Diversity

November 19, 2008

Yesterday morning at Carlyle on the Green, a restaurant in Bethpage State park, the fifth annual American Jewish Committee (AJC) organized Thanksgiving, Diversity and Inter-Faith Breakfast took place. Long Island's two County Executives Tom Suozzi and Steve Levy were the chief guests and the two honorees were Detective Sergeant Gary Shapiro (since 1995 has been responsible for tracking and coordinating Nassau County's response to hate crimes) and Det. Sergeant Robert Reeks (Special Assistant to the Police Commissioner, Commanding Officer, Hate Crimes Unit of the Suffolk County Police Department since 1998).

Most of the 200 or so guests represented various faith-based and community-based social-service organizations. The emcee was the AJC-Long Island president, Mr. Alon Kapen, and the main speakers were the two county executives. When the first speaker Mr. Levy came to the podium, it was not hard to read his mind. It was clear from the get go that he wanted to clear the air with respect to the recent swirling criticism he had received from the media particularly about how his strict take on undocumented immigrants might have influenced the latest hate crime in Suffolk (see Nov. 13 entry).

People listened intently and when he spoke the words to the effect we all need to live in harmony they clapped. Mr. Levy has probably been so hurt by the words in the media he even went to the extent of embracing one and all into the universal brotherhood fold, including undocumented workers. This was a 180 degree reversal from his previous insistence on stopping anybody suspect for the purpose of checking their documents. His last words were that "words have much meaning." How very true! Sometimes, unfortunately, even unintended meaning.

Mr. Suozzi, much gentler these days in his deliveries, was as charming as ever. What I related to most was what he said about the common use of the term tolerance. This had been my take too when it came to tolerance toward differences. I too had always felt differences and diversity must be celebrated. Tolerance was a totally inappropriate term to be used in this context. It was heartening to hear Mr. Suozzi echo my own sentiments.

Among the Indian attendees were a Sikh contingency and a Hindu one of eight people, seven of them known to me, and half of the eight, doctors. It's marvelous that in spite of their demanding profession, the physicians are able to devote so much time to the community.

All in all, it was a wintry but fun morning at a place set amidst the crisp fall scenery of the park. Much as harmony was the theme and many were gathering in different groups later to contribute toward this idea, an air of competition was present among them. However, this was also marked with a commitment to a cause that perhaps included their own self interest in more than one way. We're only human! Some of us do exploit a cause to further our own personal agendas.

Kudos to AJC (particularly to the behind-the-scenes people like Melissa S. and Carolyne L.) for putting together yet another successful event, which has become so much more relevant at this juncture in history where divisions are waiting in the wings to rear their ugly head.

On the downside, the holiday food donations table didn't seem to be overflowing though unlike past breakfasts. Maybe because this time there was a charge for the breakfast, many folks decided that the $20 they paid to get in was good enough and didn't bring any cans as was suggested by AJC.

Ciao!
Ro.