about getting to know and appreciate people of different religions, cultures, ethnic groups, socio-economic groups, or ages.

Perhaps it’s as simple as getting to know your neighbors on a deeper level. This might include volunteer work, such as serving food at a homeless shelter or making regular visits to a nursing home. Look for opportunities to get to know people outside your immediate circle. Try to find news programming that includes more than one perspective and even challenges your own. Instead, look for programming that increases understanding and builds empathy. Avoid programming that makes broad generalizations about specific religious, ethnic, cultural, or social groups, especially when the generalizations are negative. Choose media that reflects your values of inclusiveness. In minutes, we can connect with a group on Facebook, follow a blog, or watch a television show. With web surfing and media streaming, the world is just a click away. Her characters are authentically formed and her writing is always respectful of both her readers and subjects.Ĭhoose media wisely. For example, children’s author Eve Bunting regularly tackles complex issues, such as immigration, homelessness, and family dynamics. Look for authors who can write engaging, informative books without being preachy. Introduce your children to a wide variety of literature as well. Read books from varying perspectives and time periods. Beautifully written prose allows us to step into someone’s shoes, even if only momentarily. Whether we live in a homogeneous suburb, an isolated rural community, or an urban melting pot, we can consciously work to be inclusive and embrace diversity through the following ideas: No matter what our circumstance or where we live, we can cultivate a desire to understand another’s life and heart.

It is an attitude and perspective that values each human being as someone who is innately deserving of our respect and attention. Inclusiveness is about more than geography and location. Is it possible to foster inclusiveness in situations that are not as diverse? We talk about diversity, but many Americans still live in primarily homogeneous communities.

Embrace diversity