Essay On Identity And Diversity

1258 Words6 Pages

While identity focuses on uniqueness such as how an individual is different from and similar to others, diversity focuses on the range of the difference and uniqueness such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, among others. Diversity should be seen as source of strength. However, it can also be a source of violence, oftentimes by those who fear or dislike difference. In the best light diversity is foundation for peacebuilding – since it enables us to draw strength and be respectful of difference. Identity and diversity are linked. In simple terms, different identity groups such as those whose languages, religions education-levels, genders, and ethnics come together, they create a diverse …show more content…

Some people face violence and they have to flee their homes and come to new contexts with new social norms and power dynamics. Some people witness violence and discrimination every day that leave them powerless. Some people face poverty, inequality and unequal gender opportunities, affecting the way they coexist and share spaces with others. And then we have to face the ethical challenges steaming from being global citizens while at the same time trying to respond to our own our local context and realities. Ethics is about relationships; it is about fostering critical reflections to help nurture human values and build a sense of community. It is about being able to respond actively to those challenges, injustices and violence and helping restore and transform broken relationships. It is not about defining who is right or wrong but the process of critically reflecting about our beliefs and actions and how those affect the connectedness of life, and actively doing something to ensure human dignity is protected and