Maya Angelou – “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
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Welcome to The Daily Quote—a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, and today is October 14th. Let’s dive right in, because today we’re celebrating something pretty special: the International Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity.
A day for celebrating the beautiful variety of cultures that make up this world—and appreciating the fact that no two of us are quite the same.
This day is all about celebrating the differences that make each of us unique—and recognizing the value of understanding perspectives beyond our own.
To go with today’s theme, I’ve picked a quote from the legendary Maya Angelou. She once said:
"It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength."
Now, Maya Angelou had a way of cutting through the noise, didn’t she? This quote brings up two key points: beauty and strength. Both are powerful on their own, but together they create something that’s practically unstoppable. Diversity, in this sense, isn’t just something to be accepted—it’s something to be celebrated.
I mean, think about it. When we talk about cultural diversity, we’re really talking about the rich tapestry of traditions, languages, foods, and ideas that keep our world vibrant. Imagine how bland life would be if we all ate the same meals, wore the same clothes, and listened to the same music. It’s the variety that makes life interesting. As Angelou reminds us, there’s beauty in that difference—but also strength.
Strength, because when we come together, our differences become assets. Whether it’s solving problems or simply building a more inclusive society, diversity gives us the tools to look at things from angles we’d never have considered
But there’s another important layer to Angelou’s quote: the role of teaching. She makes a point that we have to pass this respect for diversity down to the next generation. After all, kids aren’t born with prejudices—they pick them up from the world around them. So, it’s on us to ensure that what they learn about the world and the people in it is positive. That difference means beautiful and strong.
So today, on this International Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity, maybe take a moment to appreciate the world through someone else’s lens. Whether it’s a co-worker, a neighbor, or even just that random person you see at your coffee shop, take in the richness of their story. And hey, who knows? You might end up learning something new about yourself in the process.
Now, before I go, I have to mention something that I missed earlier this week—National Referee Day! I knew it was coming up, but it wasn’t listed on the national holiday website I use to pick out holidays for the show. National Referee Day is a day to recognize and appreciate all the referees out there who help keep the spirit of sportsmanship alive. It’s easy to overlook the people with the whistles, but without them, those games we love just wouldn’t happen smoothly. Speaking of referees, I’m especially excited about this one because my son, Mateo, is a small-sided soccer referee. It’s pretty cool because he absolutely loves the sport, and it’s been a great way for him to earn some money while staying connected to the game. But this week, we got some even more amazing news—Mateo was nominated for Referee of the Year for 2024! We are beyond proud of him. Way to go, Mateo—your hard work, passion, and dedication are paying off with more than just some extra spending money!
Alright, that’s all from me today. Thanks for joining me on The Daily Quote. Remember—unity doesn’t mean we’re all the same; it means we can be different, but still move forward together. And a big thanks to all the referees out there that keep us playing fair and having some fun while playing.
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