Is diversity important in a successful democracy? The definition of diversity is: the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social or ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, cultures, sexual orientations, ethnicities, etc.

It appears to me that a very significant reason our country rose to the height it has is because of our diversity contributing in the areas of science, literature and civil disagreement. The end of Jim Crow laws, women’s right to vote, fairer labor laws and workplace safety, are a few examples of diversity in action.

The cornerstone of this is the respect for every person for their value as a valuable human being who contributes to our overall wellbeing with the freedom to say what they feel and believe without having to fear losing a job, being excluded, intimidated by others, or bringing harm on those they love and care for.

This means listening to honest dialogue so honest dialogue can happen. Dialogue that is meant to block diversity in thought, experiences, personal values of others trashes the value and spirit of diversity. History is full of examples such as Christianity of the Middle Age, the Jim Crow South and before, written and unwritten codes of exclusion.

Our first 10 Amendments to the Constitution stress the importance of diversity as necessary to our democracy. Apparently, our president in punishing his critics and with a compliant Republican Party does not agree with diversity and the first 10 Amendments.