Letter from Nicole A. Dillingham

Our Diversity Is Our Strength

In his opinion piece last week, Mr. Johnston relied on the familiar quotation that “a house divided cannot stand,” lamenting the diversity and lack of unanimity on many issues he sees in our country. But this metaphor goes too far; it should not be applied to undermine the role of dissent in a democracy.

Our country is less like a house and more like a village, whose residents have different religions, opinions, sexual orientations, and political goals. Acceptance of diversity, not crushing it, is crucial to life in such a village. Tolerance and respect for different cultures and beliefs is precisely what makes America unique and strong.

According to Mr. Johnston, visitors to the World Cup were surprised that the Americans they met were friendly, welcoming and generous. This may say more about our current president than it does about ordinary Americans. Perhaps it is President Trump who has projected an image of America that is false. Too often he has chosen to criticize Americans for their political and personal choices instead of seeing all Americans, even Democrats, as equal members of a Great Society that celebrates freedom in religion, art, sexuality, reproductive choice, and politics. America is great and welcoming because of its diversity, not despite it.