Today’s world is one that is comprised of an enormous amount of different cultures, religions, people, and beliefs, and that is precisely what makes it so interesting and lively, especially here in the United States, one of the most diverse countries on the planet. Except there’s one problem. Although the United States is made up of many groups of immigrants from across the rest of the world, there is a strong tradition of assimilation into the “American way of life.” This can take away a lot of the focus on the amazing diversity that could be present in the country and replaces it with a sort of uniformity that dulls people’s senses to different cultures and ideas and makes them seem alien.

When people are so focused on their own way of life and their own beliefs, the result is narrow-minded viewpoint of the world around them. Then when they are faced with something that has the slightest suggestion of something that isn’t in accordance with their own culture or religion, they panic and make a big deal out of it. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people that accept different beliefs and cultures with open arms. But then there are others who shy away from anything that contradicts what they think, and that’s led to a ridiculous situation where people actually get offended when something kind of, sort of, not really suggests an affiliation with a foreign culture, religion, or viewpoint that they don’t share.

For example, when I was hired for my job at a local retirement community, I was given a packet of rules to learn the basics of my employment. While skimming through, I came across a quiz question that was about what do to if a resident had a symbol of their faith in his or her room, and an answer was advise them to take it down because it may offend someone. What? Why should anyone get offended if a person had a cross, a Star of David, or any other religious symbol in their own private bedroom? People must actually get offended that someone practices a different religion than they do if the situation has to be addressed. If it doesn’t affect you- don’t worry about it.

Also, in a world with so many different variations of people, there are obviously many differing views on the most controversial topics in the country, and if one person supports one view, someone else on the other end of the debate will be insulted. If it’s not you why even make a fuss about it? Contrary to those people’s beliefs, it doesn’t help anyone.

The way I see it, getting offended about someone else’s personal beliefs or religion is like getting offended that someone else isn’t on a diet when you are. If a stranger was sitting near you at a restaurant eating cake, but you were stuck eating lettuce, it makes no sense for you to get offended just because they practice something different than you do.

With so many different beliefs, religions, and cultures, people need to start becoming more open minded and pride themselves less about their own opinions and practices. Differing opinions and cultures are what make life so interesting, and the more those things gets suppressed because a minority complains about it, the less future generations will be exposed to the wonderful diversity. If the country catered to every single person and took care to censor the beliefs that for some reason offended someone, the United States would be an extremely gray and standardized country, not to mention based on a violation of the Constitution. To avoid anything like that happening, people’s time would be better served focusing on better things that may actually help the world instead of getting offended at every little thing. If someone wants to live in their own standardized bubble they can go right ahead, but they shouldn’t be trying to force everyone else into it too.