Author: Noel Ihebuzor

Societies are made up of groups. Each member has to contribute but not everyone must hold similar views. Good societies are built on the principles of

Some common vision

Some common bonding/cohesion

Some shared values

Some commonly agreed norms along with

a recognition of the need for individuality

a commonly agreed and shared purpose interacting

with a recognition for the importance heterogeneity and diversity

for without diversity and heterogeneity,

Uniformity would not only be stifling but also suffocating

These elements make up what we call social capital

Good societies recognize and accept all their members, on the understanding that unity is not the same as uniformity

Happy human societies are founded on the principle of:

·         Human dignity

·         Mutual respect,

·         Social justice

·         rule of law

·         equality of all before the law

·         Social responsibility

·         Equity and fairness

·         Mutual trust,

·         Cooperation and inclusiveness

Good societies are inclusive There is a danger in some conceptions of inclusiveness as demanding uniformity and zero diversity as sine qua non for its operation. This is a flawed view as it could lead to a loss of individual freedoms as an individual who fails to meet its flawed and narrow requirement is singled out to become a victim of exclusion. Exclusion is the opposite of inclusion. It is negative and highly destructive.

What are the dangers of exclusion?

Exclusion – why do we exclude – we exclude because of fear, prejudice, wrong information, ignorance hatred, envy, xenophobia.

features of exclusion, Exclusion as Us versus they, antagonisms, blame games ,scapegoating, hate speech, demonizing the other consequences of exclusion – physical, psychological, emotional (trauma, self-pity, fighting back),  ethnophaulisms, marginalization, intolerance, mistrust

the features of exclusion – Exclusion is irrational, hurtful, destructive and subtractive. It creates tensions, creates scapegoats, uses negative words, results in us-they world, leads to further incomprehension and misunderstanding, creates suspicion, can provoke conflict.

when people are excluded they feel self-doubt, self-pity, anger, hate, and frustration, bitter, resentful

a culture of tolerance for diversity.

difference and diversity are not enough reasons for mistrust between people

Tolerance is a virtue.

Tolerance breeds more tolerance.

Difference and diversity enrich, we can build on these. But to do so, we need to include others.

We are all unique and same at the same time different. I am like you, you are like me, but yet each one of us is different. The “Ebony and Ivory on the key board” song by Stevie Wonder brings out this enriching aspect diversity.

The principle of reciprocity – you accept me, I accept you.

Discrimination, bias, stereotyping make bad sense