“In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou

The world we live in today seems to have seeped into turmoil with chaos invading every aspect of our lives. Violence and terrorism have become an integral part of our lives so much so that every time we watch the daily news, gruesome stories of murder and attacks crop up at an alarming pace. One of the main causes leading to such disastrous situations is the lack of unity among humans. It is to reflect on all this that we celebrate International Human Solidarity Day on the 20th of December every year. Solidarity refers to the ties in a society that binds us together.

While it is true that we live in a diverse world in terms of ethnicity, culture, religion etc, that is not an excuse for us to be divided. In fact, it is that very difference that will help promote traits such as tolerance and respect among other factors. It is essential to understand that though we may hail from diverse backgrounds, our hearts all beat as one.

We are only as strong as we are united and as weak as we are divided. I believe we humans are like grass- our roots are interdependent so that no one is dead or broken so long as the other is alive. While it is easier said than done to strike lifelong friendships notwithstanding our numerous differences, it is a universal truth that all the best things in life are a result of pain and struggle. In the end, that’s what makes the good things so very great and that’s what makes it worth all the struggles.

The fact that we are alive right now is in itself a cause for celebration. While our differences may be vast, what unites us is so much greater than what divides us. We may not understand other cultures or religions in their entirety but that should be taken as a stepping stone to learning more instead of as a cause of dissatisfaction. Little pools of water or tiny rivulets are not of much use to man, but when they join to form a mighty river, therein lies the benefit to man. We, humans, are similar.

As Helen Keller said, ‘’Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much’’. 

Written by: Rtr. Aaysha Sufran

Graphic design by: Rtr. Malithi Fernando