How Different Are We?

Walking down the street in our neighborhoods or downtown, we see all kinds of diversity—in restaurants, in multi-lingual signage and in the people we pass by. For some of us this different-ness can be a bit uncomfortable. But sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones can be enlightening. The Finding Common Ground series has challenged us to rethink some of our long-held assumptions for a new perspective. Given how fast our world is changing, some of these assumptions are due to be reexamined. Our attitude toward “difference” might be one of those concepts.

Science has made great steps forward in helping us understand ourselves. The Human Genome Project is a mapping of the information in our DNA for the development and functioning of human beings. If we think of the variety that we see in humanity we might wonder how much DNA we have in common. The answer surprised me. All human beings share at least 99.5% of the same DNA. The differences that we see in each other come from just one half of one percent of our DNA. That’s not very much. Science also tells us that the physical differences are related to the geographic origin of our ancestors as they adapted to their environments. Darker skin protects from intense sun while lighter skin a walking down the street in our neighborhoods or downtown, we see all kinds of diversity—in restaurants, in multi-lingual signage and in the people we pass by. For some of us this different-ness can be a bit uncomfortable. But sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones can be enlightening. The Finding Common Ground series has challenged us to rethink some of our long-held assumptions for a new perspective. Given how fast our world is changing, some of these assumptions are due to be reexamined. Our attitude toward “difference” might be one of those concepts.

Science has made great steps forward in helping us understand ourselves. The Human Genome Project is a mapping of the information in our DNA for the development and functioning of human beings. If we think of the variety that we see in humanity we might wonder how much DNA we have in common. The answer surprised me. All human beings share at least 99.5% of the same DNA. The differences that we see in each other come from just one half of one percent of our DNA. That’s not very much. Science also tells us that the physical differences are related to the geographic origin of our ancestors as they adapted to their environments. Darker skin protects from intense sun while lighter skin absorbs more sun in climates with less sunlight. Straight hair holds in heat to the head in cold weather, while curly hair helps cool your head in the heat. All these adaptations have helped humanity survive.

Isn’t it possible that the importance of this one half of one percent of our genetic differences has been blown out of proportion? What about the other 99.5% of us that is the same? We all care about our families. We all want our children to be healthy. We all want our neighborhoods to be safe spaces. These are the same aspirations of human beings, wherever they live and whatever spiritual path they may follow. The conflicts and pain that shout at us from the news feeds are caused by ideological differences that overshadow all that we have in common. Let’s rethink this. Let’s consider what can bring us together. Walking down the street in our neighborhoods or downtown, we see all kinds of diversity—in restaurants, in multi-lingual signage and in the people we pass by. For some of us this different-ness can be a bit uncomfortable. But sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones can be enlightening. The Finding Common Ground series has challenged us to rethink some of our long-held assumptions for a new perspective. Given how fast our world is changing, some of these assumptions are due to be reexamined. Our attitude toward “difference” might be one of those concepts.

Science has made great steps forward in helping us understand ourselves. The Human Genome Project is a mapping of the information in our DNA for the development and functioning of human beings. If we think of the variety that we see in humanity we might wonder how much DNA we have in common. The answer surprised me. All human beings share at least 99.5% of the same DNA. The differences that we see in each other come from just one half of one percent of our DNA. That’s not very much. Science also tells us that the physical differences are related to the geographic origin of our ancestors as they adapted to their environments. Darker skin protects from intense sun while lighter skin absorbs more sun in climates with less sunlight. Straight hair holds in heat to the head in cold weather, while curly hair helps cool your head in the heat. All these adaptations have helped humanity survive.

Isn’t it possible that the importance of this one half of one percent of our genetic differences has been blown out of proportion? What about the other 99.5% of us that is the same? We all care about our families. We all want our children to be healthy. We all want our neighborhoods to be safe spaces. These are the same aspirations of human beings, wherever they live and whatever spiritual path they may follow. The conflicts and pain that shout at us from the news feeds are caused by ideological differences that overshadow all that we have in common. Let’s rethink this. Let’s consider what can bring us together.

O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land. -- Baha’i Writings

We hope you will join us for the Finding Common Ground coffee and conversations:

August 16, Saturday

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

IKE Box Cafe

299 Cottage St., Salem.

We will be in the community room, near the Chemeketa St. entrance. Everyone is welcome!