Introduction
“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” Martin Luther King. This is a generation that has perfected the idea of ethnic hatred and negligence. Unless good people stand up against the evil deeds performed along ethnic lines society will be faced with dire consequences of its negligence. In his quote, Martin Luther King Junior admonished people who believed in ethnic diversity to rise to the occasion against those who undermine it. In this quote, he blamed ethnic hostility not only to the acts of evil but also to the appalling negligence and silence of the good people. Martin Luther cited repentance to symbolize the change in approach about how the whole issue of cultural diversity is concerned. The opposite is also true bearing in mind that the worst atrocities and acts of violence against humanity have been catalyzed by cultural and ethnic hatred. It is therefore of essence that the people who believe in cultural diversity stand up against the few bad people who perpetrate violence in the name of ethnic identity. To live in harmony as a society we must de-link ourselves from attitudes of ethnic hatred and embrace diversity. It is only through tolerance and acceptance that ethnicity will cease to be an issue in social relations.
The Consequences of Ethnic Hostility
Unless the good people of this generation take action against ethnic and cultural hostility there will be tough repercussions. Martin Luther in his famous quote cautioned society not to be ignorant of the evil perpetrated along ethnic lines. According to the quote, diversity can not only be undermined by the acts of the bad but also by the ignorance and silence of the good. This generation according to him was headed for a catastrophe unless the good people stood up against the evil ones. Oppression of the weak and the rampant stigmatization of particular races and sections of society is common (Leach 115).
The evils plotted by people of one ethnic group against others have impacted far-reaching consequences in society. It can be described as a society that is dogged by the ills of a few bad people and plagued by the silence of good people. Therefore the world will remain the worst place for existence as long as the good intended people remain adamant of the danger posed by the few evil plotters who hide behind cultural backgrounds. As a society, we must stand up against the segregation of people along ethnic lines. We must affirm our belief in equality and openness to staying away from the ruthless consequences of ethnic hatred (Banks 219).
This generation has to think seriously about the concept of cultural diversity. Ethnicity has been used to perpetrate heinous crimes against humanity. The negative attitudes towards people of different cultural backgrounds must be brought to an end. Time has come for those who believe in cross-ethnic harmony to rise to the occasion and stop the menace of cultural hatred. The silence of good people is nothing but a license to the evil people to perpetrate violence. At the end of the day, we must realize that society is made up of people from different ethnic backgrounds. And we must learn to appreciate one another in order to live in perfect harmony (Moses 23).
Conclusion
Ethnicity is a reality that cannot be wished away. It is something that is here to stay; society must find a way of coexisting. We must therefore embrace cultural diversity as a generation to save ourselves from self-destruction. Unless those who believe in tolerance and reconciliation stand up and act, the fate of this generation will be left squarely in the hands of the evil ethnic chauvinists. The danger posed by ethnic hatred and hostility cannot just be blamed on the perpetrators of evil but also on the inaction of good people who believe in diversity.
Works Cited
Banks, James, Multiethnic education: theory and practice. Michigan: University of Michigan 1994.
Leach, Mark, Cultural diversity and suicide: ethnic, religious, gender, and sexual orientation perspectives. New York: Routledge 2006.
Moses, Sybil, Addressing ethnic and cultural diversity: a report on activities of the American Library Association. Michigan: University of Michigan 1990.