Julio. Exactly. How do we begin to visit a place of balance? For me, one of the most extraordinary things of any world view, any cultural perspective, is that it’s so transparent to the one living in it. We don ‘t say, “This is my cultural perspective”; we say, “This is the way it is.” Culture? What culture are you talking about? We need to make a huge effort to observe how we observe. Observation, for us, is transparent. We don’t claim this is the way I see; we claim this is the way that it is. Every time that we bring the modesty, the humbleness, and the power of saying this is the way I see it versus this is the way it is, we have immediately an ethical creation. You now are legitimate with your perspective that is different from mine, instead of your saying to me, “You’re wrong.” And when we have that possibility, dance ignites again. Celebration ignites again. Diversity is magnificent. But diversity, when there’s one truth, means a lot of people are wrong already because there’s only one. How do we talk about diversity, claiming one truth? The acceptance of your different perspective is accepted by me, not just tolerated. This is essential to distinguish.
I claim that tolerance is postponed rejection. Acceptance is a very different game. Let’s discuss our differences, but I am not tolerating you. I accept that we have different perspectives and that they enrich our lives. Lend me your eyes and let me lend you mine so that we see a bigger picture.
Bill. It was interesting in Susana’s lsaacson ‘s (2008) interview where she doesn’t talk about acceptance of, but instead about celebration of, diversity. If we look back at philosophical foundations, your work seems to come so much out of that concept of social constructions. You’re talking about the different social constructions people come in with and the way in which language not only represents the different social constructions but is itself one of the building blocks for this construction. You’re honoring different social constructions. But in the midst of that, you’re helping people recognize the nature and impact of their own construction.
Julio. And the social construction claim for me has an aspect that is needed. It is true that we belong to historical discourses and traditions out of which we build whatever reality we build, but it’s also true that the way we build it comes with some innate capabilities and trends. It also comes with some particular historical circumstances of yours. So, if we say social construction, I don’t want to leave aside multiple other forces that are working on you at the same time.
Download Article 1K Club
