Health & Fitness
What does diversity mean to you?
If Skokie is so diverse why aren't we celebrating it? What would it take to get us out of our cultural comfort zones?
Ok Skokie. So you say you moved here because of the diversity, but what does that really mean? Yes, there are more languages spoken every day in Skokie then when NATO came to town. But having a multicultural melting pot means more than merely appreciating the diversity and then sticking within your own demographic.Hassidic Jews mixing with Muslims; Iraqi and Syrian refugees breaking bread together; What's the point of having a diverse community if we never come together and share, spread and celebrate our differences? Sure Skokie puts on an anemic attempt with the Festival of Cultures. But dancers, carnival food and tents filled with sequestered countries offering stamps can't possibly be the most encouraging way to celebrate our cultural diversity. This is a missed opportunity to inspire and lead our community to embrace what sets us apart. Our tolerance of diversity and difference is no longer enough (unlike nearby Naperville, where building a Mosque causes protests). If diversity is the selling point and reason people want to live here then where is the celebration and why aren't we doing more to come together and step out of our cultural comfort zones? Lets start small. How about a community cookbook? Or weekly coffees promoting the expression of views and ideas? Monthly religious leadership meetings perhaps? And the list goes on and on...Are you with me, Skokie?
