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A Diverse America is a
Better America
Delivered by Janis F. Kearney,
Chicago's Woodson Public Library
February, 2003
Good evening. It's wonderful being here with
you, at the Carter G. Woodson Public Library. And,
it's a special honor to serve as keynote speaker
for your Annual African American Heritage Month
kick-off. Your theme for this year: Celebrating
Diversity, is a timely one, and a topic that means
a great deal to me.
Just as touching for me, I must admit, is this
setting… this beautiful public library named
for that great African American educator,
publisher and historian, Carter G. Woodson. This
evening incorporates my love of libraries, and my
esteem for Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who planted the
seed for African American history -- the impetus
for us learning and appreciating our past.
As Sherri mentioned, I am currently completing
two book projects -- one is a personal memoir,
entitled
Cotton Field of Dreams,
about my experiences in the pre-civil rights south,
and my journey from the cotton fields of Gould,
Arkansas, to the white house. It is a bitter-sweet
tale of under-educated parents who had the vision
to allow their children to dream…and how my
dreams took me on such an amazing journey.
My other book, entitled Conversations:
William Jefferson Clinton … from Hope to
Harlem, is a biography that chronicles Bill
Clinton's lifelong race journey, and, his lifelong
passion to resolve America's race issue, as well as
his relationship with the African American
community - beginning long before he became
president of the united states.
Ironically, William Jefferson Clinton was the
first president of the United States to really
address the issue of race relations, and diversity
-- using his position in the oval office to bring
the issue to the national level.
I vividly recall his first speech, announcing
his One America initiative, in San Diego,
California, and his words, that: "There is no magic
wand the government or organizations can wave to
bring about lasting racial conciliation…it
will require us to close the book on our past, and
turn a new page in history…this is primarily,
now, a journey of the heart…" I remember
thinking how true those words were. The real work
when it comes to race relations, comes from within,
not without. So, tonight, I will speak from that
premise -- that diversity is more a matter of the
heart, than it is a matter of laws and government
policies.
But, getting back to the great Dr. Woodson, the
creator of black history month -- I wanted to say
that I feel a special kinship to this great man,
not that I could ever rise to his greatness, but
because his heritage mirrors my own to some
extent.
He, like me, grew up in an impoverished
environment, and was taught early on the benefits
of a solid education. There is no question that his
parents must have been much like mine…and,
instilled in him as a child the necessity of
seeking one's destiny through education.
While Dr. Woodson grew up in Virginia, and
worked in the coal mines most of his youth, my
parents were sharecroppers, and -- at the age of
seven, I joined my family chopping cotton each
summer; and picking cotton each fall. I was luckier
than many of my siblings who missed a quarter of
the school year, picking cotton. Amazingly, when
they returned to school in the winter, they quickly
moved to the top of their classes.
Even though Dr. Woodson was not able to attend
school until he was 20 years old, amazingly, he
graduated from school in two years, taught school
at home and abroad; and, in 1912, was one of the
first African Americans to receive a PhD from
Harvard University. Similarly, a number of my
siblings left the cotton fields of Gould, Arkansas
to matriculate from such colleges and universities
as Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Brown
universities…places my parents could only
dream of as possibilities for their offspring.
Most importantly, however, was Dr. Woodson's
belief that no man could truly know himself unless
he first understood his past. While we refer to Dr.
Woodson as the father of African American history,
we should recognize that his task was almost
insurmountable, given the fact that prior to his
efforts, this field had been almost completely
ignored by white America; and, distorted by those
with less interest or investment in sharing the
truths about our contributions.
Without question, it is this great man we have
to thank for forums such as this, opportunities for
-- not just black Americans, but all Americans, to
recognize, to remember our contributions, how far
we've come, and those people, like Dr. Woodson, who
helped us get here.
Thank you, Chicago Public Library, and staff for
giving me this great opportunity. Especially Sherri
Erving, Chair, of Chicago Public Library's African
American services committee, and Beverly Cook, also
with the library, whom initially spoke to me about
this forum. I thank you all for inviting me, and by
the look of the audience, you are doing an
excellent job of marketing the library system, and
your annual program.
This is only my second year in Chicago. My
husband and I moved here from Washington, D.C., in
2001; and eight years before that, we were living
in our home town of Little Rock., Arkansas. I can
truly say, as much as I love my home state, as
memorable as my experiences were in the capital
city, I quickly decided -- in spite of your winters
-- that Chicago is the most exciting, and
enchanting city I have ever visited. We couldn't
have chosen a better place to call home.
I mentioned earlier that I hold public libraries
in such awe, and I thought I would expand a little
on that, so you'd know it wasn't just a strange
obsession I have..
I guess it's like a child who grows up all his
life wanting certain things -- a bicycle, a train
set, a certain doll… books were my secret
escape growing up. since the time my father taught
me to read before I was five years old; books have
been my friends through thick and thin, helping me
resolve many issues over my lifetime, and making up
for the many things I missed out on throughout my
lifetime.
But, there were two problems I had during that
time: the fact that I grew up in an impoverished
home -- where there were far too many children for
my parents to be able to afford the esoteric things
in life such as books; one of my most vivid dreams
was to be able to read as many books as I wanted to
when I grew up… I grew up yearning, dreaming
about books.
And, secondly: Because I grew up in the 50's,
and early 60's, in the segregated south, I was
faced with another problem. Black children were not
allowed in the one library that did exist in Gould,Arkansas. I now pass that small brown brick
building I realize that it is so much smaller than
it seemed when I was a child -- yearning to walk
through those doors, and touch the books sitting in
their shelves.
But Gould's city library -- that one room
building -- was just one of the many institutions
that carried the un-written warning: whites
only, in America's south.
So, I can truthfully tell you that my parents'
love for books, mixed with the fact that I was
barred from that one-room brown brick library,
helped plant that seed, which grew into an
obsession -- for books, and reading, and for
writing. These same obsessions became a driving
force throughout my life.
It was that love for books and creating stories
that took me from the cotton fields of Gould, to
the University of Arkansas where I gained a
journalism degree.
It was that obsession to write my own stories
that took me from Arkansas state government as
director of information, to Daisy Bates' historical
Arkansas State Press newspaper, where I was hired
as her managing editor in august of 1987; that
encouraged my audacious decision to -- three months
later - purchase Daisy Bates' newspaper, becoming a
newspaper publisher at the age of 34.
It was my love and obsessions that took me from
Little Rock, Arkansas to the white house, first as
a media affairs officer, then as director of
communications for the small business
administration; then back to the white house as the
president's personal diarist -- a role I wouldn't
have imagined in my wildest dreams.
It has been a strange and wonderful path that
began and ends with my obsession with books and
creating stories. And, a path that brings me here,
to this auspicious library, on this wonderful
occasion. Chicago public library's theme this year,
for black history month, is: Honoring
Diversity. I like your theme. I applaud it. My
path, my journey attests to the wonders of
diversity. My mentors, my guides, my teachers have
represented a vast mixture of ethnicities and
cultures, and my life has been richer because of
that.
Just a few months after my husband and I moved
to Chicago, I detected one huge difference between
Little Rock, Arkansas; and Chicago. I wonder if
anyone in the audience might guess what that major
difference might be? Well, I'll help you out... it
has something to do with the theme I just
mentioned. It has everything to do with
diversity.
Although the demographics in the state of
Arkansas have changed pretty drastically since we
moved away; when we lived there…we rarely,
very rarely, saw any ethnic group other than black
American or white American.
I was first introduced to another race for the
first time, during elementary school when a family
of migrant workers moved into our small town of
Gould. It was during the winter, and the family
remained in Gould throughout the spring. They were,
like many migrant families throughout the country,
passing through…waiting for the next migrant
season to roll around.
I will never forget the friendship that evolved
between a young Mexican girl from that family, who
happened to be in my class, and myself. Though I
never saw her again after that one semester,
because her parents left, our friendship left a
lasting impression on me; and, what I learned over
those few months about diversity, about how
people's differences does not make them less human,
or whole -- but makes relationships richer.
The next time I encountered a person of a
different race, I was a teenager. My parents
traveled to a town 10 miles from my home, to shop
at a grocery store that happened to be owned by the
Lee family -- who turned out to be Asian Americans.
I can imagine my eyes must have been as round as
saucers, for the only other time I'd seen Asians
was on a war movie -- and, I never in a million
years would have imagined that we had Asians living
in Arkansas!
I also would never have dreamed at that, one
day, time that two of my very dearest friends in
life would be Asian Americans -- one, now resides
in Arkansas, after traveling to this country as a
child , from Taiwan; and the other resides in
Canada, with her family who migrated years ago,
from Japan.
Of course, when I went to college at the
university of Arkansas in the early `70's, I
quickly realized just how much more diverse the
academic environment usually is, than the general
community. There were students representing just
about every ethnic group I could imagine. My
interest in learning more about diverse cultures
expanded greatly during my college years.
Ironically, I Worked six years for a state
agency -- The Migrant Student Data Bank, whose
primary responsibilities were to keep track of
migrant students -- mostly Hispanics -- as they
moved from one school district to another
throughout the country.
This nationwide computer system, with networks
in regional offices across the country, worked day
and night to assure that migrant students' academic
and health records arrived at their schools at the
same time they did. I can truthfully tell you this
was one of the most gratifying jobs I ever held. It
was a great mission, and it allowed me the
opportunity to learn even more about the
challenges, but also the richness of a diverse
society.
In the late 80's, and early 90's, given my
interest in diverse cultures, I served as a
full-time volunteer and coordinator for Arkansas'
cultural exchange program; in which I was
responsible for hosting foreign groups, and
individuals visiting our state. it was a very
fulfilling role, and I made some lifelong friends
who gave me even a deeper appreciation for racial
and cultural diversity.
I couldn't begin to measure how much richer my
life has been because of these experiences.
Considering the fact that I grew up in an
environment that lacked racial diversity, I was
blessed to meet and learn a great deal about
diverse ethnic groups, cultures and people with
diverse life experiences. Of course, the first step
in this whole life experience began with my desire
to learn cultures other than my own; and my
parent-taught belief that diversity was a positive
thing.
So, when I moved to Chicago, and saw how many
ethnicities and cultures reside here, this was one
of the many facets of this great city that
attracted me to it.
In my estimation, it is a blessing that children
are learning so early in life that this world is
made up of many, many different ethnic and cultural
groups…and, are experiencing these
differences. That, children are being taught early
in life about their own heritages, as well as the
heritages of the diverse populations with whom they
interact from day to day.
I was in Little Rock, recently, delivering a
lecture on the late Reverend Martin Luther King,
Jr. After my lecture, I was interviewed by one of
the local stations, there. One of the questions
asked was, Why is it, that 50 years after the
civil rights struggle, racism continues to
thrive?
My answer to them…and, to you, is: In spite
of America's economic, technological and even
social accomplishments… in the area of race
relations, we have not yet arrived. Racial
tolerance, accepting our differences is something
we, as a nation, yet struggles with.
I also said that: as long as there is a refusal
to accept differences, a refusal to address the
problem of racism -- a distrust of other races
outside our own, not only will racism continue to
thrive; but, there we will never arrive at the
point whereas America, as a nation, truly
celebrates diversity.
In this 21st century, there is still so much we
don't know about people who live right next door,
or down the street. And, unfortunately, what we
don't know scares us, and the way we express fear
about another person or another race, is to
distrust them, to dislike them, or to even hate
them -- for no other reason than the fact that we
don't understand our differences.
Secondly, the reporter asked me, `What, then
is the answer…how do we "fix" what continues
to haunt America?'
Of course, that's the 64 billion dollar
question. I certainly don't have a definitive
answer. But, one answer might be: We should all, as
responsible 21st Century Americans, begin as early
as childhood teaching our children, and
acknowledging to ourselves that no individual, no
race, no culture is an island. Certainly, not in
this new global universe.
The world, in fact, is made up of many people
who neither look alike, think alike, dress alike or
worship alike. Yet, who is to say which is the one,
"right" way, to look, think, dress, or worship? Why
is it not possible for each of us to learn
something from the other -- to build on our
differences, rather than failing to acknowledge
their authenticity?
The answer has to be somewhere between
understanding and accepting our differences. We
could begin by starting dialogues, setting up open
forums…whatever we can come up with, that
encourages people to talk to one another. To
express who we are, what we are about; to confront,
and take the sharp edges off our differences.
Celebrating diversity is a worthy dream, and I
believe in it with all my heart, and I know so many
others who do. But, I also believe that it is only
through conscience, consistent and open dialogue -
that America, as a nation, as a people, will arrive
at the point of honoring and celebrating
diversity.
It is only through ongoing and honest dialogue
between people of different races and backgrounds
and cultures that Americans will begin to trust and
believe that differences don't subtract from
America's greatness; but, strengthens our already
powerful nation.
Just imagine, for one minute, what it would be
like if every other person in this room looked just
like you, thought just like you, acted just like
you…
Is this the type of world you would prefer over
a world with diversity?
If everyone brought the same strengths to the
table; if everyone thought just like everyone else
-- America would not be the America we know today.
But, the truth of the matter is that America could
be even greater, if we honored our differences,
accepted our diversity, and took advantage of all
of our strengths.
I grew up in an amazingly large family -- there
were 17 children in the family I grew up
in…and, during holidays, and family reunions,
there were even more - 17 children, plus their
spouses, plus their children.
Besides the fact that I grew up with a lot of
siblings, we are all very different. We all have
our own ideas about just about everything in
existence. We are all opinionated. But, does that
fact -- our differences -- take away from the
strength of our family? No. We are a very close
family. We are supportive. We are there for each
other. We are proud that we have strong, diverse
ideas and ways. That diversity makes us a more
interesting group of people. Can you imagine 17
children who all thought exactly alike?
So, diversity, I honestly believe, is a
God-given gift to our communities, to this country,
and to this world. Just as He made some birds one
color; some with long legs, others, with
wide-spanning wings; and others whose wings are so
small as to be useless as far as flying…
Why He made daisies, and roses, and
petunias…and, even stink weeds. Why He made
red dirt and black dirt, and four different
seasons. Imagine, for just one moment, what this
world would be like with just roses -- no petunias,
no daffodils, no violets, lilies, or
chrysanthemums…
Imagine a world with just pine trees…no
firs, no redwoods, no elms, cedars or weeping
willows.
Today, America is waging a conflict within,
centered around how we deal with diversity. This is
a serious conflict, because diversity is here to
stay. Without getting into the political
controversy, I am a strong proponent that a diverse
work place, a diverse place of learning makes for a
richer life experience, and in the end, a better
America.
We should all remember that it takes just one
person to be the catalyst to change; to help a
nation change its views about others, the
stereotypes we hold about a whole group or a race
of people. It takes just one individual within his
or her community…and, it makes no difference
what color they are, where they were born, what
language they speak. It is the content of their
character, the levity of their actions.
Because, in the end, we are all human beings --
and that identifier comes before any other. Our
worth, then, has less to do with our racial or
ethnic identity, and more to do with our strength
as individuals; one courageous action by one human
being can help change old beliefs, old stereotypes,
pervasive "isms" human beings are prone to
embrace.
Throughout my life I have had the privilege of
meeting great individuals from world views of
people like them. Those visionaries have come in a
variety of races, sexes, and backgrounds.
What is important about tonight, this occasion,
and our Honoring Diversity, is that neither
America, nor the world can go backward. America, in
this 21st century will be defined by its diverse
population. We just learned recently that the
Hispanic population has grown to the extent that it
may now be the largest minority in the U.S. What
must America do to embrace this new America -- to
embrace a population whose culture may differ from
our own?
What is important, given this certainty, is that
we as a country, as a community, and as individuals
begin to embrace this new world. That, we accept
the fact that diversity can be a good thing; and
the sooner we as a community, as a country, as a
world, realize that -- the quicker we can get on
about the business of learning to live
together.
Think back to what it was like when you left the
emotional security of your home, and went away to
college? For many of us, our first days in college
also meant the first time we roomed with anyone
other than a sibling.
You may have been lucky enough to room with some
one you knew, and already liked -- someone much
like you. Many of us weren't. For many of us, the
person we ended up rooming with was nothing like
us. But, most of us quickly realized that the only
way we could "get along," for the semester -- or
the year ; the only way we could expect to enjoy
our shared space, was to get to know each other's
likes and dislikes, to learn to tolerate our
differences.
While that may have taken weeks, or even months
-- if we put any effort into it, we both grew from
it, we learned from it, and we may even have ended
up lifelong friends, and better human beings.
Sometimes…I now know, it takes just one
person in our lives to make a dramatic difference,
to open our eyes to the fact that the color of a
person's skin, their dialect, has nothing to do
with the content of their character.
People like South African President Nelson
Mandela, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Ghandi, President
John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks,
and President William Jefferson Clinton… a
diverse group, for sure -- but each of these great
people did something in their lives that made us
see how contributions to our world sometimes come
from unexpected places. Often times we benefit from
the work of people who look nothing like us.
I have been fortunate over the years to have had
so many wonderful and great people participate in
my life's successes. Coming from such a large
family, I guess that's understandable…but,
there were so many mentors who had no familial
responsibility to my success.
There were the teachers and friends and
supervisors and mentors that I met during my
journey. Those who may have said just one thing
that stayed with me over the years, or who was
there when no one else was; or, who gave me that
once in a life-time opportunity to prove something
to myself and the world…and, those who simply
lived their lives in a way to make me believe in
mankind, and, that anything is possible. These
mentors, these angels, these friends for life came
in all shapes, all sizes, different colors, and
cultures.
It takes just one person to touch a life and
make a difference; and, when that happens, it
doesn't matter whether that person is black or
white, or green or blue. It doesn't matter if
they're old or young, rich or poor. But, I can
guarantee you that it will always be someone with
courage. Someone brave enough to ask that very
important question: Why not?
As you celebrate diversity this month, I ask you
to remember, that:
It takes one nation to make a difference in the
world;
It takes one community to make a difference in
this nation;
It takes one family to make a difference in
their community;
And, it takes just one person to make a
difference in their family…that person could
very well be you.
It is my hope…even my prayer…that this
great country, whose history has been opening its
ports and welcoming diversity for so long; does not
stop now. My hope is that we will all begin to work
together to "close the book" on our racial past,
and open our hearts to those who are different.
Honoring diversity, strengthening America…are
goals worth working toward.
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