On Diversity

I used to think that diversity meant 'anything that was different from me.' So if I went to a school/church/city/whatever that had, say, a large Mexican population, I would consider it diverse (like on my mission.) Or if I lived in a neighborhood that was 90% Cuban, I thought it was diverse (like Miami.) 

I was wrong. Those situations only represented two major demographics: white and Latin. That's not diversity, that's just two different ethnic groups and one of them is not my ethnic group. And one of them I wished was my ethnic group because their food and music is better. 

NYC, for the most part, does not have diverse neighborhoods. People from any given country (Jamaica, India, Italy, Korea, etc) live together in groups across the city. There's not a lot of mixing up groups, either. You aren't going to find a Pakistani family living in a black neighborhood. These things don't happen. 

Unless a couple of white, ignorant idiots rent an apartment in the Bengali neighborhood because 2) they're completely desperate and 1) they don't know any better. 

Our greater neighborhood, that comprises the many blocks around us and includes where the girls go to school, is actually very diverse compared to the rest of the city. So even for living in NYC, our part of Brooklyn is considered more diverse than most of the city. 

This is making no sense. 

But I had to say because when Leah brings home these flyers from school, it's a little reality check that we live in a unique situation. One that isn't found in very many places. I'm not saying it's all good or that we love it--don't get all crazy now. But it's unique and I hope it's not ruining them. 
 

I can only see English, Spanish, creole, Russian, French, Hindu, Bengali, Korean, and Chinese. Not sure what the last one is. Arabic maybe?

We're ok. We have sad days of empty grief that can't be filled. We have grumpy days where we don't want to talk about it. Except Leah-- she always wants to talk about it. And we have some good days. And Lucy makes us smile everyday. 

The Match is coming up in 13 days. Then we'll know for sure if Jacob is working as a resident at Brooklyn hospital. But if he's not? I truly don't think we'll last. 

 

Comments

Megan said…
I am loving all your updates lately! Thank you for sharing your life with us! So, because I'm completely clueless about the medical profession... what is The Match? Whatever it is, I wish you all the best of luck! Love you... and sending you peace - all the way from Utah.
March 2, 2017 at 12:26 PM
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