As I had mentioned in a previous post, I’m half Puerto Rican and half Korean. Growing up in America as a biracial American was difficult. I struggled to know where I “fit in.” I didn’t look Hispanic, and I didn’t look Korean. I looked more Hawaiian or Filipino, but I wasn’t either . I could only speak English. We tend to gravitate toward people “like” us. It feels important to be part of something or some group. These are normal human longings. As I’ve matured into adulthood, I’ve learned I don’t need to fit into any box. Although no person looks exactly like me, I share many of the same attributes and body parts as all human beings.
Hands
I have hands to shake with to congratulate or thank another person. I can use my hands to help lift someone when he/she is down.
Lips
I have lips to smile with and open when I want to say kind words.
Arms
I have arms to hug a person after a bad day (or just give a hug for no reason at all).
Fingers
I have fingers to write a thank you note or to cook someone a meal who needs it. (I don’t like to cook, so I have fingers to pull my credit card out to pay for a meal for someone else!)
Brain
I have a brain to help guide me in a positive direction.
Heart
I have a heart to feel empathy for those around me.
Kindness, Love, and Respect
There are many different religions, cultures, languages, countries, skin colors, and beliefs in this world. But we all have hands, lips, arms, fingers, a brain, and a heart to help us show kindness, love, and respect for our fellow human beings.
I’ve been blogging off and on for a few years now. I have met some talented bloggers from all over the world. People kill or hurt other humans for differences. I have met friends from all over the world with different religious preferences, skin color, and beliefs, but we all came together for this collaborative blog post out of kindness, love, and respect for one another.
Diversity is fascinating because no two people are alike. We can all gain insight from each other. Please take a moment to read the other blog posts on diversity from bloggers all over the world.
(Side note: Pitch Wars has been kicking my butt! I’ve never typed so much in my life! But I’m happy with the progress I have made on my manuscript! I’ll update more on this later. I hope you are all well!)
Collaboration with a Purpose: Diversity
Sadaf Siddiqi (“The best thing about memories, is one doesn’t realize they are making memories but once recorded, it just rewinds and takes one back to the beautiful series of life.”) Sadaf couldn’t participate with us this time, but she created our picture for this post. Sadaf is a wise teacher with a heart of gold. Please check out her blog if you want to be inspired.
- Addison D’Marko (“If you want to achieve complete happiness one of the things you are going to have to do is care less. By this I mean stop putting so much thought into the things that do not matter.”)
- Barb Caffrey @ Barb Caffrey’s Blog (“So, if you believe in any sort of Higher Power, one of the things you need to remember is to forgive yourself once in a while.”) Diversity: Not Just for Breakfast Anymore
- Camilla Motte @ Moms on the Go (“We want to be help to the helpless. We all need love and support, and I pray this community will be that for you.”)
- Divyang Shah @ i think my way (“If someone don’t speak much, don’t interpret as a dumb, their mind must be working on something very big or may be he is a writer and observing surrounding on which he would come with some deep write-ups.”) Diversity Collaboration
- Jothish Joseph @ TheJothishJosephBlog (“Anybody can write “Extra” before “ordinary” but only people of courage dare to earn it…”) How diverse is diversity?
- Ipuna Black (“None of us are perfect or come from perfect backgrounds, but this doesn’t mean we can’t aim for a positive and fulfilling life. The life we all deserve.”)
- Jane Love @ Harmonious Joy (“People who have a genuine say and a true voice of their own… not just an echo of some celebrity they think they love.”) Everybody is unique
- Mylene C. Orillo (“Where I’m at right now is a testament that ‘Dreams really do come true.’”) How I found diversity in writing
- Sonyo Estavillo @ ‘Lil Pick Me Up (“I am here to champion anyone from the successful and confident folks, to those that are clinically depressed.”) Why Writers and Readers Should Diversify Their Reading List
- Tajwar Fatma @ LifeAsWeHaveNeverKnownIt (“When life hits you hard, hit back harder!”) Tajwar is not participating this time, but she began our collaborations. Therefore, you have to visit her inspirational site.
- Nicolle K @ Stories of a Highly Sensitive Introvert! (“Success, for me, is when I spend my days feeling happy, peaceful, fulfilled and without fear of lack. 😊”) A Chinese Wedding in Southeast Asia Part 1 and Part 2
Très bel article §
Merci
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A lovely post, Ipuna. Thank you for sharing you thoughts on this subject.
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Thank you, Robbie!
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Great post keep rocking it hun 😊
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Hi, Addison! ❤️ Thank you!
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Beautifully said. With the recent destruction in PR, do you have family there?
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Awe, thank you! My father moved away from PR a year ago. My childhood best friend lives there. She is fine. I had no immediate family or friends injured in the storm. Thank you for asking.
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I wish I could press the like button a million times!
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Awe, thank you. ❤️
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Great reminder about diversity, Ipuna. Love the pictures. Good luck and Godspeed on PW. Give ‘em hell warrior writer!
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Oh, and thank you. We all need to hear those words from time to time.
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Whoooo hoooo! I got this! PWs is draining, but I’m pushing through it! An experience of a lifetime.
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This is beautiful Ipuna 🙂 If we would use all these parts like you presented them here, this world we share would be a wonderful place. So happy about your writing. LOL not because it is working you so much, of course, but because you are doing it, making it happen. Can’t wait for your future updates :):)
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Thank you, Margaret! Here is my pitch for the competition. It’s been busy, but I’ve learned and grown a ton. I truly appreciate your support! ❤️
http://pitchwars.org/pw-330-young-adult-contemporary-ownvoices-puerto-rican-korean-empty-gifts/
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You are most welcome. I read your pitch and the excpert and they are wonderful Ipuna 🙂 AND by the looks of the comments you have several people who are interested in your work, and working with you!!! This is so exciting Ipuna. What a blessing this whole journey is for you :):):)
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Hi Ipuna,
you forget to mention your beautiful soul,a soul that unites all mentioned organs into one and which creates a one wonderful human being.You belong to a wonderful species like me, like everyone here and on our beautiful plane .Human species.You really are a bright example of our species.Please stay positive and best regards !
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Ben! Of course, you would include the most important thing all humans share: a soul!!! I’m staying positive. The writing competition has tested that part of me, but we were born to succeed. Therefore, I will push forward!
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Well said, Ipuna! 🙂
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Hi, Cherylene! Thank you!
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It’s true that no two people are alike. I think that having an open heart makes a big difference in our compacity to love without restriction.
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I agree with this awesome post! We all have the same lips to smile, arms to hug and everything, so it’s sad when people (and kids!) push away those who have a different look or skin colour than them. I’m glad to have joined this collaboration for the past few months as I got the opportunity to meet such positive people from different countries and cultures like yourself. ❤️
And good luck once again with your writing! 📝💪🏻
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Thank you, Nicolle! Write away this month! My brain is about fried. ha ha
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Haha, I’m sure mine will be towards the end of the month. 😆
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absolutely lovely 🙂
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Awe, thank you, da-AL!
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This was an incredible post Ipuna! I loved reading every word you wrote!!
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Awe, thank you, Alyssa! ❤️
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My pleasure!!!
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Why doesn’t WordPress have a “love” button? For posts such as this, to like is an understatement.
This is awesome. Love it!
Good luck with your writing, Sunshine.
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Thank you, Jainey! That would be a great button, right?
I’m on my final edits. I should be submitting to agents in about 2-3 weeks. I’m excited and nervous.
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Hi Ipuna! This is the kind of writing I wouldn’t want to miss, and this is only the first time I’ve stopped by here. I love it, it inspires me at the first sight. Reblog, so I have this writing in my own archive 🙂
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Awe, thank you! ❤️
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Reblogged this on Pesona butiza and commented:
This inspires me to be a better writer (blogger) and I hope it inspires you, too.
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Such a great post. You are right, we need not try to fit in, we are all unique in our own ways. Honoured to find my name mentioned.
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❤️
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Such an uplifting and practical post Ipuna. I love how you include yourself in all your posts. In doing so, you invite us in to the kindest and most caring of spaces — your beautiful heart. ♥️🌺
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❤️ Thank you, Andrea!
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♥️♥️♥️
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The struggles of “fitting in” are real! But as we grow old and mature, we learned that being different in a good way is better than fitting in. Indeed, our body parts were created for different purposes, but function as one. Good luck on your Pitch Wars. I know you’ve been really busy. Talk to you soon! Take care and regards to the family.
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Well said, Mylene! Yes, I’ve been super busy. I just sent my book to agents. It’s a waiting game from here. We will see how it goes. I learned a ton in Pitch Wars. I hope you and your family are well! ❤️
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hi, very good article
thanks for sharing, keep up the good work
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Thank you!
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Diversity is beautiful! Thank you for sharing this article and best of luck with your manuscript!
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Thank you!!! ❤️
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