Americans should celebrate differences, embrace unity
By Doug Hutton
Student Columnist

Differences are inherent among the human race. We have many races, nationalities, levels of intelligence and characters, but yet we all share the same species distinction, Homo sapiens. Here in the United States we have conquered differences to form a nation that has a fabric like no other. This is a nation where even a blind man can tangibly feel the breadth of our differences. Yet through the workings of democracy and the passionate pursuit of freedom for all, we have come to live under one flag with 13 stripes and 50 stars.

The past month has taught us much about differences. We have seen the difference between pacifists and extremist Muslims, arguing over whether Allah’s edicts sanctify the use of terror. In examining our personal faiths, we have seen the difference in grief response – some turn to prayer while others ready themselves for an apocalypse. For perhaps the first time in our lives, political differences have seemingly vanished under the wing of national unity and patriotism.

When examining differences, however, we must be careful not to hover near three extremes. The first, failing to notice differences even when they are blatantly obvious, denies each person the right to be unique and be a singular human being. There is black and white; not everything is gray. A second extreme is to argue differences when in effect difference has no place in the argument. The third and perhaps most dangerous extreme is the use of differences as a crutch, to perpetuate victimology and to rationalize otherwise inappropriate action.

This year’s freshmen class all saw a program called “Mosaics” in which an acting troupe tried to pry at the sensitive subjects of differences of race, ethnicity and sexuality. In talking to the performers after the show, they related to me a story from one of their previous shows.

The performers had started the show with an audience participation activity by asking them to point out differences between the actors. The obvious answers came first: “You’re tall, he’s short,” and “You’re female and he’s a guy.” The actors failed to get the desired response. For, you see, only one of the three was black. Exaggerated throughout this nation’s history, the difference of race was being categorically denied. Why? Maybe due to political correctness, or just fright at the possibility of being pegged a racist, neither of which is legitimate. Denying our differences does a disservice to each person’s unique characteristics that they bring to this university and the world.

The second extreme actually prompted me to write this column. As I was walking down the stairwell to class this morning, I saw a sign posted by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity indicating their sponsorship of a forum titled “9-11-01: Has it affected minorities differently?” I shook my head in bewilderment at the need for such a forum. In the month since this tragedy, not once have I heard mention of race on the news or in the newspapers. Our president has consistently proclaimed us all to be Americans, with no segregation by race or ethnicity. A person of every race died in the attacks, even many foreign nationals. The spirit since Sept. 11 has finally recognized that America has a race unto itself, however diverse it may be. To accentuate differences in such a time thrusts an unneeded divider between previously unified parts.

The last extreme is the rut in which our nation finds itself today. It took Reconstruction to get beyond slavery and the civil rights movement to conquer segregation, but it will take more to get beyond the use of difference as a crutch and explanation for our actions. This extreme is not just limited to blacks; racist whites use this crutch just as much as any ethnic group. People on both sides of the aisle can be found using this extreme to further their own interests or to channel bigoted beliefs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are fond of making every incident seem racist, while Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson continue to bash homosexuals and blacks.

A perfect example was the case of several boys expelled from school in Decatur, Ill. in response to their violations of school conduct codes. Instead of accepting the repercussions of their actions, they played the card of difference, calling in Jesse Jackson to argue that they were expelled not due to conduct but due to their difference. Even in the wake of such terror, Jerry Falwell had the nerve to exacerbate the situation by proclaiming that the differences we perpetuate as Americans brought on the attacks. This is not the way differences should be used.

Differences are an integral part of this nation. We use it to form new social programs, evaluate current initiatives and determine progress in race relations. Without difference, this nation would be a bland hodgepodge of people with the same ideas and sentiments. There would be no need for cultural celebrations or ethnic holidays that enhance the festivities of this nation. However, in accepting difference with an open mind, we must not forget that it is there.

When we drift toward denying its value or using it to perpetuate stereotypes, we deny our identity as Americans.