Individual Diversity

by Mike Turner / March 2nd, 2025

Let us celebrate individualism
each of us being unique
Possessing inherent rights
Of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Each free to pursue our dreams
Building on our abilities and talents to prosper and thrive
It may be said, then
That in collection and community, each of us being individual
We are as a group, diverse
Our diversity being
An essential element of our democracy
For democracy exists to ensure our freedom to be individuals
And collectively, to be diverse
Similarly, our democracy ensures that we equally share opportunities
Each with the same chance to prosper
With the assurance that the laws of society will be equitably applied to all
So we see that equity, too, is an essential element of our democracy
Moreover, this quality of equity insures that none are excluded
From the fruits of democracy
Nor that our inherent rights are infringed
But rather that all are included in the benefits of our free society
Thus we see that Diversity
Equity
Inclusion
Far from being divisive concepts
Are at the very core of our Nation’s principles
Being the lofty ideals we aspire to as a people:
Upholding our individualism, opportunity, and freedom
They being the underpinnings
Nay, the very essence
Of what we hold the American Dream to be

Mike Turner is a retired member of the U.S. Government’s Senior Executive Service. He served a 27-year career as a law enforcement professional in the Departments of Defense, Treasury, Homeland Security and Commerce. In retirement, Turner has had a second career as an award-winning songwriter and poet. His poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including Dissident Voice. He can be contacted at www.MikeTurnerSongwriter.com. Read other articles by Mike.

This article was posted on Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 at 8:00am and is filed under Poetry.