Diversity Consciousness; Chat with Dr. Bucher, Author / Educator / Diversity Consultant

Some Perspective Please
As a sociologist, my training is to make connections, and look beyond the present, beyond the individual, and beyond the “bits and pieces” offered by the media. With regard to the ongoing controversy surrounding the location of the Islamic Community Center in NYC, it is all too easy to get caught up in the details of recent events and lose perspective. Segregation, prejudice, fear, and misunderstanding brought about by religious diversity is as American as apple pie. So too is religious assimilation and genuine outreach and appreciation.
Recently, I read an editorial in a major newspaper in which the writer argued that in light of the mean-spiritedness triggered in part by the controversy over the Islamic community center, e pluribus unum (out of many one) is in danger of becoming e pluribus pluribus. In other words, unity is a thing of the past; divisiveness is the new norm. The writer, I think, could have used some perspective. Throughout American history, e pluribus unum has always been, in many respects, more theoretical than actual culture. Certainly, Mormons, Muslims, Quakers, Catholics, Jews, and other religious outsiders can attest to that. Because of prejudices in the larger society, people from these groups were at times considered not “American” enough. Furthermore, many so-called “True Americans” assumed these outsiders were hell bent on destroying our freedoms and our way of life.
While we can focus on individual Muslims to make any argument we want to make, we could do the same thing with any religious group, Christians included. The current controversy is simply the latest episode of religious intolerance and tolerance in American history. And, like other religious outsiders in the U.S., Muslims will be increasingly accepted and absorbed into mainstream American society in the years to come. But it won’t be easy, it never is.
What’s your perspective?