Diverse City
I think I’m in a traffic jam on the road to Diverse City. Well, I’ve got time to sit and consider some of the drivers. I don’t know them all. So, of course, I won’t be able to tell their stories, let alone their thoughts. I’m just thinking out loud. On my Tumblr.
Right off, I notice that their are some drivers that only came this way out of curiosity. They don’t treasure Diverse. Or at least they’re not familiar. But they did read Webster’s definition of diversity. And they sure do like that description. Maybe Diverse City is a place for them. What’s the harm in going to see? They’ve been hearing from some friends that it’s not hard to get there, either. It doesn’t take much effort. Sometimes it’s just a podcast away. It’s been down the road all along; they just hadn’t ever heard of it.
So they hop on the road. What they didn’t anticipate is the large amount of folks who are also wanting to go and see this magical place. Some of them plan on moving there.
The highway is crowded. Very crowded. But everyone seems to know that you don’t want to NOT have been to Diverse City. Even though they would rather turn around, and they definitely eye every exit that they pass, they wouldn’t dare do that. What will they say when their friends ask how it was? Diversit...oops - Diverse City has a lot of visitors, and even citizens, that aren’t really fans. They couldn’t leave soon enough. Honestly, though, no one of them is gonna say that to anyone. That won’t help their reputation. And nothing is more important in their city than image and reputation. I assume.
It’s not that they hate it. There’s the one part of it that reminds them of home. They love that neighborhood. Living there wouldn’t be so bad. It’s almost like that part of the City was made just for them. They could live there and not even have to deal with Diverse City and still be in the fastest-growing city in America. Hmm.
Some of the folks on the road to Diverse City didn’t get in the car out of curiosity. They’re convinced. They don’t know what Webster’s Dictionary says about diversity. But they know that they’re welcomed there. Diverse City is the place for them. The real harm for them is not going there. They’re fine with the traffic. Everything valuable they know comes with a steep price. If patience is what it takes, they don’t mind waiting in this crowd. And they can see some of the benefit already. The traffic is getting lighter ‘cause some of the cars are getting off on the exits on the way. It can almost be said that it’s good for them. They gladly give a respectful nod to the caravans that sincerely bow out, no longer giving in to the pressure to visit or live in Diverse City. That’s a good thing! Who wants another waitress that isn’t glad to see you, principal that only loves some of the students, committee that will never be committed to Diverse City? Another Five Guys that wouldn’t dare open up in your area? There are plenty of places someone like these could be.
It’s not that these convinced people hate the curious. There are just those parts of them that remind the convinced of home. They grimace from time in those neighborhoods. Living here is so good. It’s almost like this city was made just for them. They can live here and take pride in being a real person of Diverse City, and its growth does nothing but enhance their lives.
Diverse loves its people. All of them. It’s why some have found home there that never had home before. Even some of the curious get in their cars daily in their new homes as the newly convinced. They belong here. The drivers on the road to Diverse City that were lost and almost out of gas wound up in the most beautiful place they’ve ever seen. The joyriders now walk around with joy. Racists race to their former foes, when they almost decided to stop in neighboring towns. This place is special. And it’s odd. Traffic doesn’t jam up here. It grows its people. They somehow, through really living here and choosing to be here, become more patient with the others. But they also speed up for others. Slow cars stay in the right lane!
Nobody ever forgets that the road here was their road here. It came from somewhere. They know that all roads don’t lead to Diverse City. But they definitely hope that the roads that so many people are on do.













