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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2019)
4A FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019 The Observer Across the Fence How does diversity affect our communities? Societal diversity has a positive impact on Grande Ronde Valley Diversity is an inescapable necessity for the health of society Before moving to La Grande I inter- viewed in a small town in rural Arkansas. Over dinner on the fi rst night we somehow got onto the topic of where I grew up. I shared how I felt I was fortunate to grow up in the United States, Mexico and Germany, which led to questions about what I liked and how the United States compared. When one person asked what I liked best about the United States, I responded that one of the things the United States has going for it is the diversity of its people. Originally from Michigan, my family lived for a while in Mexico. While in Mexico, we traveled extensively in the Southwest United States and experienced the unique blend of Native American, Mexican Ameri- can and white culture. In the Midwest, I went to school with and learned from people who had immigrated from the Middle East and African Americans from heavily segre- gated cities. The time I lived in Germany could not compare or compete in terms of opportunities to interact and learn from people of different backgrounds. It is the diversity of our cultures and peoples that makes our country great. I believe societal diversity is refl ected in the Grande Ronde Valley and has a posi- tive impact on our community. Take, for example, the farmers market in La Grande. The market provides an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to interact regularly, while increasing the quality of life in our community. While predominately a white population, La Grande also has a degree of racial and ethnic diversity. Some of the programming done by Eastern Oregon University and other organizations attest to this, positively contributing to the overall community. An- nual events such as the EOU Indian Arts Festival and Powwow, the celebrations of Pacifi c Islander culture, Dia de Los Muertos and even the Union County Fair provide opportunities to learn and partake in a Diversity, the mere mention of the term alone, especially in the realm of politics, more often than not, evokes polarizing per- spectives. Many heated debates have ensued in the open market of ideas where there’s no shortage of interpretations on the subject and reality of diversity. Political parties and diversity: While one party is said to be the party of diversity, the other is conveniently demonized and accused of not possessing enough of, or the right kind of, said diversity. In fact, no political party or affi liation has proprietary claim to the term, composition or application of diversity. The reality is, diversity is inescapably necessary for the health and balance of a wide spectrum of organizations, systems and social structures, including political bodies and nations. When I consider the historically unique experience of this most precious nation of ours, a constitutional republic, I can’t help, but both appreciate and embrace that diversity, specifi cally of culture, has and will always be an inevitable reality to our grow- ing and changing country. And it is a good thing. Since the inception of this great nation, which has been a model of stability, security and hope to countless millions here and around the world, diversity of culture has been a major contributor to the success of this developing model of the United States. The diversity of our culture has produced a cross pollination of ideas, concepts, trades, practices, skill sets and traditions that have translated to historically unparalleled, unprecedented developments and advance- ments — all underwritten by the order and equality of a unique, built-in, fail-safe system of self governance: the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. A few years ago I befriended a family from the Middle East. They moved here with the hope of a better life, as the country and culture they left behind was a system of civil MATT GOUGHERTY UNION COUNTY PROGRESSIVES/ DEMOCRATS variety of cultural traditions. These events help increase cultural awareness but also provide an opportunity for others to travel to La Grande, supporting our small busi- nesses as they learn more about our respect for diverse cultures in our community. This discussion of societal and cultural diversity doesn’t touch upon the other forms of diversity that also exist in our commu- nity along the lines of gender, social class, sexuality, ability, age and family formations. We are also politically diverse, which this column attests to. While the range of diversity is a positive for our community, when group differences are weaponized we all suffer. It is very easy to slip into an either/or mindset when talking about group differences. People will typically cast the groups they belong to in a positive light. They see the groups they do not belong to as negative and homoge- neous, according to social studies. These “out groups” can be seen as scapegoats for problems, and any differences as a defi cit. When people then act on these beliefs they end up unfairly treating people different from themselves. When such beliefs and practices are embedded in a variety of institutions they can become very hard to challenge. This helps create large disparities in opportunities and resources between groups. At this time where political, cultural and racial/ethnic differences are being used to drive wedges between people in the United States, it is useful to recall the value of diversity and what it brings to our per- sonal relationships and our communities. I believe it is important to appreciate people for who they are, while recognizing the posi- tive impact of diversity in our community, Oregon and the United States. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Stopped account balances less than $5 will be refunded upon request. Subscription rates per month: By carrier...............................................$11.80 By mail, all other U.S. .............................. $15 A division of UNION COUNTY REPUBLICANS chaos. Despite the fact that their homeland has existed for thousands of years, no ad- vancement has been made for basic human rights. There has never existed a version of the “American Dream” let alone human rights in their homeland. The platform they lived on was one of intermittent peace, pur- chased by brute force and tentative alliances. Any form of stability was a temporary condi- tion until the next round of confl ict, which unfortunately is a way of daily life. This foreign family has been delighted to embrace all the promise America has to offer. I spent countless hours with this family, exchanged meals, visited each other’s homes, shared experiences and stories. The friend- ship has been a great experience indeed. In the course of our fellowship I made it a point to inform them that we are delighted to welcome them here to live and experi- ence our culture, and I asked them to bear in mind why this nation is a destination of hope. It is an escape and haven from various systems of oppression, because it is a consti- tutional republic, crafted on an idea that we are all equally and divinely created, all pos- sessing great potential to glorify our creator and be a net benefi t to humanity. The caveat to all of us, with regard to the convergence of cultural diversity in this great nation, is that we all must purpose to remain united in one cause: the preservation of the platform of freedom, the inner work- ings of our constitutional republic, where equal opportunity of potential exists, the very reason the United States is a destina- tion for the hope and potential of humanity. Let us embrace diversity’s goodness, and both educate and infl uence all partici- pants to preserve freedom for generations to come. STAFF Phone: SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE NEWSSTAND PRICE: $1.50 You can save up to 34% off the single-copy price with home delivery. Call 541-963-3161 to subscribe. TRAVIS FAGER 541-963-3161 An independent newspaper founded in 1896 Toll free (Oregon): 1-800-422-3110 (USPS 299-260) Fax: 541-963-7804 Email: The Observer reserves the right to adjust subscription news@lagrandeobserver.com rates by giving prepaid and mail subscribers 30 days Website: notice. Periodicals postage paid at La Grande, Oregon www.lagrandeobserver.com 97850. Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Street address: 1406 Fifth St., La Grande (except Dec. 25) by EO Media Group, 1406 Fifth St., La Grande, OR 97850 (USPS 299-260) POSTMASTER COPYRIGHT © 2019 THE OBSERVER Send address changes to: The Observer retains ownership and copyright The Observer, 1406 Fifth St., protection of all staff-prepared news copy, advertising La Grande, OR 97850 copy, photos and news or ad illustrations. They may Periodicals postage paid at: not be reproduced without explicit prior approval. La Grande, Oregon 97850 Publisher........................................Karrine Brogoitti Classifieds ........................................ Devi Mathson Regional circulation director ....................Kelli Craft Home delivery advisor.................Amanda Fredrick Editor .....................................................Phil Wright Customer service rep ......................... Mollie Lynch News clerk....................................Lisa Lester Kelly Advertising representative...............Juli Bloodgood Sports editor .......................................Ronald Bond Advertising representative...................... Amy Horn Reporter................................................Dick Mason Graphic design supervisor................Dorothy Kautz Reporter....................................Sabrina Thompson Graphic design ..............................Cheryl Christian Chris Rush, Regional Publisher
