Society is getting better at recognising people who are different. Being different is becoming normal.
It can be harder for older generations (and even not so older generations) to adapt to the world being full of a variety of humans.
Multiculturalism is much more common & accepted now due to globalisation, the internet and a century of plane travel. Increased exposure to people of non-“straight” sexual orientations has resulted in increased acceptance of people who are gay, transgender, non-binary, intersex, etc. Upcoming generations are growing up in an era where being open about their orientation is not even an issue.
Those who struggle to accept those different to themselves can initially do so because they can’t recognise that person's uniqueness in themselves. On a subconscious level, a person so different to ourselves can seem absurd.
What often wins out is a recognition that everyone wants to be able to be themselves, to be accepted as who they are rather than being pushed to be something they aren’t. In a world of extreme diversity, it’s what we all have in common.
This mutual acceptance often comes about by people sharing their stories through conversation rather than by shouting at each other.
“In a world of extreme diversity, it’s what we all have in common.”
But even for those with good intentions doing their best to adapt to an ever-changing world, it can be easy to mis-step. In a world of celebrating diversity and shunning labels, the two values can create confusion.
Some don’t feel a need for labels. Whether someone is male or female should be irrelevant. We should be colour-blind when it comes to skin-colour.
When celebrating diversity, the opposite can be equally true. People want to embrace their cultures & traditions. For transgender people, the label of female or male is hugely important in belonging to their identity.
What approach is best?
Listening is a good start. What aspects of identity does an individual want recognised?
Practise inclusiveness where possible. This can be easy on a one-on-one level but harder when dealing with people on a larger scale when broader strokes are a matter of logistics.
(On this last point, Awkward Silence are often guilty because we attempt to write questions for a variety of people, and this can sometimes miss the mark on an individual level. We hope you know you are recognised in other areas of our conversation starters.)
“In a world of celebrating diversity and shunning labels, the two values can create confusion.”
Have grace when sharing your story. People of different walks of life may have a harder time coming to grips with the wonderfully “weird” person you are. Old outlooks don’t often dissolve in an instant. But these instances do help break down weak ideas.
You don't need to identify with someone to appreciate them. You don't need to understand someone to respect them. Our imperfect co-existence is our common humanity.
And it's in this imperfection that we grow.
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