Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is almost here, and we should give thanks for one of the foundations that makes our country strong. That is, the diversity of our people. No, not that diversity. I mean the diversity that has given us the "melting pot" of nationalities, ideas and cultures that no other country in the world can match. Starting with the waves of Europeans who came here in the 1800s and early 1900s. Continuing with the waves of Latinos who started coming around 1965. And on and on. While it's true that immigrants must be willing to come here legally, most have done just that. Too often the voices that you hear bemoan our immigrants, but that is who we are. Instead, we should be celebrating the rich tapestry our differences weave. Our communities of Black Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Indian Americans, Latino Americans and White Americans provide us with strength and resilience that too few appreciate enough. We are all Americans, and we need to start seeing it that way more often. We need to see the good in our fellow Americans. We need to assume good intentions. And we need to remember how fortunate we are to have our differences.