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