Replying to "Difference"

In South Africa I watched a cultural program aimed at teens hosted by two youths each conversing in their own language, Afrikaans and, English.

Sometimes guests would speak one of eleven official languages, from Zulu to Xhosa... There was no translation, no subtitles. Each responded to the other in their own language. As someone who could only understand English, I was surprised that I could fairly follow the gist of the conversation.

It was a demonstration of profound respect for differences - not tolerance, but respect. I know enough about your language to understand it.

At the time, I was working with a local TV station. Within the walls of the station, employees lived what this South African show provided: profound respect for differences. French and English each spoke in their own native language, but understood the other's language. No translators necessary.

The problem, as I saw it, was that this respect never got translated onto the TV screen. Being a station of one of two language groups in the city, they heartily defended one side on air and misrepresented the other.

The suggestion to air a program with bilingual hosts was met with disbelief. "We defend this language, without us, this language would not have a defender!"

As if these two different languages could not co-exist without being a threat to the other.

Do our differences inherently pose a threat to the "other"?

I am inclined to think so. If not... why the resistance?

Difference

Last night I attended a special book reading by a local writer who moved here from Argentina in 1997. He short stories were written in Spanish and English with an intentional message of bringing in a cross-cultrual audience. As I looked at the room of 100 or so people from all walks of life and colors, I was struck by the comfort and ease of the group. This prompted me to refelct on both the outcome that emerged from the author's intention and the lesson that blending differences is far more interesting and hopeful than segregating people.