Sunday was the last day of Hanukkah and today, Monday, was the first day of the new Islamic Year. And, Monday, the 26th of January, is the Chinese New Year, ushering in the year of the Ox.
And, of course, on Wednesday evening, the 31st of December, we ring out the old year in our Western tradition, with January First being the first day of the new year.
In the mean time, Kwanza continues its march across the calendar.
So, many traditions are melding together and we are in the enviable position of being able to enjoy them all. I thought this article, by Professor I. J. Singh, a Sikh teaching anatomical sciences at New York University, gives us an nice view of this diversity.
At the same time, we must realize and accept that not all traditions are equally valued in this great nation of ours, and not all traditions need to be honored. For example, there are honor killings. This is a custom that should not be allowed to implant itself on our soil, and in our soul.
Diversity with responsibility.
Regards -- Cliff
PS And then there is this from The International Herald Tribune, one of my favorite newspapers from my time in Europe. The article, by John Vinocur, is "From the left, a call to end the current Dutch notion of tolerance." In sum, "if you come here, become a Dutchman and take responsibility for what it means to be a Dutchman." Diversity with responsibility.
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