202 - Honor the Texas flag, and other diversities

I had never recited a state Pledge of Allegiance until I moved to Texas.

I wasn't even aware there were state pledges but I've since learned that 17 of the US States have a pledge to their flag.

When I went to school, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag every day, with our hands over our hearts and eyes on the flag.

50 States, one pledge, the Pledge of Allegiance unified us.

But Texas is different. At almost every business event I attend, Texans say the Pledge of Allegiance to both the US and Texas flags.

I might be wrong, but to recite a pledge of allegiance to 2 separate entities, for example, could create a division in loyalty.

Depending on how you look at it, some things unify in one respect yet divide in another.

Diversity is a hot topic today, but how cognizant are we that diversity also keeps us separated?

The beauty of diversity is that it accentuates our uniqueness.

The beauty of sameness is that it accentuates our likeness.

Does singling out one's race, gender, ethnicity, or anything else, diminish the unification of humanity as a whole?

Are we missing the big picture by focusing on the details?

I celebrate the day when we will equally embrace our sameness and our diversity.

How can we balance diversity and equality to achieve unity?

#diversity #inclusion #equality #respect #leadership