By Andani Thovhakale
As we start the new month and make resolutions, I want to urge us to add “acceptance of differences” in those resolutions. This acceptance, I want to argue, will lead to healthy and prosperous relationships and also lead to a harmonious society.
At the outset, I want to pose provocative questions that form the foundation of my argument. These questions are as follows:
•How does one cooperate, work or deal with someone who is completely different to you?;
•Does one force that person to be like them or does one understand that people are uniquely different?;
•Will having two people thinking alike create broadness or narrow-minded approaches to life’s problems?; or
•Will embracing differences and diversity lead to a pool/reservoir of knowledge where different options can be considered?
In simpler terms, what my questions allude to is that: two different heads are better than two duplicates. One cannot force another to adopt their way of thinking or approach and expect that person to excel.
In embracing politics of difference and the concept of uniqueness, I have come to learn that sometimes it is not acceptance [of a particular behaviour or belief] but it is just tolerance [of a particular behaviour or belief] in order to peacefully coexist with others in harmony and maintain healthy relationships. For example, I need not impose what I think is appropriate behaviour or what I think is the most rational belief! But I will, through the use of superior logic, aim to rationally persuade you to see things from a different perspective, and of course not excepting you to outrightly accept that perspective. A reasonable accommodation is the bedrock of our constitutional democracy and equality jurisprudence.
Understanding the concepts of relativity, different perspective and politics of difference will save us from making fallacious generalizations and assuming that everyone has the same capability and can do all things equally. The world is not a one-size-fits all cap. We are uniquely created and situated in different circumstances with different realities and so we ought to embrace our differences and respect other people’s differences. Let us embrace diversity and differences. People are not the same and hence they will not think alike, and thinking differently to another does not make the other any less intelligent or less important.
When they say X does it better than you, it does not mean that you do it wrongly or what you do is not virtuous or you are useless. You are doing it rightly so and it’s good the way it is and you are important just the way you are, even though X is doing it better than you, you are still equally important like X. Let’s appreciate difference.
It is said that “An axe cuts better and faster than a razor blade but an axe cannot shave hair faster and better than a razor blade that cuts slowly.” Mother nature’s distribution cannot be faulted but appreciated!!!
People want other people to live according to their preference. One thing we should all know is that there is no memorandum for life. Each one of us chooses a way of life we deem suitable and appropriate. For as long as our society doesn’t appreciate that there is no perfection, we are still going to impose on other people how to best live their unique life.