What Defines "Diversity?"

As many of my inner circle know, the Bitter American has a Facebook page. One of the applications addresses our ethnic diversity. Currently, most are Italian, Irish or Jewish (who IS that 3% Lithuanian??)

Recently, the Bitter American sent out invitations to add the application to some newer "friends." Some added it, some chose to postpone applying it. Then I got a disturbing message from a now non-friend about it.

In it, he accused me of being a "faux Conservative" because I "embraced that 'diversity' nonsense."

Thus lies the crux of this blast of bile into the blogosphere: in the post-9/11 world, our definitions and interpretations of everyday society have become skewed along ideological lines. A liberal's truth is a conservative's lie and vice versa.

To the Bitter American, "diversity" is the epitome of our "melting pot" moniker. America was first settled by peoples who wanted to start anew or escape oppression in their native lands. We started a country based on ideals not heard of in most of Europe or Asia. And when we finally got our country on stable feet, the word got out to more and more countries. People from all over the world came to our shores, seeking that "American Dream," each bringing a different perspective on how to address and attain that dream. That is what makes us strongest. I'm fairly sure the Greek interpretation of America differs from the Russian, and from the African or Asian. (Side note - I recently read in a travelogue that in most of Southeast Asia it is better to say you don't adhere to any organized religion than to admit you are an atheist. In their minds, atheism = communism and communism = hell on Earth.)

Now, to the Bitter American, having grown up in a mostly Italian- and Irish-Catholic neighborhood, the opportunity to meet those of different ethnicities and beliefs is exciting and a part of the maturation process. It helps my intellectual growth.

Unfortunately, to others on both sides but abetted by a leftist media, "diversity" means making sure you have enough blacks, women, handicapped and gay/transgendered people (whether you need them or not) to fulfill a made-up and unachievable quota. It stunts growth and hurts our economy. Nothing good come from it and its doomed to fail from the beginning.

**THAT'S MY OPINION AND YOU'RE ENTITLED TO IT!**