Community’s cultural diversity offers creativity, innovation

I have had good reason to visit individual homes in my community lately while door-belling for a political campaign.

What has struck me is how colorful our neighborhoods have become. On just two or three streets last week I visited families from Russia, Vietnam, China, Africa and Ireland, mixed with many who were second-generation Americans from Europe.

In my own neighborhood, in my own cul-de-sac, there is a family of Ethiopian descent, one from Korea, others from Mexico, and two kids whose parents are Hopi Indian and Cambodian.

For days I have been thinking, “And we all live peacefully together.”

There are instances. We’re not perfect. And we must do whatever we can to stop hatred of all types in its tracks.

But we have a great opportunity here. With different cultures come different life perspectives. If we all work together and listen to each other we have the chance to build a community based on highly creative and innovative solutions.

Let’s do our best to take advantage of these lucky circumstances. With the right type of vision, we could be a model of change for communities across the country.

Cathy Baylor

Lynnwood