You might ask, “why is a boomer, Latino, male, celebrating Juneteenth?” Because just yesterday I had the honor of listening to two impressive women talking about the importance of Juneteenth to them. The conversation mainly centered around generational inclusion and effective leadership. Still, some of the things they said about Juneteenth being an important celebration of culture reminded me of some important things I was taught growing up about celebrating cultures - others and our own.
As a boomer I was raised in a culture where “E Pluribus Unum” meant many cultures being celebrated for their unique strengths, and the power of what many cultures can do together when those unique characteristics are brought to bear on the challenges we face together. Even though this unofficial motto for the United States has come to have a different meaning for many, the underlying concept was, as it is today, Unity: how do many different people, different cultures, background, and languages, come together and work toward a common goal? Minimally, this outcome requires celebration (beyond simple acceptance), connection, and tolerance.
To truly find unity cross culturally, we have to desire and be allowed to get to know each other, we need to learn to celebrate each other. In order to feel safe to learn about each other, we need to be allowed to not know what we don’t know, allowed to ask honest questions, and allowed to make mistakes as we make efforts to respect one another.
I believe a big part of tolerance is to allow others to make mistakes, without consequences that are more severe than they need to be – because overly severe responses teach us to stop asking questions. When we stop asking questions, communication and connection cease, and we are left with our own imaginations to explain why other people behave the ways they do. Most often, our imaginations are not kind when it comes to other people’s behaviors.
Today the unity standard is being moved forward by DEI (Diversity & Inclusion) efforts and conversations in business and social circles. Some of the great messages I took from yesterday’s seminar were “We can’t celebrate our culture by disrespecting other cultures” and “We need to be willing and able to ask, and be willing to teach each other.”
You might be asking “What does inclusion (or unity) have to do with mental health?”
Great question!
Mental health does not thrive in isolation – in fact isolation is one symptom of several mental illness diagnoses. It is interesting how prevalent the topic of “getting out there and getting to know your people” was in the discussion of effective leadership: not just what they can do, not just their skill sets, but getting to know them. Learning what encourages and motivates them or what discourages or demotivates them requires getting to know them as people, not just contributors to the team effort.
Accepting invitations to attend celebrations of culture is one great way to get to know people.
Going to their house, eating the food, meeting the people, are all great ways to learn who people are. If someone asks about your culture – share it! Not only the strength from injustices overcome, but the beauty and richness of the cultural stories and symbols themselves! If you are feeling “people” don’t understand you, or people of your culture, consider inviting them to your house – show them what there is to celebrate about your culture, and yourself!
While I realize that throwing a party may not affect social justice or change national policy, it might identify or create allies in the neighborhood, possibly the community or even the city… maybe even farther. Some might see this as naïveté, but can anyone really say that polarization works any better?
Afterall, isn’t unity what Christ’s church was supposed to be – many peoples coming together with the joint purpose of worshiping a great God, celebrating each other as family – a family bringing home the cultural gifts from around the world. What a party that would be!
If connection and celebration are difficult for you, we invite you to come in and let us help you find ways to create family – to not have to do this life alone – even if you don’t yet know how.
I want to Acknowledge the following people that made the event so successful:
In the Center: Gina Fields, Innovation Ambassador, NTT Data North America,
who put the event together and facilitated the exchange.
On the right: Dr. Sabrina Townsend, Global DEIB professional and
On the Left: Kristen Geez, CEO of Advising Gen Z
