Diversity -- or Divisiveness? US Focus on Race, Gender, Ethnicity Overlooks the Individual

Milton Ezrati. Milton Ezrati writes frequently on economic, financial, and public policy issues., The Christian Science Monitor

NOT long ago, my daughter came home from school and asked for our national flag. Remembering a small Stars and Stripes that once marked my place at an international dinner, I fetched it and gave it to her.

"No!" she said, "that is the American flag. I need our national flag." She explained that the school's "diversity lunch" required each student to bring in a flag or symbol of his or her national, racial, or ethnic heritage, as well as a traditional food.

I told her that, like many Americans, our background was mixed and I was not even sure of all its elements. I could not choose a single flag. Besides, we did not feel a particular link to any of our background …

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Publication information: Article title: Diversity -- or Divisiveness? US Focus on Race, Gender, Ethnicity Overlooks the Individual. Contributors: Milton Ezrati. Milton Ezrati writes frequently on economic, financial, and public policy issues. - Author. Newspaper title: The Christian Science Monitor. Publication date: January 3, 1995. Page number: 18. © 2009 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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