Week 10: The Fall of the Berlin Wall

November 8, 2010:  Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place. 

Diversity is not always about “how we look.”  Even people from the same ethnic background who live right next to each other can experience both the joys and challenges of diversity.

Following defeat in World War II, Germany was split into two countries:  democratic West Germany and communist East Germany.  But 21 years ago this week, Communist control suddenly weakened, and exuberant residents of the divided city of Berlin were allowed to tear down the enormous wall that had been separating them from each other.  The Berlin Wall fell. 

Within one year, West and East Germany had re-unified into one country, Germany.  But even though West and East Germans are the same physically, the actual process of unifying as a people has been long and challenging, continuing even until today.  Their experience helps us to understand that in order to truly appreciate our diversity we need to value each other for who we are on the inside. 

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as Berlin, Germany to find diversity.  There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right here at your school.  Find one today!