Diversity is wonderful. In the world of music, this is a known fact. There is nothing more boring than music that would always sound the same. In the world of nature as well, diversity is not only welcomed but sought out. Why is it then, that in the world of human beings, some believe that diversity is something to be avoided at all costs? To prefer people who are "like us", who think "like us" and who dress "like us", is a phenomenon that is strange when one thinks it. Any composer will never write a symphony for the violins only or he would put the audience to sleep. There is nothing more gorgeous than the diversity of musical instruments. And the tuba is not better than the violin, just different.
Similarly, to build a house, one needs all types of professional people, the architect, the mason, the plubmer, the electrician. Without every one of them, the house will not be perfect. Yet, for some reason, there is still prejudice in the world, praising those who are "educated" and putting down those who are not. But what is to be "educated" in reality?
But some humans like to form clans, the us versus them, we are the same, you are different. We are "educated", you are not. Learning better can really start in the family. Children can be discouraged from saying "my father is better than your father", and later on in life, we continue the same thought process by saying "my religion is better than your religion" or "my university is better than your university" which, at the international level just translates into "my country is better than your country".
In music, all notes are equal and all notes are beautiful. But if you play the same note over and over, nobody would want to hear your composition. What makes music beautiful is contrast and diversity. It's the different note, the unexpected one, that pleases the ear. It's the fast rhythms followed by slow, it's long notes followed by short ones. Diversity and difference are key to a good piece of music. Let's also make it the key to living in our beautiful world.
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3 comments:
i love the analogy with music. It would be unbearable to listen to a single note for 5 minutes.
well said. and I agree, the music analogy is amazing. floating out there somewhere in the ether is an audio recording of a famous talk by a Baha'i - a Counsellor, perhaps? not sure - on the topic of Harmony. He explained the concepts of harmony, unity, diversity, and consultation while playing a piano. He even featured Peter and the Wolf, if I remember correctly. look out for it - try searching the Baha'i Study Audio page.
Dan, I think you are referring to the talk, Keys to Harmony, presented by the late Dr. Dan Jordan. They are accessible at:
http://www.bahaistudy.org/mp3/KeystoHarmony1.mp3 - Part 1, 45 min
http://www.bahaistudy.org/mp3/KeystoHarmony2.mp3 - Part 2, 45 min
Dr. Jordan was a brilliant musician, educator and author, as well as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. He was one of a team of educators and researchers who founded an exciting and revolutionary new system of education, ANISA, at the University of Massachusetts. He was tragically and prematurely killed in 1982.
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